New member SV Nomad

[Airshac]

Hey all thanks for the add. I recently acquired a1969 Hughes 38 with a late model, as far as I can tell, A4. Look forward to browsing for more info and learning a lot about this engine. I am an aircraft mechanic and sold a vw bus to buy the boat so I don’t mind getting my hands dirty. If there are other Hughes owners her I’d love to connect. Peace!

[Sam]

Well, welcome aboard. Just a thought to help you with advise in the future - 1969 might have been a transition year for Hughes. The early model A4's were used from 1963 to 1969 and depending on the particular boat builders stock and you might find them in some 70 & 71's. There were also a few "hybrids" around that have some combined early and late model components. When need be post a few pics of the front, top & sides. Cooling, distributor, carburetor etc could all be different. Generally the advise received is good for both models, as in the Moyer manual etc, but sometimes you may need to get specific. Again, welcome.

[Airshac]

Well, welcome aboard. Just a thought to help you with advise in the future - 1969 might have been a transition year for Hughes. The early model A4's were used from 1963 to 1969 and depending on the particular boat builders stock and you might find them in some 70 & 71's. There were also a few "hybrids" around that have some combined early and late model components. When need be post a few pics of the front, top & sides. Cooling, distributor, carburetor etc could all be different. Generally the advise received is good for both models, as in the Moyer manual etc, but sometimes you may need to get specific. Again, welcome.

Thanks! I was actually wondering if there were hybrids because mine looked to have components of both. I’ll be at the boat next weekend and get a few pictures.

[ronstory]

Welcome to the forum. If you haven't see it yet, MMI has pretty example of a hybrid on their website at https://moyermarine.com/mmi360/index.html

I will likely miss something, but there are experts to help me out.

Newer block (oil fill in front)
Newer head and thermostat
Old style flywheel and housing
Newer style 5 bolt carb
Electric fuel pump vs the older diaphragm mechanical
Oil fill in back? (maybe a newer thing)
Newer delco distributor vs older prestolite with clips

Anything else I missed?

[Marian Claire]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the Neuse River/Pamlico Sound area.
Dan
S/V Marian Claire

[edwardc]

...
Oil fill in back? (maybe a newer thing)
...

The oil fill in "back", on top of the reversing gear cover, was a feature added to engines that were destined to be installed in a boat with a V-drive. Since V-drive engines are mounted "backwards", this made the oil fill easily accessible.

My original late-model v-drive engine had two oil fills! The original one on the flywheel end (which was never used), and the one on the reversing gear cover.

My current rebuilt engine uses an early-model block (with no flywheel end oil fill) built up with otherwise late model parts. The only "gotcha" I encountered was with the accessory drive. In early model engines, the distributor hold-down clamp was mounted on the accessory drive. On late model engines, it is on the block. Trying to put a late-model accessory drive on an early-model block meant you had to drill and tap a hole in the block, right on top of the piece that the accessory drive and water pump bolt to.