555 Cummins

[Maggie Harbour]

Lisa ; Saw you had  VT555 in your 42"?  Is it a SF? what year? I think I remember your posts from long ago? I also have 555  but naturals in a 73 42' sf. Did your boat come with those engines or did you change them? I have seen plenty of 38' with the vt555 270hp but never a 42. Sorry about all the questions just curious.

GP

[Kevin McIntosh]

GP and Lisa ... I looked at a '79 42' DCS (while it was up on the hard in Port Townsend, WA) that had Cummins 270HP VT555's ... Cathy J was the boat's name ... used to belong to Michael Straight ... sold in March? of last year ... Kevin Mc

[Bob S]

Maggie, I have been really bad at following this site. I have owned a 42' with Vt555's for 23 years. Is there anything I can answer? They were put in by the previous owner in 1991.

[GP]

I was curious about another boat? We have owned ours for 25 years. Started in Ca. And now live in florida for the past 20. You said previous owner changed yours? were they 555 nats before? That was a simple change same fit. reroute exhaust maybe. I have followed Uniflite for over 25 years. And saw you post way back then. Used to be a good tech board then  now not so much although getting better. just for curiosity what speeds Cruise,WOT

Thanks

GP

[Bob S]

My current engines are VT555 big cam turbo Cummins rated at 270 horsepower with about 3500 hours. I believe the previous engines were Cummins but I can't be positive. I really like these engines which seem to be Bulletproof. I have had a few mechanical issues but most of them have been related to a lost seal of some type. I currently have my first problem in sometime where one of my engines is blowing black smoke after 2000 RPM. My mechanic believes the turbo seals are gone and are sucking oil into the fuel when the turbos kick in. Have you ever had that problem? 

I've had my aft cabin up to 23 knots when I'm light on fuel and water. When I'm loaded I can get to about 21 knots. I can Cruise comfortably at 16 knots and burn approximately 1.3 gallons per mile at that speed.  You?

[GP]

The VT555BC were rated at 320 hp . The vt555m were 270hp and the 555m were rated at 240hp. That's what I have , Your right they are bulletproof . I have BW Velvet drives 3;1 I get @ 12k cruise 2600rpm and wot 3000 14k. always wanted to repower. looked into cummins 6c 450hp but not in the cards now just would not make sense!!!!  

[BoatRDavid]

Bob, I had Detroit 5.2 L engines in my '84, 42' DC.  I had a turbo bearing and of course the seal go out and my engine was plowing White smoke.  Also, the engine oil was disappearing rapidly.