Return to the home page...

Go Back   Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians > Discussion Topics > Overhaul

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1   IP: 45.48.80.165
Old 05-05-2020, 10:44 PM
Rando1201's Avatar
Rando1201 Rando1201 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 96
Thanks: 38
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Am I beyond screwed?

Hey guys, I'm a newb to the A4, bought it off someone that had it in their garage. I saw some telltale signs at first that I ignored such as overspray on the water lines, and alternator belt. Rust on the bottom of the oil pan. I just took off the thermostat, and its completely rusted. I just bought the manual and a carb rebuild kit from the online store here.
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
  #2   IP: 45.48.80.165
Old 05-05-2020, 10:46 PM
Rando1201's Avatar
Rando1201 Rando1201 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 96
Thanks: 38
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
More pictures
Attached Images
 
Reply With Quote
  #3   IP: 174.192.43.124
Old 05-05-2020, 11:12 PM
Surcouf's Avatar
Surcouf Surcouf is offline
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 361
Thanks: 328
Thanked 163 Times in 123 Posts
I am sweating on mine right now. I let the MVP and other more experienced guys give their opinion, but my 2 cents is likely no. A pressure test, an acid clean, a pump rebuild, a good check of the 2 hoses and 90 angle fittings and you may be good to go. You head / nuts is not rusted on the outside, Very good sign

There are procedures somewhere in the site for acid clean and pressure test

Good luck and enjoy wrenching
__________________
Surcouf
A nostalgic PO - Previously "Almost There" - Catalina 27 (1979)
Reply With Quote
  #4   IP: 45.48.80.165
Old 05-06-2020, 12:00 AM
Rando1201's Avatar
Rando1201 Rando1201 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 96
Thanks: 38
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Surcouf View Post
I am sweating on mine right now. I let the MVP and other more experienced guys give their opinion, but my 2 cents is likely no. A pressure test, an acid clean, a pump rebuild, a good check of the 2 hoses and 90 angle fittings and you may be good to go. You head / nuts is not rusted on the outside, Very good sign

There are procedures somewhere in the site for acid clean and pressure test

Good luck and enjoy wrenching
Thank you. I will try what you've mentioned. There Is some hope.
Reply With Quote
  #5   IP: 165.225.38.121
Old 05-06-2020, 07:14 AM
Surcouf's Avatar
Surcouf Surcouf is offline
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 361
Thanks: 328
Thanked 163 Times in 123 Posts
Everything should be in here, but you should also have that in the manual
http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...read.php?t=127
http://www.moyermarineforum.com/foru...ead.php?t=9717


you are going to need a few gaskets (thermostat housing (1 or 2?), potentially water jacket plate if you want to check behind + Permatex sealer). Ken @ MM will be able to assist.
Personally, I dropped the thermostat housing and its shoe (depends on model) in vinegar for 3 days. Came out like new after brushing.

But honestly, your picture is really not that bad... if you engine starts, does not leak water and does not overheat, pressure test and acid clean are recommended maintenance steps, but may not even be required.
__________________
Surcouf
A nostalgic PO - Previously "Almost There" - Catalina 27 (1979)

Last edited by Surcouf; 05-06-2020 at 07:38 AM. Reason: spelling + add link
Reply With Quote
  #6   IP: 155.186.124.219
Old 05-06-2020, 10:01 AM
Dave Neptune Dave Neptune is online now
Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Grove, Oklahoma
Posts: 5,035
Thanks: 711
Thanked 1,289 Times in 839 Posts
Rando, I've seen much worse! I would fill the block with vinegar and let it soak for a few days, rinse & repeat. Once you have the rust softened up do the pressure check to insure block integrity.
Once you confirm having no leaks time to get the block cleaned out. Best to remove the "side plate" to clear as much as possible from the passages. Cleaning and flushing is easy at home and not to bad on some boats.
Remember once the KRAP inside is loose it must be removed by flushing. This flushing can cause many of the fittings associated with the cooling system to plug up with debris, just poke it clear and flush.

If the vinegar does not get it clean then go aggressive with an acid flush, but do try vinegar soaking first as it is much easier on the block and associated parts.

Dave Neptune
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Dave Neptune For This Useful Post:
Rando1201 (05-10-2020), Surcouf (05-06-2020)
  #7   IP: 32.211.28.40
Old 05-07-2020, 10:28 PM
Al Schober's Avatar
Al Schober Al Schober is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Uncasville, CT
Posts: 2,002
Thanks: 16
Thanked 578 Times in 405 Posts
That block is pretty nasty, but don't give up on it yet.
The sooner you can do a pressure test, the better. If it's going to fail, it will fail. Better that it fail BEFORE you put time and effort into it.
You're going to have to open that thing up. Head off, side cover plate off, and go to it. See if you can borrow a pressure washer. Well worth the effort to get the engine off the boat - it's going to get messy. Pay attention to the oblong passages from the block to the head by the valves. That's a critical water passage for cooling. Will likely need a hammer and chisel to open them up. They don't go straight into the block, but take a turn, so be careful. But get rid of as much as you can in that area that isn't metal. Think eye protection. Think again. Else you'll become friends with your local ophthalmic surgeon.
Corrosion on the outside of the cylinders should be removed if you can. That will help reduce cylinder wall temperatures and prolong engine life.
My recommendation is not to worry about the thermostat cover for now. Just clean it up and put it back together with NO thermostat. Engine should run cool and calm. If you want to raise engine temperature later, deal with it then.
edit: re: flush - do it after reassembly. Don't waste time now - go right to open and clean. Once it's all clean a sparkly inside, think about glycol cooling & heat exchanger - keep it that way!

Last edited by Al Schober; 05-07-2020 at 10:33 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8   IP: 72.69.36.126
Old 05-08-2020, 06:14 AM
tenders tenders is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Harlem YC, City Island, NY
Posts: 1,439
Thanks: 46
Thanked 259 Times in 170 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Al Schober View Post
My recommendation is not to worry about the thermostat cover for now. Just clean it up and put it back together with NO thermostat. Engine should run cool and calm. If you want to raise engine temperature later, deal with it then.
Seconded - but make sure you block the “bypass hose” with something (perhaps a valve, though I use a bolt) to force the water through the block in lieu of a thermostat. The engine can run cool but perfectly happily this way indefinitely without a thermostat. Some would say permanently. Tons of posts with illustrations about this.
Reply With Quote
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to tenders For This Useful Post:
Administrator (05-08-2020), Ando (05-10-2020), Rando1201 (05-10-2020)
  #9   IP: 45.48.80.165
Old 05-10-2020, 05:48 PM
Rando1201's Avatar
Rando1201 Rando1201 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 96
Thanks: 38
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Thank you everyone, I am going to work on what you all have suggested this week and leave an update.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to Rando1201 For This Useful Post:
Ando (05-10-2020)
  #10   IP: 45.48.80.165
Old 05-11-2020, 10:38 PM
Rando1201's Avatar
Rando1201 Rando1201 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 96
Thanks: 38
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
I pressure tested the water jacket and the head. No vinegar flush yet. I made a homemade bike bump pressure tester. I can pump air went up to 40 psi. Nothing blew out unexpectedly. I'm not sure how long it should hold pressure. My bike pump pressure tester could have flaws in it. It loses pressure but very very slowly. In theory if I pump a good amount of pressure into it and it continues to fill wouldn't that be a good test?
Reply With Quote
  #11   IP: 67.169.215.221
Old 05-12-2020, 12:36 AM
ronstory's Avatar
ronstory ronstory is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 404
Thanks: 106
Thanked 208 Times in 152 Posts
40 PSI makes you a rock star.

Now just do the vinegar flush and see what lies ahead.
__________________
Thanks,
Ron
Portland, OR
Reply With Quote
The Following User Says Thank You to ronstory For This Useful Post:
Ando (05-12-2020)
  #12   IP: 166.137.246.129
Old 05-12-2020, 08:44 PM
Rando1201's Avatar
Rando1201 Rando1201 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 96
Thanks: 38
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstory View Post
40 PSI makes you a rock star.

Now just do the vinegar flush and see what lies ahead.
I'm at the store. All they have is distilled white vinegar. Will that work?
Reply With Quote
  #13   IP: 67.169.215.221
Old 05-12-2020, 09:01 PM
ronstory's Avatar
ronstory ronstory is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 404
Thanks: 106
Thanked 208 Times in 152 Posts
Yes, any cheap vinegar will work.
__________________
Thanks,
Ron
Portland, OR
Reply With Quote
  #14   IP: 45.48.80.165
Old 05-12-2020, 09:48 PM
Rando1201's Avatar
Rando1201 Rando1201 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 96
Thanks: 38
Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstory View Post
Yes, any cheap vinegar will work.
Ok. Thanks. I bought way too much vinegar. Water jacket and head is currently soaking.
Reply With Quote
  #15   IP: 107.77.97.101
Old 05-12-2020, 10:03 PM
lat 64's Avatar
lat 64 lat 64 is offline
Afourian MVP
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Posts: 1,964
Thanks: 39
Thanked 240 Times in 157 Posts
no such thing as "too much vinegar"

Use it to freshen up the boat. It is a good anti- algae, mold, and some bacteria.
It is not too awful on your senses compared to strong chemicals and you can even put it on your salad!

Capt. Bligh used it extensively.

Cheap and earth-friendly. You can wash it into the harbor without repercussion on your conscience or otherwise.

It will tarnish metals, so use it with that understanding.

Russ
__________________
Whiskeyjack a '68 Columbia 36 rebuilt A-4 with 2:1

"Since when is napping doing nothing?"
Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to lat 64 For This Useful Post:
Administrator (05-13-2020), Dave Neptune (05-13-2020)
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
slow leak under alt bracket Marty Levenson Cooling System 72 04-19-2015 08:35 PM
Gauging Tappet Clearance without positive indication of TDC Cave_Dog General Interest 38 01-04-2011 11:13 AM
Engine shuts off dwoodriff Troubleshooting 24 11-23-2008 10:50 PM
forward slipping boater tom Reversing Gear 25 09-15-2008 11:51 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:57 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.


Universal® is a registered trademark of Westerbeke Corporation

Copyright © 2004-2024 Moyer Marine Inc.

All Rights Reserved