I had hoped cleaning carburetor was my only problem. When running I had more power, but there was a "pounding" noise, as though at the top of each stroke a valve was tapping the top of the piston. Oc course I know that is not possible; I'm just trying to describe the noise.
Anyway, it was consistent, and I lived with it. One problem is that it has been so long since I have had my Atomic 4 running the way I'd like that I have forgotten what it was supposed to sound like. Now I think I may have a "big" problem.
Returning to the marina, the "pounding" noise suddenly became louder, and in several revolutions the engine had stopped. I called for a tow to the marina and on arrival went home--with an unhappy feeling, that I had thrown a rod.
Today I went back to the boat and this is what I find. I can rotate the crankshaft, the pistons move up and down as scheduled, there is compression tested with my finger, the valves are all in place and moving up and down.
However, when I change the direction of rotation, there is 20 degrees of free motion before the distributor rotor starts moving in the opposite direction and before the camshaft starts to move.
So I know there is a gear on the crankshaft that drives both the camshaft and the distributor-waterpump gears. It would seem that has to be the problem. Is it keyed to the crankshaft?
Can I check anything without removing the engine? My recollection is that everything is inside, except on the ignition side. I'm wondering if I can remove the ignition side assembly and see anything that may give me a clue.
Of course what I am hoping is that this is a well known problem and there is a solution.
Anyway, it was consistent, and I lived with it. One problem is that it has been so long since I have had my Atomic 4 running the way I'd like that I have forgotten what it was supposed to sound like. Now I think I may have a "big" problem.
Returning to the marina, the "pounding" noise suddenly became louder, and in several revolutions the engine had stopped. I called for a tow to the marina and on arrival went home--with an unhappy feeling, that I had thrown a rod.
Today I went back to the boat and this is what I find. I can rotate the crankshaft, the pistons move up and down as scheduled, there is compression tested with my finger, the valves are all in place and moving up and down.
However, when I change the direction of rotation, there is 20 degrees of free motion before the distributor rotor starts moving in the opposite direction and before the camshaft starts to move.
So I know there is a gear on the crankshaft that drives both the camshaft and the distributor-waterpump gears. It would seem that has to be the problem. Is it keyed to the crankshaft?
Can I check anything without removing the engine? My recollection is that everything is inside, except on the ignition side. I'm wondering if I can remove the ignition side assembly and see anything that may give me a clue.
Of course what I am hoping is that this is a well known problem and there is a solution.
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