Diagnosis ideas?-I may throw this thing overboard

[bigoledave]

Ok....I have had my Columbia 29 for 31 years.....A4 RWC....I just aborted a long cruise due to major engine issues. I compiled all the events and thoughts
on what happened in a pdf file I have attached. I am a good mechanic..and MAY plod on with this engine ..BUT..I am also 72 and
when I was spitting out a mouthful of gas in my sink in the galley 2 days ago I was wondering if I may have finally had it with inboard gas engines. Thoughts
of Tesla's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Solar panels!!! blah..blah...blah.....anyhow, if you are bored, read my attached PDF file and throw me some ideas as how to proceed. This next effort may be a diagnosis...and very possibly an autopsy(!)
CHEERS!!!

[ndutton]

I read your report and offer the following comments:

• Spark at the plugs is not yet confirmed.
• Recommend a cooling system pressure test, block and manifold separately.
• Prolonged cranking with the intake thru-hull open and a standpipe installed will not cause a water incursion. Clarification: a standpipe in good condition and properly installed.
• How is the appearance of the crankcase oil? Clean honey color, black or mocha?
• #3 no compression could be as simple as a valve stuck open.
• With raw water in the cylinders keep adding Marvel Mystery Oil in the spark plug holes and turn the engine regularly to prevent seizure while you're sorting things out.

[bigoledave]

Excellent suggestions

Thanks very much to ndutton....good ideas....I will go to see the patient
tomorrow for a wellness check....

[bigoledave]

All good!!!----running perfectly!!

So..since I could not restart my engine 3 weeks ago....I went
through the predictable mind games..

1) Throw this engine out....have a Kubota 16 or 20 put in at
a yard while I watch TV. ( ..guessing maybe 12-14k ??--WHEW)

2) Throw the engine out.....go green...get a system from Electric
boat for $7k or so...( OOPS..forgot I needed 8 100ah lithium
batteries at $900 each, a Honda generator...some 48v solar
panels....maybe a wind generator too??)

3) Get a "new engine" from Moyer..( yikes..just for a short block
plus shipping and core deposit you need 7k!.....and what a big
job to do "right")

4) Identify exactly WHY it won't run, buy new parts if needed...clean
parts that need it....take your time and do it right!

I picked step 4 and performed these tasks:

1) Removed rusted and crudded exhaust riser and elbow. Buy and
install Moyer "tartan 10" SS standpipe, 304 ss elbow and Moyer
adaptor plate (which required dramatic angle face mod to allow the
standpipe to lean forward 5-10 degrees. I did this on a 3/4 hp belt
sander with a new 60 grit belt.)

2) New rotor...the one in there was modified to fit the Indigo electronic
ignition kit...and looked like some brass was exposed on the rotor
underside.

3) New manifold gasket and one broken stud replaced. ( $10 3/8-16 ss
3 foot rod from Amazon instead of pricey Moyer stud.)

4) Carb totally disassembled....part soak for 2 days in carb cleaner.

5) Coil wire reversed so that 90 degree terminal now correctly on
coil...not jammed in on distributor cap like I had it.

6) New main jet needle and seat....my mistake!...the needle has
a viton tip which was destroyed by carb cleaner soak.

7) Spin on gas filter removed..replaced. (Had to suck on tank hose
to get it flowing...never again...now I have small hand pump)

8) Removed crossover water pipe...drilled some rust out...new gaskets.

9 )Put it all back together ( *** carb bolt trick...switch to two SS allen bolts
and get an allen wrench with a ball end. This makes getting the carb
on and off a 30 second process!!)

10) Put a capful of Marvel oil in each spark plug hole and cranked a bit.
When I did a "thumb test" of compression, #3 was very poor.
The Marvel oil amazingly fixed it....must have been a stuck valve?

Sooooo...fired it up today...I have NEVER had it idle like this...I am
guessing I can run it at 400 rpm.....smooth as glass....revs up with
no lag. These engines are simple and just rely on basic physics!!!