Should I remove my head...

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  • gregsails
    Senior Member
    • Sep 2013
    • 95
    #1

    Should I remove my head...

    My 1977 Catalina 30 A4 is torn down. I needed to find and fix a water ingress problem.I have anyway rebuilt my starter, altenator, carb, fuel pump, water pump and removed the oil pan to get the crud out.I pressured tested and came up just fine.Pretty confident I got the water when I got knocked down raceing last summer in a strom. My question is... should I replace this 1977 head gasket while I have the motor out and in my basement where I can get at it easily.
    Ken at Moyer is telling me to leave it alone. It aint broke . I know the time is now. What would you do... Don t want to open up a can of crap if it will be ok. I just keep thinking .... hmmmm its a 1977...... but it seems fine
    Greg
    Catalina 30 1977
    hull 696
    Tags: None
  • jpian0923
    Afourian MVP
    • Sep 2010
    • 976
    #2
    What compression numbers are you getting in the cylinders?
    "Jim"
    S/V "Ahoi"
    1967 Islander 29
    Harbor Island, San Diego
    2/7/67 A4 Engine Block date

    Comment

    • ndutton
      Afourian MVP
      • May 2009
      • 9601
      #3
      Greg,

      It's funny how most things are perfectly fine until we start messing with them. Do a compression test as Jim suggested but unless there's some indication - a real reason - for replacing the head gasket(s), why mess with success?

      Ken is wise . . . . .
      Neil
      1977 Catalina 30
      San Pedro, California
      prior boats 1987 Westsail 32, 1970 Catalina 22
      Had my hands in a few others

      Comment

      • hanleyclifford
        Afourian MVP
        • Mar 2010
        • 6990
        #4
        The only reason to remove and replace the cylinder head on on good running engine like yours would be compression higher than spec (indicating heavy carbon build up in the combustion chamber) or difficulty of access in the boat. IIRC access to the cylinder head in a Catalina 30 is decent. Any job that can be done with the engine installed in the boat I consider to be "tune up".

        Comment

        • gregsails
          Senior Member
          • Sep 2013
          • 95
          #5
          the compression was really great. 100, 105, 100, 105.

          Comment

          • marthur
            Afourian MVP
            • Dec 2004
            • 831
            #6
            Listen to Ken. His advice to me has always been excellent.

            My thoughts: You have no maintenance that requires removing the head, you have excellent compression, a head gasket costs money, there is a chance of screwing something up (in my case, a certainty) and a Catalina 30 provides access to the head with engine installed.
            Mike

            Comment

            • Mo
              Afourian MVP
              • Jun 2007
              • 4468
              #7
              Originally posted by gregsails View Post
              the compression was really great. 100, 105, 100, 105.
              I'd leave it as it is for sure. You have great numbers.
              Mo

              "Odyssey"
              1976 C&C 30 MKI

              The pessimist complains about the wind.
              The optimist expects it to change.
              The realist adjusts the sails.
              ...Sir William Arthur Ward.

              Comment

              • gregsails
                Senior Member
                • Sep 2013
                • 95
                #8
                Thanks guys. I think I ll just leave it as is.
                Greg

                Comment

                • sastanley
                  Afourian MVP
                  • Sep 2008
                  • 6986
                  #9
                  Greg, I agree...My #4 is at something like 80#, and I have none at 100# in my C-30, if I recall correctly.
                  -Shawn
                  "Holiday" - '89 Alura 35 #109
                  "Twice Around" - '77 C-30, #511 with original A-4 & MMI manifold - SOLD! (no longer a two boat owner!!)
                  sigpic

                  Comment

                  • Dave Neptune
                    Afourian MVP, Professor Emeritus
                    • Jan 2007
                    • 5044
                    #10
                    Numbers

                    Greg, those numbers are good for a single gasket and the direct drive works quite well with the one. However the performance can suffer with a single gasket on reduction equipped A-4's running above 2500 RPM's.

                    I have rune a single one for 29 years now and all is well with my ole beastie still.

                    Dave Neptune

                    Comment

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