Baltimore MD Atomic 4 Mechanic

[markus]

Hi Everyone,
Can someone please assist me I’m trying to find a good mechanic in Baltimore area. Have a 1977 Catalina and its engine needs work. Any direction would be highly appreciated!! Thank you 🙏

[ronstory]

Welcome to the forum. Before you wander off to pay a mechanic, what challenges are you experiencing with your engine?

We have been know to be quite helpful.

[markus]

Thank you!
I would like to learn how to do many things to this engine I just don’t feel to comfortable doing work on it myself yet. That being said the engine turns over but doesn’t run. It never ran since I bought it and I figured I needed someone to look at help me out. I did buy a new carburetor and electric ignition and throttle cable. Any help would be welcomed

[JOHN COOKSON]

In order to start the engine needs three things happen inside the cylinders: Spark, fuel, and compression. The spark needs occur at the right time and the choke must be fully closed.

Let's start by figuring out which of these is missing is missing in your engine.
Here are some easy tests for each:
Compression: Remove the spark plugs hold your thumb over a spark plug hole while you turn the engine with the starter. There should be enough compression to force your thumb away.
Spark:Pull the large wire out of the center distributor and hold it near the engine while turning the engine with the starter. A 3/4" or longer blue white spark is good.
Fuel: Do the spark plugs smell of raw gas after a period of no start cranking?

These are basic, quick, and easy tests - they cover most possibilities. Report back what you find and we'll go from there. Others will have other approaches. Do what ever makes the most sense to you.

A word of caution:KEEP THE RAW COOLING WATER INTAKE VALVE CLOSED WHEN CRANKING A NO START ENGINE. Cooling water can pile up in the exhaust system and end up in the engine with no exhaust pressure to force it out.

ex TRUE GRIT

Edit: Another welcome to the forum. You're one of us now.

[Surcouf]

Welcome to the forum!
I went from being able of nothing, to removing my engine and partially overhauling it with the Afourians' help. I could never find a qualified mechanic to help me...
and to support your investigations, I strongly recommend the Boss' videos,

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8G5eWR1ieTOSSLXZhCBdJg

and the Moyer Marine Manual is a MUST HAVE. They will help you step by step.

https://moyermarine.com/product-category/manuals/

The day you manage to get your engine to fire, and then the day you will have it running reliably (those 2 days won't be the same), you will be proud, and you will have saved a bunch of money...

[markus]

Thank you guys for the help! I really appreciate it. I will checkout your suggestions John next week I’ll be down at the boat then. I do have a Moyer manual and have watched many of his videos too. I’ll report back my findings. Thanks again to all of you.

[edwardc]

Hi Markus. Welcome to the forum!

Under normal circumstances, I'd offer to to take a look at it (we keep our boat just outside of Baltimore), but Covid has made this past year anything but normal. Still, vaccines are getting out there, and we may soon see things gradually back to normal (whatever "normal" is now!).

Where are you located? We're on Rock Creek, just south of Key Bridge.

[markus]

Hi Edward! Appreciate it. I’m located in Anchorage Marina. Hopefully everything will go back to normal soon. 🙏

[edwardc]

I know the place. One of my oldest friends and sailing buddies keeps his sailboat (S/V Voyager) there.

Since I'm a greybeard, I've just gotten my second dose of vaccine, so I should be about as safe as is possible in around three weeks. Hopefully you'll have the A4 all sorted out by then, but if not, I'd be willing to arange a meetup if you're comfortable with that.

[markus]

Sure that would be great! Maybe your buddy is my neighbor there you never know...I have a few great neighbors there. Great folks! I’ll let you know how I make out. Really appreciate the assistance! 🙏

[joe_db]

http://vosbury-marine.com/

These guys were the go-to place for A4 parts and repairs. If anyone around here still works on them, they would be the ones.

That said, you will be well served to learn to do it yourself.

[Launchpad McQ]

Markus I just wanted to double down on what the others have said ^^^^ I know it's intimidating trying to figure out where to start, especially if you're coming from a little-no boat/mechanical/engine repair background. If you want some affirmation of just how little knowledge you need to start with, how dumb you can be, and with a little time and patience get your engine running, read the beginning of my thread:

My Catalina Saga

I know it's tempting to assume a friendly, knowledgable, and local A-4 mechanic is just a phone call away to swoop in and quickly get the engine running for a fair price and all you need to do is find him. If you're lucky that might be possible but my experience led me to realize that mechanic is here, on this website in the form of all these contributors. After some learning, patience, and a little bit of research, that mechanic will be you.

Any problem that's preventing your engine from running has already been discovered by countless others before us and requisite repair techniques are well documented. I don't mean to go all Karate-Kid-turned-Tony-Robbins-inspirational-speech on you here so here's some actionable advice on how you start:

1. Read your Moyer Manual a couple times cover-to-cover to get a basic understanding of the engine. Ideally, do this on the boat where you can see the engine and associate the descriptions with the actual parts.
   
   
2. Watch all the videos that Don has produced. The YouTube videos, his DVD's, and downloadable Mp4s. Every dollar/minute you spend will save you two.
   
   
3. Binge read this forum. Use the Search bar to find threads that apply to your problem. "engine won't crank" "engine won't start" "engine cranks but won't start" "no fuel in carbueretor" "no spark at spark plugs" will bring up a bunch of threads if that's your problem.
   
   
4. If you're still stuck, post the question in the appropriate category on the forum, be as specific as possible in your description even if you don't know what the "dome-looking thingy on the top of the engine" is, and include pictures. The more, the better.
   
   
5. Failing that, get on the phone and call Ken. Just make sure you don't need to be anywhere for at least an hour. Hi Ken!
   
   
6. Failing that, have a 6-pack waiting for @edwardc when his vaccine kicks in and he comes over to give you a hand.

If your experience is like mine, some of the well-intentioned dockside advice/wisdom you'll receive will be tone-deaf of your situation. You might hear things like "just throw a diesel in there instead" when you paid under $10k for the boat and putting in a different engine would cost more than the value of the boat. Or things like "That guy Tony knows something about those A-4s" and when he comes down to your boat, he asks for beer but doesn't know the difference between an early model and late model. You might be surprised how quickly you become the knowledgable one people ask for help.

Let 'er rip...

[markus]

Thanks Jonathan appreciate the wit and humor as well. I viewed some of what your previous posts were...Scary stuff with the fuel line against the hot exhaust that would be the kind of thing I would fear the most. Good idea to review the Moyer manual on the boat for the exact reason you say, will do this more. Appreciate all your advice!

[Oldlaxer1]

Markus, if you haven't figured out the problem yet, let me know. I live on board at the Anchorage and would be happy to take a look to see if I can point you in the right direction.
John

[edwardc]

Since I'm well past my secoond vaccination dose, I'd be happy to run up there and take a look if you still need help.

BTW, my friends at the Anchorage are Jack and Marybeth, aboard S/V Voyager. They're getting ready to depart on a trip south next week.