Love my Atomic Four

[romantic comedy]

Yesterday I got the Atomic Four running after its summer sleep. Here in Fl I sail in the winter and summarize it for the off season. I am late this year getting started.

My 74 Tartan 34 has a great engine, and celebrated 40 years this year.

I had taken the carb off as part of my annual ritual, but never got around to doing the take apart- clean- reassemble. SO I just put it on.

I ran some gas thru the fuel line by jumping the pump at the starter.
Ran some MMO thru the cylinders.
Put both impellers back in the water pumps.
Checked the points, and decided to replace them and condenser with new. They looked ok, but what the heck, they are a few years old.
Check antifreeze level.

Checked the timing statically, and it was good.
Filled the carb by jumping the fuel pump again.
Clean sea water strainer. Open seacock.

Up to the cockpit and get her started. Full choke, and turn the key. I just laugh that I have a key and not a push button.

A few seconds and zoom. Lots of smoke. Check over the side to see if it is pumping. Plenty of water. Do a dance in the cock pit. Head below. (choke off)

Things look fine. Let is get warm, and adjust the idle screw. In and out, la, la, la.. Ok at 500 rpm. Back up

Engage the forward. Good. A little gas, feels like it is bogging. Makes sense since the prop is encased in barnacles. Same in reverse. Rev it up a bit and see the wash sideways, but not back. Yep, same as ever. Good.

Get the timing light. Check the timing and advance. Make a small adjustment. Good.

Shut down. Remove plugs, open throttle. DO compression test.
120
115
112
117

Do a really big happy dance.
Call wife, tell her the news.
Put it all back together and run again, to be sure. On with the engine cover.
Find the divers number.

On to the 1000 items to do on the boat.

It was a good day.

Merry Christmas, new sails for everyone.

[sastanley]

Merry Christmas, RC.

My daughter is at my home on Christmas Eve for the first time in forever..a good day indeed.

[Rbyham]

Sounds like my experience with a4. Good stuff. Merry Christmas to all as well. Hoping for a quick Christmas day sail later with daughter who is in town.

[Mo]

Merry Christmas RC....good to hear all is well. Cool.