[Trevor Parnell]

I realise its a totally different gear, I was asking about the input spline as I have a new centa coupling to suit a 280, and was wondering if it will fit the 220.

As I also said, I’m thinking not but don’t have the 2 to compare.

 

[Trevor Parnell]

Tony,

I wouldn’t normally but for the availability issues. The TD box gives me another chance to get a near bolt in box, and considering I mounted my rear mounts on the engine instead of the trans I wouldn’t have to modify much at all.

I hadn’t realised it has been out of production for that long either, I thought it was only about 10yrs.

I know there would be some zf220a’s  lying around somewhere but just trying to find them in Australia second hand is the main issue. I could order new but I honestly cant afford that anyway. The couple I have found, the owners are asking near new prices for anyway. 

On another note, is the ZF280’s input spline larger than the 220’s?? I’m thinking yes, but don’t have the 2 to compare.

 

[Trevor Parnell]

Thanks Tony, I appreciate the input.

[Trevor Parnell]

Thanks for the info, that’s the style of reference I’m after. The finer points of making them fit isn’t an issue, I am after a general idea from someone who may have been down this road before to work out (in turn) if its worth chasing something different
Cheers, Trev

[Trevor Parnell]

The main reason I was after boost numbers was that it IS possible to under load an under performing engine and end up with 2 issues. The current engine trans combo used to top out at 18 – 19 knots light load (as far as deck equipment and stuff) and tow a dory at 10 – 12 knots.
I have been looking at transmissions for a while now and only come up with 1 that is used but the owner wants new money for. I am also currently looking at the possibility of changing to a ZF63 as they are more available locally.

[Trevor Parnell]

Tony,

I put the feelers out and may be able to get a low hour ZF 220a at 2 to 1 ratio. Would you consider that to be enough of a drop in ratio?

 

[Trevor Parnell]

The weight added with the tanks and ice boxes would be roughly 1 1/2 tonnes

There is 1 ice box at 270lts, another at 500lts plus an 750 litre water tank.

Fuel supply is very good and the turbo hasn’t ever had a salt bath that I know of (nor the previous owner).

What I found out today was that the turbo cartridge had been replaced at some stage prior to me buying the boat and I suspect it would have been the cheapest thing Evil Bay could have provided as I know the previous owner quite well now.

I have read enough of Tony’s articles to realise that 99.5 percent of times this issue would have to be overloading, and I believe it may well be, but I don’t want to go spending money on slipping, and removing propellors for repitching (which I have already done once) , only to find I could have checked the boost and found an easier problem to fix. The other thing I didn’t mention is — you just don’t seem to hear the turbo at lower rpms like other boats.

 

Off to sea tonight.

 

[Trevor Parnell]

Tony,

Thanks for your timely reply. I have read many of your articles and consider them “maritime gold” for the motorboat owner. I even managed to read the recommended one after my first post.

Quick history — Engine was torn down and inspected, measured and all internals found to be in spec, valves reground, turbo was just bolted back on (no leaks oil, ect, barely perceptible movement in bearings). This was all carried out around 4 years ago, (during overhaul of engine bearers in boat) and the engine may have 1000hrs since. Engine work was done as I had no history on it and I am in the trade. (Diesel Fitter). Boat originally had only 4″ wet exhaust, I replaced it with 5″ as recommended. Prop is a 3 blade 23×16 “mouse ear” style and the gear is a 1.5:1 zf220a. Best I can recall I was getting 2500 at around 18 – 19 kts. Cruising was 10 – 12 kts at 2000-2100.

“Lately” I guess means recently I have started commercially fishing for Coral Trout and so have increased the load on the boat (12 months now) and mostly cruise around 8-9 kts at 1600 but am noticing soot on the back getting a little worse than I remembered from before even at 1600.

I carried out a valve set a fortnight ago as part of normal maintenance, doing fuel filters, oil ect.

To put it on the mark, I guess I’m juggling between a boat loading issue OR engine power issue. The engine runs fine normally, sounds good mechanically (although a little noisy).

To unload the boat from the fish holding tanks and ice boxes would be more bolts and work than it would be to replace the turbo (provided the QSB one will fit ) for testing purposes, so I thought if I had a figure I should see for boost, I could check it and sort out which area to address. I realise that I wont see full boost figures with low RPM’s but there should be a figure at which I’m getting enough air into the engine to run clean(er).

Also, I’m not after the last bit of performance, it just seems like its lacking a bit.

 

 

[Author]

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