Safe installation of Sabaru conversion

[Dale R. Hamilton]

So I come across a letter to the editor from Don Eley in a 1997 WB, in which he correctly points out that a sabaru engine as pulled from an automobile cannot be used as a marine conversion. As this is exactly what I am doing now, I'd like to get some information of how to handle a starter, alternator, and distributor to make it be ignition protected. Same WB noted that Mr Eley would be publishing additional details about installation of gasoling engines in a future issue-but my search in the archives has been fruitless. Can anybody advise where to get marine components that would be compatible with this engine? Has anybody solved the problem?

[ion barnes]

I recall that it was about two issues later that an article was printed that discussed the interpetations of the regulations regarding enclosed engine spaces.

The heat exchanger size can be estimated by a marine mechanic, the alternator; you should be able to exchange it for a Delco-Remy with internal regulator, but the distributor and starter might be the stumbling blocks if you can not find ignition protected replacements. A marine engine parts supply house should know where to look.

I remember that there was quite a bit of flak in the letters column of the following issue regarding the author's ideas.

[ 03-16-2005, 12:43 AM: Message edited by: ion barnes ]

[Ruaridh]

I don't know much about getting ignition protected components because I don't think our regulations used to be as onerous as yours in the US, although I'm sure they're probably worse now with all the EU red tape.
But I do have a Subaru car and both the alternator and starter are mounted in a very accessable way, and they look pretty standard Jap components so it's hard to believe there aren't ignition-protected ones available that would (could be made to) fit.
The ignition on ours is fully electronic with no distributor as such, so would probably be fine as is, but maybe you're dealing with an older one?
What I'm curious about (hence the less-than-helpful reply) is the arrangement for exhaust manifolds, I'd have thought with the flat-four they'd end up in a really akward location in the bilges, depending on the type of boat you're fitting to?
I guess you've figured this all out.
Cheers,
Ruaridh.