Atomic 4 without dipstick hole in block

[boydwest@gmail.com]

I have a 1968 Newport 30 sloop with an Atomic 4.

The location where the dipstick should be (compared to several other Atomic 4 engines I have inspected) is blank. There is no dipstick, no tube, no hole in the block into which a dipstick can be placed, nothing.

Is there more than one Atomic 4 engine dipstick location? If so, where is it? If not, I am curious as to how an engine can survive 46 years without ever getting the oil level checked...

[Mo]

Take a pic of the engine for us.

[Marian Claire]

Welcome to the forum. Try here for an early model.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

[boydwest@gmail.com]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. I can't get a camera into the space where the dipstick should be, but I was able to see the location that was circled in the photo with a mirror and a bright light. Sure enough, there is no hole in the motor where the dipstick should be. It looks like there never was.

[67c&ccorv]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. I can't get a camera into the space where the dipstick should be, but I was able to see the location that was circled in the photo with a mirror and a bright light. Sure enough, there is no hole in the motor where the dipstick should be. It looks like there never was.

Having a hard time believing that - check again.

[Marian Claire]

The pic I posted shows the small "knob" that is on the end of the early dipstick. There is not a loop like most dipsticks. The pic in the third post here, http://www.moyermarine.com//forums/s...ead.php?t=4010 gives a different view. It is really tucked in the corner. Does everything else look like an A-4? Dan S/V Marian Claire

[JOHN COOKSON]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. I can't get a camera into the space where the dipstick should be, but I was able to see the location that was circled in the photo with a mirror and a bright light. Sure enough, there is no hole in the motor where the dipstick should be. It looks like there never was.

I'm not that familiar with early model A4s but......
Maybe someone lost the dipstick and there is a bung in the hole?

TRUE GRIT

[orangedog]

See the second paragraph at this link

http://www.moyermarine.com/enldifference.htm

[BunnyPlanet169]

Is it possible it's a Universal variant, like the Stevedore? Maybe just any picture to show us what we're talking about.....

[boydwest@gmail.com]

Hi everyone, back again.

I pulled the engine out from under the cockpit today so I could get access to the water pump. The lower water pump bolt was rusted to a nub, not even enough to get hold of with vice grips. With the help of a Dremmel tool I was able to grind the remainder of the head off the bolt and remove the water pump. That gave me access to the dipstick area. I cleaned the area where the dipstick should be and found that one of the previous owners filled the hole with brass (brazed it shut), then ground it off flush. With a little bit of oily, rusty dirt over the hole, it looked like the rest of the casting.

Until today the only way I could see the area of the dipstick hole was with a mirror and a flashlight so I couldn't tell that there was dirt covering a brass plug.

I was able to pry it out cleanly and tomorrow I will be able to put a dipstick tube and dipstick in it.

Thanks to everyone who replied.

[BunnyPlanet169]

Wow. POs are a source of wonder and awe.

I had nearly the same experience with my water pump but finally did get the bolt. I highly recommend the MMI extender bolt which has been a comparative joy to remove ever since.

[romantic comedy]

Boyd, how have you checked t he oil in the past? I am wondering if the blocked oil check hole was possible part of the original installation. From your description, a dipstick there would not be accessible.

[ndutton]

Sounds like you might be a candidate for one of these.

[sglazebrook]

Highly recommended! Just be sure to know what "Full" is to compare to the new dipstick. On my new extended dipstick I am full when the dipstick reads "Fill".

[marthur]

Wow. POs are a source of wonder and awe.

That is why I do crazy stuff to my vehicles every now and then. I am someone else's PO and want to keep up the tradition!