History of the Universal Motor Company 4
Part 4 - The Diesel Years
In the early 1970’s sailboat manufacturers began fitting Yanmar diesel auxiliaries instead of the Atomic Four gasoline auxiliary, however Atomic Four sales continued to grow until their peak year of 1975. In 1976, as sales of the Atomic Four started to drop, Universal met the challenge from Yanmar by buying Kubota diesel engines and selling marinized versions, under the name Universal. Atomic Four sales gradually declined as manufacturers increasingly used diesel engines. Manufacturing ceased in 1980, with sales continuing until all units were sold in 1984. The last OEM (original equipment manufacturer) to fit the Atomic Four was Catalina, who used it up until the 1985 Catalina model year. After 1985 Universal sold only diesel marine engines, which were fitted by several OEM, including Catalina.
In 1976 the first Universal diesel was introduced. Designated the Model 5416, it was a 45 cu in, 16 hp, 2 cylinder, fresh-water-cooled engine producing 16 hp @ ? rpm (intermittent), based on the Kubota Z-751 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1976 to 1982. Approximately 1,000 were sold.
In 1977 the Model 5411 was introduced. It was a 31 cu in, 2 cylinder raw water cooled diesel producing 11 hp @ ? rpm, based on the Kubota Z-500 block, and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1977 to 1982. Approximately 2,900 were sold.
In 1977 the Model 5424 was introduced. It was a 68 cu in, 24 hp, 3 cylinder, based on the Kubota D-1101 block, and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1977 to 1983. Approximately 1,050 were sold.
In 1978 the Model 5432 was introduced. It was a 91 cu in, 32 hp, 4 cylinder, based on the Kubota V-1501 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-100 marine transmission. It was built from 1978 to 1982. It was also called the “Atomic Diesel”. Approximately 650 were sold.
In 1980 the Model 5444 was introduced. It was a 115 cu in, 44 hp, 4 cylinder, based on the Kubota V-1902 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-100 marine transmission. It was built from 1980 to 1982. Approximately 280 were sold.
In 1981 the Model 5421 was introduced. It was a 52 cu in, 21 hp, 3 cylinder, based on the Kubota D-850 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission, built from 1978 to 1981. Approximately 1,000 were sold.
In 1981 the Model 5421 was replaced by the Model M25, a 52 cu in, 21 hp, 3 cylinder, based on the Kubota D-850 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1981 to 1986. Approximately 3,650 were sold.
In 1982 the Model 5432 was replaced by the Model M40, a 91 cu in, 32 hp, 4 cylinder, based on the Kubota V-1502 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-100 marine transmission. It was produced from 1982 to 1998. Approximately 360 were sold.
In 1982 the Model 5411 was replaced by the Model M15, a 45 cu in, 16 hp, 2 cylinder, fresh-water-cooled, based on the Kubota Z-500 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was produced in 1982 and 1983. Approximately 370 were sold.
In 1982 the Model 5416 was replaced by the Model M20, a 45 cu in, 16 hp, 2 cylinder, fresh-water-cooled, based on the Kubota Z-751 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built in 1982 and 1983. Approximately 230 were sold.
In 1982 the Model 5444 was replaced by the Model M50, a 115 cu in, 44 hp, 4 cylinder, based on the Kubota V-1902 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-100 marine transmission. It was built from 1982 to 1997. Approximately 520 were sold.
In 1983 the Model M-12 was introduced. It was a 24.4 cu in, 10 hp, 2 cylinder based on the Kubota Z-400 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1983 to 1988. Approximately 1,200 were sold.
In 1983 the Model M-18 was introduced. It was a 34.8 cu in, 14 hp @ 3,200 rpm, 2 cylinder, based on the Kubota Z-600 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1983 to 1988. Approximately 2,400 were sold.
In 1983 the Model 5424 was replaced by the Model M-30, a 68 cu in, 24 hp, 3 cylinder, originally based on the Kubota D-1101 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1983 to 1987. The Model M-30 was the same size as the Model 5424, but later M-30 engines were based on the Kubota D-1102 block. It was built from 1983 to 1987. Approximately 400 were sold.
In 1986 the M-25 was replaced by the Model M-25XP, a 57 cu in, 23 hp, 3 cylinder, based on the Kubota D-950 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1986 to 1999. Approximately 3,100 were sold.
In 1987 the Model M2-12 was introduced. It was a 26 cu in, 11 hp, 2 cylinder, based on the Kubota Z-430 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-50 marine transmission. It was built from 1987 to 1997. Approximately 320 were sold.
In 1987 the Model M-35 was introduced. It was a 75.5 cu in, 30 hp, 4 cylinder, based on the Kubota V-1200 block and fitted with a Hurth HBW-100 marine transmission. It was built from 1987 to 1997. Approximately 280 were sold.
In 1988 the Model M3-20 was introduced. It was a 38.9 cu in, 18 hp, 3 cylinder, based on the Kubota D-640 block. It was built from 1988 to 1997. Approximately 525 were sold.
In 1988 the Model M4-30 was introduced. It was also called the Atomic Four diesel, and was a 52 cu in, 25 hp, 4 cylinder, based on the Kubota Y-850 block. It was built from 1988 to 1997. Approximately 470 were sold. The Model M4-30 was offered as a diesel replacement for the original Atomic Four gasoline engine. It was similar to its namesake, since it was a 4 cylinder model weighing slightly less (122 kg / 270 lb as opposed to the original’s 150 kg / 330 lb with Paragon reduction drive) and generating slightly less power (18.6 kW / 25 hp at 3,600 rpm as opposed to the original’s 22 kW / 30 hp at 3,500 rpm) with a smaller displacement (850 cc / 52 cu in as opposed to the original’s 1,065 cc / 65 cu in).
The Model M-35A, a 4 cylinder engine producing 22.3 kW / 30 hp at 3,200 rpm, based on the Kubota ?? block, was introduced in 19??.
The Model M3-20A, a 3 cylinder engine producing 13.4 kW / 18 hp at 3,600 rpm , based on the Kubota ?? block, was introduced in 19??.
In ? the Model M47 was introduced. It was based on the the Kubota ?? block, which was was rebored by Universal to increase the bore, and thus the engine capacity and power output.
In ? the Model M3-20A was introduced. It was a ? cu in, ? hp, ? cylinder, based on the Kubota ? block, and fitted with a Hurth HBW-? marine transmission was built from 19? to 19?. Approximately ? were sold.
In ? the Model M-25XPA was introduced. It was a ? cu in, ? hp, ? cylinder, based on the Kubota ? block, and fitted with a Hurth HBW-? marine transmission was built from 19? to 19?. Approximately ? were sold.
In ? the Model M4-30A was introduced. It was a ? cu in, ? hp, ? cylinder, based on the Kubota ? block, and fitted with a Hurth HBW-? marine transmission was built from 19? to 19?. Approximately ? were sold.
In ? the Model M-35A was introduced. It was a ? cu in, ? hp, ? cylinder, based on the Kubota ? block, and fitted with a Hurth HBW-? marine transmission was built from 19? to 19?. Approximately ? were sold.
In ? the Model M-40A was
introduced. It was a ? cu in, ? hp, ? cylinder, based on the Kubota ?
block, and fitted with a Hurth HBW-? marine transmission was built
from 19? to 19?. Approximately ? were sold.
Universal M4-30 Atomic Four diesel
Long time Universal Motor Company employee Richard D. Malnory was hired by Universal on January 3, 1956 and on June 3, 1966 he was promoted to Engineer - Research and Development. On August 15, 1968 he was promoted to General Foreman, and on July 1, 1969 he was promoted to Superintendent. He was Sales and Engineering Manager for Medalist Universal Motors from August 1, 1973 to December 11, 1989, and in late 1989 he reported the market share for diesel auxiliaries as 42% Universal, 45% Yanmar, and 18% Volvo / Westerbeke / Perkins. Mr. Malnory worked as a consultant for Westerbeke Inc of Avon Massachusetts until July 17, 1991, after they purchased the Universal Motor Company on July 17, 1990.
Westerbeke Takes Control
Westerbeke Inc of Avon Massachusetts purchased the Universal Motor Company on July 17, 1990. Westerbeke / Universal dealers continue to sell new Universal marine diesels, and parts for older Universal gas engines, including most Atomic Four parts. Atomic Four blocks and oil pan casting assemblies as well as several transmission components (ie throw-out bearing assemblies) are not available, however most common rebuild and repair parts are, although the prices are very expensive when compared to automotive engine parts.
Universal Motor Company building, 1997. Building is boarded up and closed (note original flag pole and height of shrubs shown in earlier photographs)
The
famous Universal Motor Company front door & sign.
photographs
by Steve McKeown
Universal models available in 1998, the 100 year anniversary of the first Universal motor, were the 3 cylinder M3-20B (20 hp) and M25-XPB (26 hp), and the 4 cylinder M-35B (32 hp) and M-50B (42 hp), all Kubota based light diesels converted to marine specification and fitted with integral heat exchangers and ZF / Hurth transmissions. The M-50B was discontinued in 2008.
In late 1999 the model range was expanded with the addition of the 4 cylinder M-40B (37.5 hp).
M-40B
Over 100 years of producing marine engines the Universal Motor Company pioneered many of the advancements we now take for granted. They were the first to produce engines with large cast full-flow water jackets, the first to fit large water jacket inspection and clean-out plates, the first to develop special metals and materials for production marine engines, the first to build marine engines with integral marine gears, the first to fit oil coolers to marine engines, and the first to build bronze gear marine engine cooling pumps.
History of the Westerbeke Company: http://www.westerbeke.com/aboutus/company_history.cfm
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Back
issues of "Rudder"
magazine
Back issues of the "Medalist"
newsletter
Photocopies of newspaper articles supplied by the
Oshkosh Public Library
Complete
Encyclopedia of Motor Cars,
Ebury Press
Old Marine
Engines, Grayson,
Devereux, 1998
Engines
Afloat Volumes 1 & 2,
Grayson, Devereux, 1999
American
Gasoline Engines Since 1872,
C.H. Wendell, Crestline, 1983
Gas
Engine Trademarks, C.H.
Wendell, Stemgas Publishing, 1995
Gasoline
Engines 1884 - 1934, A.
King, Independent Print Shop, 1994
Gasoline
Engines 1909 - 1962, A.
King, Independent Print Shop, 1994
Service
& Repair Manual for Atomic 4 Marine Engine,
R. Staton, Seacraft Publications, 1982
Universal
Instruction Book Super-Four 100% Marine Engine,
Universal Motor Company,
Universal
Blue Jacket 100% Marine Engines 2, 4, and 6 Cylinder Series,
Universal Motor Company
Universal
Instruction Book "The Fisherman" 100% Marine Engine,
Universal Motor Company
Instruction
Book Universal Utility Four Marine Engine,
Universal Motor Company
Medalist
Universal Motors Repair Parts List for Universal Atomic Four,
Medalist Industries
Medalist
Industries Universal Motor Division Operation and Maintenance Manual,
Medalist Industries
Universal
Atomic 4 Operation and Maintenance Manual,
Westerbeke Corporation
Universal
Marine Power Master Manual,
Westerbeke Corporation (shop and parts manuals for all Universal
diesels)
THANKS
Clarence
Jungwirth, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
Steve McKeown, Campbellford,
Ontario, Canada
Richard Malnory, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
Mara
Munroe, Oshkosh Public Library, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
Bud Smith,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Joe Joyce - Westerbeke Corporation, Avon,
Massachusetts, USA
Larry Zade, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA
