14 OCTOBER 2017 • FOGHORN FOGHORNFOCUS: MARINE PROPULSION PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE PROPELLING EXCELLENCE MARINE GEARBOXES ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AZIMUTH THRUSTERS WWW.KARLSENNER.COM • (504)469-4000 S uffering from climbing main- tenance costs, diminished per- formance, or missed trips from engine failure? If so, you may consider whether to rebuild or completely replace your engine. Among the many factors to consider, operators should weigh the financial, technical and op- erational benefits when making such a decision. Assuming operators are looking to upgrade from an older model, the major advantage of rebuilding an existing engine is the project’s initial capital cost is likely less than replacing it altogether — given that the parts are readily available and that the block has replaceable cylinder liners. However, if the engine has a parent bore block (no cylinder liners), the cylinder bores should be professionally calibrated to ensure they are within manufacturer’s specifications before proceeding with a rebuild. Another benefit of rebuilding existing engines is the potential time savings. However, if operators have the option to replace an engine with one that has a similar footprint and performance criteria, time may not be as big of a factor. Users should also consider the condition of the transmis- sion separate from the engine condition — whether it can be overhauled or if it also requires replacement. While the benefits of rebuilding an existing engine are many, opting for a complete repower is also a viable solution. The electronic engine control and fuel system technology available today offers operators significant ad- vantages in optimizing engine perfor- mance, monitoring and control — more specifically reduction in visible black smoke, vessel acceleration, maneuver- ability, and consumption of fuel and oil, as well as increased engine monitor- ing. Additionally, a repower provides the opportunity to increase propulsion power and vessel speed. What to Consider When Deciding Whether to Rebuild or Repower Your Engine By Vince Rodomista, John Deere Power Systems