Cummins 6CTA in 450EB

[LMBoat]

Hello All,

We are looking at a '99 450 Express Bridge. It has Cummins 6CTA <450HP I'm told>. They only have 800 hours. I'm looking for any & all comments, info, and suggestions on these engines. We will definately have an engine survey done, but am doing my prep work now.

Thank
Larry

 

[Trinity]

best engines they ever made
I have had mine for 10 years and no problems except a fuel line leak once -

 

[LMBoat]

Thanks, Do you think this is enough horses to push a 450 EB?

 

[timjet]

They are considered good marine recreational engines. However they are no better than the maintenance done by the prior owner.

If the boat has not been used much lately consider correcting fuel issues. A good engine survey will uncover the possibility of blow by, an issue common with some Cummins engines.

Ask the owner when the last time the after-coolers where cleaned and inspected. This probably more than any other issues will tell you how he took care of these engines. Does the boat have fresh water flush, multi-stage fuel filtration, and oil changing system. Though few will have all these, it does again tell you what importance the PO put on maintenance and up keep. Just remember, at $100/hr for a diesel mechanic, fixing problems can get expensive. I know and wish I had done things a little differently.

Lastly, get on boatdiesel.com and read through the many posts on this engine and you'll get a feel for what to look for and what needs to be done.

Good luck

 

[dyerstraits]

We purchased a 2001 450 EB in June of this year with the Cummins 6CTA with just under 800 hours. Had the engines surveyed before purchase and at the end of the survey the surveyor suggested we could head for Florida (we live in MD). We love the boat - averaging 18 to 19 gal/hr at 2100 RPM which keeps us around 17 knots with a 700 lb. tender.