First time overhaul of A4

[Joslir]

In a couple of weeks I've made plans to remove the atomic 4 from a Catalina 27 that I recently purchased. The boat requires a bit of work and I was told the engine has low compression so I was obviously going to start with an overhaul. I'm a handy DIYer and have done a couple if automobile engine overhauls so I don't expect that this would be problem for me. About the only concern I have is the difficulty in removing it from the engine compartment. I am waiting for delivery of the overhaul manual that I ordered from Moyer Marine and plan on using a similar counterbalance tool that another user has used to simplify the removal. I more than welcome any advice or things to look out for during the removal and overhaul process. Oh, by the way, I'm doing this while the weather is cold and snowy in the marina yard so that I can have it ready before the start of the boating season. The mast is not on the boat so I don't have the luxury of using the boom as a lift; however, I will have the services of the marina to lift the A4 out for me. I will be doing all the disconnecting. I'm sort of a penny pincher to the extent that if I a can do it myself to save money I will, of course without compromising quality or safety. Can anybody recommend an easy cost effective way to put the engine back in without the marina's services, or should I bite the bullet and just have them do that too? They will have to step up the mast for me before the season starts. Again any pointers are welcome.

[alberg]

I have just finished my second overhaul in my Alberg 30 and had the same problem removing the engine. My solution was to strip down the motor in the cabin except for the pistons and cam and dolly it to the car ( your going to do this anyway). I will rent a boom truck in the spring to lift the motor back into the boat where I will install myself.

John

Alberg30

[Don Moyer]

Joslir, I'm attaching a set of instructions we prepared some time ago that may be of some help, except for the part about using the main halyard in lifting theengine.Don

[swokrams]

Hi Joslir,

I have also decided to pull my A-4 out of my 1975 28' Sabre. I might be able to use the boom. Let me know how your overhaul goes. My A-4 really wants some attention and paint.

Steve

[Kelly]

You can go here for some before/after photos of similar projects or here for pictures of a simple rig for lifting the engine out of the boat (and for putting it back in!).

Kelly

[marthur]

Nice rig Kelly. I am very impressed the before and after pictures of the engine.

May I ask what color and type of paint you used? It looks marvelous!

Mike

[Kelly]

Hi Mike,

Of course you can ask the question, but you may not like the response: I live in France so the paint may be particular to the country. It's made by Soromap and the color is "Perkins Metallic Blue". It is a spray paint.

That's the finishing coat. I started with an anti-rust primer made by Loctite (sp?) called "Frameto". I followed this with a Soromap engine paint primer before finishing with the blue.

Hope this help.

Kelly

[castinemarine]

New to the forum

Hello Joslir,

I am looking into my options for overhauling or replacing the A4 in my 72' C+C 35 Mk I. I am new to the forum and looking forward to the wealth of information here! So I'll be looking to absorb any information I can get from this thread as well as the many others I have barely browsed.