Acquired a new-to-me A4

[sastanley]

I have been working on buying a replacement A4 for a while. The objective being when mine finally blows a rod or something, I am ready to go.. When I re-painted the hull in 2019, this motor was being removed from a Catalina 27 that was being cut up in the same yard. It had a Moyer sticker on it, so I am assuming it has been rebuilt. I have chatted with Ken and we are working on the motor's history.
The yard guys said they had it running in the boat before they cut it up, and then it sat under a tarp for a couple years until the price was right.
My boat is a '77 and this block is a '73, but it is in MUCH better shape than my motor.
It has an MMI head on it. It had a PTO on the flywheel, and 2nd water pump and antifreeze in the cooling jacket so looks like in its 2nd life was FWC.
Next steps are to pressure test the cooling side, and then see if it turns over, and do a compression check and ultimately maybe see if it runs. Winter project.

I put a couple hours on my A4 this weekend with zero problems...just trying to plan ahead.

[lat 64]

Sweet!

Like last picture too .
Say hi to L.

[sastanley]

Thanks, Russ!! I will! We had an excellent sailing day yesterday here in Solomons...almost Indian summer like. October is the best sailing time here in my opinion.
Here are a couple more!

[chapster5]

Good plan !! I picked up a spare Atomic a few years ago, sitting on a cart in the shed should I ever need it.

My thinking is as long as I have it I will never need it ( I know what would happen if I ever got rid of it ).

Chapster5

[W2ET]

Shawn:

Drum Point?

Bill

[Dave Neptune]

Shawn, looks like a keeper. However I must say in "my experience" I have found the A-4 to be extremely reliable when properly maintained. I bought my A-4 (when seized) and built my own EI from existing parts. After 34 years and only once being stuck at the dock (for 2 hours) until I plumbed in an electric fuel pump once the parts house opened. That was the only TIME in 34 years, amazing.

Hopefully the new A-4 becomes a display and conversation piece as your A-4 probably will keep on a-runnin .

Dave Neptune

[sastanley]

Shawn:

Drum Point?

Bill

Bill...Affirmative!

Dave, What I am worried about is the block rusting thru on my old motor..it was not very well maintained and I am starting to have trouble keeping the side plate sealed from all the corrosion. I didn't expect it to run for 12 more years once I got it running again, but you're probably right..maybe I will never need it

[sastanley]

Update time....
Motor would turn, but not a full revolution with the hand crank.

Off with its head!

#2 shows some rust, but a little spray with the head off and now we can spin it. That also sputzed out a little water/oil from the crankcase, so probably time to tear this sucker all the way down.

[scratchee]

I'm up near Deale, and picked up a couple salvaged A4's about this time last year. I tore one down completely, and the other is still sitting on blocks in unknown internal condition (probably some water in it, from what I was told).

Let me know if you need a critical part, and I may be able to make a trade, loan, or gift.

[sastanley]

Thanks, scratchee...I did not realize we were only 45 minutes apart!