Troyboy

I have a spin on conversion on my BMC 1.5 so can only comment on what I have . There are loads of filters that will fit mine many from the VW / Audi group of cars . The actual diameters are Outer 76 mm, Seal diameter 72 mm. Height 119 mm thread 3/4 -16 UNF. Obviously the capacity depends on the length [ stop sniggering at the back ] . Crosland 652 is one filter that fits mine . A filter from an Audi 80 1990 onwards also fits . The one on your engine does look a bit small to me.

Can I ask why you are not blacking the baseplate ? They do rust and your surveyor will be testing its thickness . I know many boatyards are unable to raise the boats high enough to get underneath which I think is the reason many claim it is not necessary . Older boats do seem to have a better quality steel , hopefully previous owners of your boat have maintained it well and blacked the baseplate.

You need a multi-tool , just be careful not to cut through the frame .

Plenty of new ones on Ebay but make sure you get the correct one as there were two different types . If my memory serves me correct the impellor sizes are different .

I have a narrowboat from the 80's with a BMC 1.5 diesel engine and had similar overheating problems to yourself . It was cured by doing away with the skin cooling tank and having boxed section pipes welded along the swim . This was carried out by Charlie Fox [who is sadly no longer with us ] at March . The boats he built were all cooled this way and using this modification means the system now runs unpressurised . I've had no overheating problems since

I have a window that is leaking on my steel narrowboat and intend to remove it and reseal between the frame and steel. The window is aluminium framed manufactured by Wesley windows . On their website Wesley sell Arboseal butyl sealant so I am tempted to use that however I have been told that a local boat painter uses Neoprene tape . I have read other threads on sealing windows but there doesn't appear to be an obvious best product to use . From experience what are the advantages / disadvantages of the various sealing products ? I believe the windows are held in by screws threaded into the steel definitely not rivets . If neoprene tape was to be used what thickness would be required ?

I hadn't heard of Tractol paint until your entry on this thread . I've owned my narrowboat over 35 years and originally it was painted with Woolworths paint which was brilliant easy to apply and a nice shine that lasted a few years however Woolworths paint quality declined so I used other paint. Of course Woolworths are no more but on your recommendation I'm tempted to give Tractol a try , I know preparation is the key but to me paint is to stop the boat rusting and to look half presentable . Was Tractol recommended to you ?

Nor have I but not sure what that has got to do with this thread.

It's actually a 11/64 drill Tony . Cleaning the carbon out made a huge difference to the starting on my BMC 1.5.

13mm baseplate on a 1988 built boat makes me wonder if the baseplate has already been overplated as there weren't many boat builders using 13mm plate in 1988. In reply to the question I agree with Morris no need to overplate 6mm sides because of 1.5mm pits.

What a strange response .

I hope I am wrong but using a boat with a weed hatch that has no gasket and is loose might be seen by insurers as the owner being somewhat negligent. You are about to find out how good your insurers are , hopefully they won't try and wriggle out of paying .

For a simple engine the BMC 1.5 diesel is hard to beat . Parts availability is good and from current Ebay listings you could get a waterpump for £45, 4 glow plugs for £21, Lift pump for £27 and a head gasket set for £22. and be able to fit those yourself as you state you have swopped engines in cars before.

Far more knowledgeable members will be along shortly but my guess would be that you run your engine at tick over when moored up to charge your batteries / provide hot water which results in a build up of unburnt fuel /oil in your exhaust . When you set off and the engine is under load the unburnt fuel / oil burns off causing the smoking for a while . Once the engine gets nice and hot the smoke disappears having burnt away all the residue from tick over running. Diesel engines like to be worked hard not run on tick over or slightly above tick over for hours . As I stated just my guess as a fellow BMC 1.5 owner for many years.