One project (out of 1,254 and counting). . .rather large project. . .I'd like to accomplish over winter is to pull the engine and reseal it and to replace all the engine mounts (all rotten and frozen). The poor thing leaks like a sieve and there is engine oil everywhere. I have several diapers in the engine pan and have kept the bilge clean. . .until I left a cockpit hatch open during a rain storm and the deluge that ran thru the engine compartment rinsed a lot of sludge into the bilge
Since I rebuilt the fuel system a couple years back, the engine has ran fine. Not sure what a "great" running atomic 4 is like, but this one hasn't let me down yet. In fact, the longest run this year was a motor sail into 2-3 foot seas across the mouth of the bay. . .6 hours that engine ran Only hiccup was at the end and it developed an occasional miss at idle. . .hasn't happened since though.
I haven't checked the compression yet, couple years back I think it varied from 85 psi to 95 psi. Starts in a couple cranks with choke when cold, starts almost immediately when warm. Oil pressure at idle is 20 psi, WOT it's 32 psi with 20w50 oil. I've never adjusted the valves or oil pressure thingy. . .hell, I've never had it opened up at all. Life time raw water cooled in saltwater. Already electronic ignition. She's old and worn, but still kicks hard.
So, how far do you think I should go or need to go? Not that I'm cheap or lazy, but I'm kinda cheap and lazy
My immediate concern is replacing all the paper gaskets, rear seal, cleaning up the rust, and painting it. The head has a couple paint bubbles with dried rust stains bleeding through, so that needs to be repaired at a minimum (or replaced). Head gaskets need to be replaced. Water jacket needs to be investigated and cleaned out (I know it's bad, but not how bad). If the block isn't rotted out, Fresh Water cooling is a option. Also need to redo the exhaust (has 8 90* elbows, lol). That isn't dependent on me having the engine out though.
Since it is out, and will be apart, is it worth while to go full bore rebuild? Any advice on a just a refresh? Or just fix what I planned and get it back in the boat before it becomes one of "those" projects?
Thanks!
Since I rebuilt the fuel system a couple years back, the engine has ran fine. Not sure what a "great" running atomic 4 is like, but this one hasn't let me down yet. In fact, the longest run this year was a motor sail into 2-3 foot seas across the mouth of the bay. . .6 hours that engine ran Only hiccup was at the end and it developed an occasional miss at idle. . .hasn't happened since though.
I haven't checked the compression yet, couple years back I think it varied from 85 psi to 95 psi. Starts in a couple cranks with choke when cold, starts almost immediately when warm. Oil pressure at idle is 20 psi, WOT it's 32 psi with 20w50 oil. I've never adjusted the valves or oil pressure thingy. . .hell, I've never had it opened up at all. Life time raw water cooled in saltwater. Already electronic ignition. She's old and worn, but still kicks hard.
So, how far do you think I should go or need to go? Not that I'm cheap or lazy, but I'm kinda cheap and lazy
My immediate concern is replacing all the paper gaskets, rear seal, cleaning up the rust, and painting it. The head has a couple paint bubbles with dried rust stains bleeding through, so that needs to be repaired at a minimum (or replaced). Head gaskets need to be replaced. Water jacket needs to be investigated and cleaned out (I know it's bad, but not how bad). If the block isn't rotted out, Fresh Water cooling is a option. Also need to redo the exhaust (has 8 90* elbows, lol). That isn't dependent on me having the engine out though.
Since it is out, and will be apart, is it worth while to go full bore rebuild? Any advice on a just a refresh? Or just fix what I planned and get it back in the boat before it becomes one of "those" projects?
Thanks!
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