Here for help...

[merchantmariner]

...possibly mental if this engine keeps stumping me!

Cody here, located in NC but my boat (SV Tramp) is in Norfolk VA.
She's a 28 Soverel MORC sloop from 1966 with an A4 of the same vintage.

I bought her in Baltimore a few months ago for $750 and (not knowing how to sail) motored her down the bay in three days single handed. Since then, she has made a few day trips with college friends and family before being put on the hard at Cobb's Marina for painting. This past Tuesday, with fresh paint top and bottom, we re-launched her and I brought her back over to her usual home.

Now, 4 days ago I knew as much about engines as a man with no arms knows about playing the fiddle. Now, 4 days later, I know enough to make me dangerous. Very dangerous in fact. What started as an innocent oil change led to....


...Well I digress. This is the introductions section after all. I'll head over to the proper sub forum to discuss the gritty details of my carb cleaning, knuckle busting, coil frying, mystery wiring, "was-that-supposed-to-happen" adventures. And hopefully you all can help me out!

Cheers,
Cody

[lat 64]

So,
you bought a motor boat with an auxiliary sail

It's all here. The FAQs, and old threads may answer a lot. Lots of friendlies to help too. Definitely get the book:

http://www.moyermarine.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?search=action&category=MANL&keywords=all&template=Templates/B000_storebuilder.html

just pick you battles and do one problem at time or you WILL go mental.

Welcome,

Russ

[alcodiesel]

Hey Cody, welcome to the A4 forum. I have found tremendous help here- like when my tranny wouldn't go in reverse. For a $5 part and suggestions here I fixed it. I was new to the A4 one year ago. It's been a steep learning curve. I read a lot here and it's helped me along that curve.

[sdemore]

Welcome Cody!

I'd offer my vast wisdom to assist you, but I'm only about a week ahead of you on building my engine. I just picked up a project boat (C&C 30) with a basket case A4. The engine had been pulled from the boat, disassembled, additional parts thrown in for good luck, and all stuffed into recycle bins. I think I have at least a full engine, but am ready to buy parts as needed. This board (and the people!) has been incredibly helpful as I start to bring my motor back to life.

Incidentally, you motored right past me on your way south. I am in Pasadena, midway between Baltimore and Annapolis.

Good luck and don't hesitate in asking questions.

Steve

[merchantmariner]

Steve, I actually bought her in Severna Park which, I think, is even closer to you isn't it?

Russ, definitely ordering the Bible soon! This forum has already helped me multiple times during this fix-it session (who knew fixing things involved so much breaking other things!)

Cheers all, thanks for the welcome.

PS, since originally posting this, she runs! Back over to "Troubleshooting" for that...

[sdemore]

Yep, that's right next door!