Volga Hydrofoils Messageboard

Dear Friends,

We have checked our engine by opening it. The result was unpleasant. Pistons, liners, pumps, bearings, etc ... all need to be replaced.
Does anybody have an address for a reliable source for GAZ spares? I have seen some pistons for 60 rubles, this should be only 2 dollars! Anybody to confirm that this is a reasonable price? (As it is to good to be true?). For the sake to keep the original ''mothersucker of gasoline'' providing the pure russian pleasure ... ?uck, I would go for it! However - intelligence says to turn otherwise to a probably less exiting dull German turbo diesel ..., who should be less in-love with my wallet than this russian hooker, but surely may provide truckloads of torque at reseonable thirst and this with a not really welcomed tweeting noise? Fxcker or Sxcker? Tweety or Sylvester? Any suggestions?

Do you want to buy a Fake Rolex?

Anybody has a good hint or address?

Awaiting your reply, I remain with

best regards,

Hello Georg,

Last I heard, Turkey was the country with highest gasoline prices in Europe. And you wish to spend money on refurbishing that gaz-guzzler with insatiable thirst? You must love that Russian hooker a lot if you are prepared to hand over your wallet to her like that!

I found out that parts for these engines are still easily available in Russia and surrounding countries. The trucks in which they were used were in production for a long time, and spare parts, new and used, can be found in many garages. On porschen.ru you can find new complete pistons/cylinder sets for example. I also found a company that does refurbishing of this engine for around 1000 euro. So if you have some friends in Russia or GIS, then you should be able to get your hands on the needed parts easily and for a good price.

Just make sure to compare the price of a (used) modern diesel engine + savings on fuel versus the parts & labor on a thirsty ЗМЗ-53. The savings might just be worth it... And if the roar of a V8 is what you want, then I bet a fat 6.3L Detroit Diesel V8 will still be cheaper to run AND has a lot more power!

Good luck!

Maurits

Dear Maurits,

I appreciate your valuable comments and are surely grateful for your support.
I have had only 5 meters of russian thrust when my wife already insisted on stopping
me to go any further. (Family, kids, etc ... ?) Most probably she was afraid of me
drowning in somekind of ocean of pleasure.

Now you tell me Detroit would be better?

I tell you now what we guys here intend to do:
Fuel is a problem, expensive etc... but you dont get the 60 oktan over here. Probably in NL not as well.
We want to tune the old russian hooker, with electronic ignition, decreased combustion chamber/hi pressure
and 4 barrel carburator, thus to turn her into a playmate.

If the parts are reasonably priced, why not?
Otherwise I'll be taking somekind of Gasoline VOLVO, chevy or a dull diesel that will be blown by it's ass, lining
myself up in the cew of the yogurt-can (becher) racers that are lirking around here. I remember the GAZ 53
engines from Bulgaria, where they were deep-throatly cuffing around in Varna. A very unmistakenably different
sound or spell of an engine this was, indeed.

I hope that this is not different from what is being probably drowned with salty seawater in the exhausts of our boats.
Regarding the US detroit version I have no experiences ... you mean 2strokers?

Have you ever ridden the real GAZ V8 to comment what it is or was compared to a US V8 or a TDI?
I didn't! You say it is not worth it? Even if you frolick it with tuning?

Let me find the parts maybe you'll come over to check out what is better?

Hi, again!

I have finished a tour of 2-4 weeks or was it more to look for a reliable source to get my spares for the GAZ/ZMZ 53 engine, which I would have prefered to buy was from a single source, but as I understand, there are several factories some of them producing bearings, the other ones pumps, some pistons and liners and some probably cucumbers. I was so far lucky to receive a single quotation for pistons and liners out of remote Tataristan, but all other addresses I found like 10 companies in the web have not even answered by giving a sign of life. ''Friends in Azarbaydjan, in Georgia and Bulgaria have either promised a lot and nothing came or they refused to recommend anything for the sake of staying ''friends''. Some addresses given do not even have an e-mail address and no fax either. A Azarbaydjani friend of mine told me that I should not expect anykind of serious companies, spares can be easily bought from the market, I assume, that they are proudly offered in somekind of Kolhosnian Bazaar among melons and cucumbers.

What surprises me is that not even GAZ factory themselve answers, although I get their message that they have read my e-mail. Maybe they have not understood it or are lazy to answer. After being confronted with flashy internet sites and probably as flashy friends both promising everything I am sitting after weeks again infront of an engine that needs spares, but I have nothing in my hands and nothing I can trust in. Sending out my engine to Russia for repair or to import restored engine is more expensive than buying a smaller more powerful marine gasoline engine.

If I can not get what I need, I'll finally get my kicks on the road for installing a Volvo engine with a ZF gearbox and burry my dreams of having an original russian wobbling machinery. What makes me sorry is that once taking the new equipment I have to leave the old engine to foul in the customs and will probably not be able to use it again in future. Storing the enormous GAZ 53 somewhere would have been crucial anyway.

Is there somekind of spares contact, before I dig my machinery in to history?

Hi Georg,

Perhaps you could post a list of parts that you need, so that we know exactly what you're looking for? I could ask my contacts in Lithuania to make some calls to see if they can get what you need. They managed to get me the electronic parts for my engine from the shop around the corner...

Kind regards,

Maurits

Hi,

I found my way to the GAZ/ZMZ 53 parts, they are all in Turkey now and we start to assemble and recon the engine. I am Happy to keep it original, however there is something.... Our bloody politicians have decided to raise the price on fuel again so I am again facing the highest price on Earth for Super. We have been number 2 for some time. Newspapers informed me that Number one was
a small country in the middle-of Europe called Netherlands. Now thanks god it is Turkey again some points higher than NL. )

best regards

Did we briefly hold the record for highest price? Hmm... I am not surprised. The prices here in the Netherlands were the reason why I had a preference for replacing the engine for a _slightly_ more economical, modern diesel engine. And then you convinced me with your plea for keeping the great roar of an original V8...

So don't give in now! A hobby should cost some money! Invite all your friends for a ride and tell them how much that thundering engine drinks per nautical mile. They will appreciate you for being such a generous friend

Or, you could also make sure that you always keep your Volga's speed at around 20 knots. You'l be on wings, and as far as the documentation says, fuel consumption is the lowest there

Good luck with renovating your engine and all the best for 2010!

Maurits

Hi Maurits,

Thanks, 2010 started with raises on fuel. )) We started rebuilding the engine. It gets electronic ignition with 35000 Volts for better spartking and burning. I was promised for this a minimum of 10 and max of 20% more power at same consumption. We are also going to polish all inlet piping of the inlet manifold and maybe even install a 4-barrel carburator, higher capacity/pressure oil pump probably ensures better performance. I ran thru similar things when I had my Enfield Bullet 500 for which EGLI equipment was available. EGLI (CH) was able to tickle the double power out of the indian engine. Are there any data available for original fuel consumption at different knots?

According to my engine work shop the engine should have capacity to be tuned up to 300 HP and more, if all tricks are being chosen. My aim is only good performance at same consumption. Sooner or later I will also end up with a new diesel and a ZF 63 IV gearbox. For the time being I want to give the ZMZ the chance not to disappoint me. I'll be fine with 150 HP, only.

Did you ever operate the ZMZ V8? Was it so disappointing or was it only fuel cost without limits?

Hello!

I live in Russia in the city of Nizhni Novgorod. Engines ZMZ do in the next city of Zavolzhe. If at you a problem with spare parts probably a smog you to help. Engine GAZ-53 not so good engine, it on Volga works on a limit of the possibilities, therefore for it small motor potential. But if you modernise it and will add the moment on a shaft and capacity, will longer work. I this year have dared to change it for a diesel engine. Can is besides easier buy new GAZ-53, than be engaged in its modernisation???

Marhaba komsu Weinstab.

I am looking for a Volga boat and drawings too.
The GAZ 53 engine is a very reliable engine. Trucks in Bulgaria have been covering without engine rebuilding 800 000 - 1 200 000 Klm.
It has some drawbacks:
It was built in an era when gas prices did not matter .

It has a low compression 1/6,8 -1/7,2 and so is very thirsty.
Here in Sofia and other cities we have made some improvements to our GAZ 66 trucks and motors:
1- shave the heads in order to increase compression to 8,8 -9,5
2- put some oilsimmerings on the valves - not a factory option - thus reducing the oil consumption, /blue smoke on new engines and older ones/
3 - polishing the heads and intake plenum under the carburetor.
4. new sleeves and pistons - Bulgarian made - they hold 2 as long as original Russian.
By the way some of the factory assembled engines come with Bulgarian pistons and sleeves.
5- new spark plugs - try" champion double platinum" - the engine was changed, very good with a 100 000 Miles guaratee in the US .

You do not need a 4 barrel carburetor, the original 2 barrel is good enough.
The engine is capable to deliver 300 or 500 HP but the life will be very short, the block is not stiff enough.
The heads will flow and hold, but not the block, than you will need new performance pistons - could be ordered in the US as custom build but too expensive.
After the head job the engine will be 150-180 HP at 3200-3500 RPM, if you get rid of the rev-limitter you could run up to 5500-6000 RPM, but after a crankshaft balancing.
How far did you get with your engine rebuilding?

We have here ST. Georg's day and until Monday all is closed.
If you need Pistons, liners, main and big end bearings and a gasket set I could check next week.
The Bulgarian made pistons are standard, and oversize 92,00 and 93,00 MM
The standard sized come with liners, for the over-sized you must bore and hone the old liners at your engine shop.
There was a company selling complete crate engines GAZ 53 but I do not know if they have some left./ they came with starter, alternator, ignition, spark plugs - a complete bolt - on engine./

Do you go to adalar with the boat ? where is your harbor in Istanbul?
Regards,

Christian

christianttt@abv.bg

Zdravey Christian,

Nogo blogadarya za dvoiya e-mailata. As malko gavarim Bulgarski shtoto as jivah 2 godini vif Varna.
As sega kupovah sichki reservni chasti za moya GAZ 53L dvigatela. Namirah toz chasti ot Gircia, no ni
razbiram zashto toz chasti e viv Gircia, zashtoto tey sami imah Nemski avtomobilen technologia tam?

I'll continue in english although it is nice to practice a little bit my bulgarian Language again. I have been
15 years ago living for two years in Varna was a nice time. Some people go to courses to learn a language
I think I was able to learn it with rakia & lukanka.

Regarding the engine we have completed all parts, bearings, valves, pistons, 2B carburator and liners too.
We even have found a russian electronic ignition with 35000 Volts or so to replace the old ignition. What
we couldn't get as info was the performance increase gained from this type of ignition. This came in a
package together with spark plugs and distributor (Delko = written in Cyrillic). The engine should be
regarded as completely renewed, but now with electronic ignition. Do you have an idea, how much
performance is gained? Is it possible that we get now atleast 120 HP out of it?

Is there a place in BG where I can buy a set of down machined-performance cylinder heads with smaller
combustion chamber and polished suction manifolt? And what would be the approximate cost of it?
As far as I know the old 76 oktan for the Moskowitch and Volga engines is no more available in BG
and the new EU regulation has prohibitted use of this Nafta like fuel. This and probably also the rising fuel
costs have forced many Bulgarian owners of such machinery to adapt the engines to this fuel and
also make relavant changes in the engines. Is there in Sofia somekind of ''Kolhoznian Pazar'' where
I can find a ''Bulgarski Zajelenie za Ruskati Dvigateli''?

Boat will of corse be used for Bosphorus cruising, Marmara Sea and Adalar.
If you need any drawings AutoCad or else I can send you whatever I have prepared already for my
own boat and also glupusti what I will put on my boat. You can see in the site some of my designs
for them. I will make a fifties-like Volga which will be mixture of a Cadillac and a Riva Motorboat ...
For finding a Volga boat you should go to Ukraine, Russia or Georgia. I myselve have never seen
any in Bulgaria, but know that there are some.

Looking forward to hear from you soon and wishing you a nice Sveti Joro Den.

Pozdravi
(Joro) Georg Weinstabl

Hi,

First of all, I would like to thank all participants forwarding me information about my GAZ 53L engine. I have so far found all parts and engine is complete now. Engine was completely taken appart, all pistons, liners, bearings, valves and valve seats have been renewed.
Carburator was bought new & and electronic ignition has been purchased.

Yesterday we made the decision also to renew the anchorage bolts for holding the cylinder heads. The Aluminium material of the motorblock proably already got weak with the age and we had 3 - 5 bolts no more tightening, which were tearing out the aluminium threads at 7 bar. We exchange them now with new bolts that are 1/2'' or 12 mm diameter and insert threaded steel bushes, thus enabling us to tighten to 11 bar. The valueable hint came from Crhistian (from Bulgaria). The Bulgarian which still have a high number of old Russian Machinery had to find their way to make them work properly with the European Comunity rules, where they were no more able to buy the
76 oktan fuel. So they increased the compression ratio from 6.7 to 9.5 or even to 10.5. The result is an engine which they say developes
150 - 170 HP at 2800 rpm and this by consuming 15 - 20% less fuel compared to the regular engine.

Hallo Georg, this engine rebuilding looks well done.
I hope that you will get the desired results.
The engine looks clean .
The bolts normally hold.
If they come loose it is an indication that some idiot has been tightening the heads without using a torque wrench !
Well It has been a common problem here, as the saying is : "tighten the screws until they tear and than give back a quarter revolution!" Normally when tightening some block or engine-mounts made of ALU the result is destroyed threads = somebody has been "screwing around" the engine!!!
Use also "Loktite in the red-bottle" for the threads.
This is the newer engine with the paper oil filter. The insert is to be changed every 90-100 working hours.
First oil change after rebuilding in 5 H, second after 20H. with insert.
Oil 10W40 or 15W40. DO NOT USE SYNTHETIC AS THE SEALS WILL LEAK! Just plain old dyno-oil or semi-synthetic after the 1 and 2 oil change.

As to the replacement of the old pushrod ZMZ 53V8 with a modern marine- diesel , well I would not do it unless I am running a commercial operation with this boat.
Just check the prices for a marine-diesel at VW-Marine or Yanmar -BMW engines!!!
How many hours at sea would you need to break even? Just do the math and post the results.
I am curious about the results.

Hi Christian,

The drawings I have sent to you already. They are all AutoCad 2007 format. Boats are not available in Turkey and you have to find them
in CIS Countries or from someone in Western Europe. Any encounters of offers I will try to forward you. You should also make a request in the ''Buy'' chapter of the forum.

All anchorage bolts have been changed already and we are able to tighten up to 11 kg, if necessary. Do you have a proposal for the
cylinderheads ideal ccm for compression ratio 9+?

There is one part, above crankshaft and below FW pump, which we could not give any sense to yet. It has been disassembled and cleaned but we were unable to say concretely what it could be. We assume that it is another revolution counter? You can see it on the photo below. Can you advise function of this please?

Hallo Georg,
1.-this is the factory installed vacuum- rev -limiter.
It is connected via a copper pipe to the carburettor. It cuts in at ca 3000 -3200- RPM.
If you do not connect this tube, the engine can rev up over 6000RPM and it will break.
I hope that you have good rev-meter on the dash -board, just keep the engine under 3500 -1 at top speed for under 10-15 minutes
Cruising speed should be kept at 2200 - 2800 Rpm.
Have you increased compression? How much?

2.-The heads are to torqued - 6,5-7,5 KGM. / 65-75 KN/ This is an Alu-block and not a nodular cast iron diesel that you can torque over 12 KGM! What bolts do you use ? MM or Withworth ? 12 -14MM?
11 KG is too much even for 12 MM bolts, but as you have done it already, keep it, otherwise dismantle the heads and change the head-gaskets.

3.- first measure the combustion bowl of the head. std 68 -73ccm.
you can shave max 2,00 mm. if you want to shave 3,00 or 4,00 mm you must weld some parts of the head , only if you have done this previously you can do the job. If your mechanic has not such experience with heads, you better leave it. Great possibility that you will end with search for new heads.
Well they are not expensive like BMW heads but anyway I have posted you the prices for new heads and machining.