How big/expensive of a job am I looking at?

[CapnRob85]

Hi All,

I’m a new owner of a 1971 Ericson 29, in Long Beach, CA. Very little info on PO, and the boat seems to have been in the middle of a project when the Marina foreclosed on the boat for past due slip fees, resulting in a lien sale to me. I’m very happy with the price paid even if the engine is a wash, but I’m hopeful that I can clean up and refurb this A4 (cylinder head MIA) and get her running again. I have someone in the Marina taking a look at it next week; he has worked on a lot of A4’s around, and he’s also prob going to be selling me his services, so I want to get an honest opinion from the Afourians! Is my A4 worth saving or selling for parts? What is it worth, and/or how much am I looking at to get her running again if I do the work... understandably these three pics aren’t much to go on, but any guidance is valuable!

Thanks,
Rob

[Ando]

Welcome to the forum, Rob, and congratulations on your acquisition. You are in good hands here. With a used cylinder head cover and it’s gaskets, you’re looking at ~$400 (Including shipping). It looks like you may also need the fly wheel cover, gasket for it and it’s studs (another ~$100).

Other than that, I personally wouldn’t know where to start, but I’m sure the crew will chime in soon and when they do, I’d be happy to help you with actual execution of those suggestions as I am not too far away (San Pedro). I’m interested to see if they think it is salvageable. It’d be cool if it is I have a lot of faith in these lil beasts.

[Ando]

...spark plugs, new hoses, oil change out of principle too. Gas, cleaning up the cylinders etc. Then maybe a test run guys and gals?

[Ando]

Thermostat and housing + gasket too. Does it have the spark plug wires? Also another question: looks like it may have been fresh water cooled...or nah?

[Ando]

I also don’t see a starter motor. Is it present?

[Ando]

Alternator + belt?

[Surcouf]

welcome
Any chance the starter / alternator /head are stored somewhere in the boat?

at the minimum, waiting for a decision on your engine, I would recommend you pour MMO in all cylinders and valve guides, and make sure the oil sump is not full of water but full of oil.

good luck!

[zellerj]

how about a drop in replacement?

https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/bpo/d/escondido-universal-atomic-4-freshwater/7182733675.html

[Dave Neptune]

Does the engine turn over at all? I have seen worse looking ones resurrected.

Most important is do you have possession of the missing parts?

I would first clean her up on the top side. The bores look like they may of been filled with oil a good thing. The engine is also in a good position to try knocking the probably stuck pistons loose to get her to spin.

Question is how much do you want to get this engine working and what parts do you have?

There are a few on this site that can be of big help in directing an logical approach to check her out.

Choice is yours.

Also just noticed your new so a big welcome the the Afourian Forum.

Dave Neptune

[joe_db]

The problem here is you have no way to test the block for coolant leaks or compression without a cylinder head, which is $$$$.

[Dave Neptune]

Where in Long Beach?

Dave Neptune

[brewgyver]

https://santabarbara.craigslist.org/...182733675.html

Nice option to have!

[brewgyver]

BTW, the OP did mention that the head was MIA.

[Peter]

I do not see a water pump in image #3

So, unless you have all of these bits, you need

1) head - $437
2) starter - $415
3) alternator - $235
4) water pump - $315
5) temperature sender - ~ $30 and you need to match the gauge to the sender

close to $1500+shipping and you will also need some gaskets, etc...

Hope that helps you think about it.

Peter

[Sam]

Add in a carb, new fuel pump and a distributor, wires etc. Also cover for reversing gear. The way it was stripped down looks like it was to be made lighter for removal. All these old parts must be in a box someplace in the yard if they did not toss it. Alot of folks like a big challenge- don't think a viable financial victory is in sight. My advise is spend the $1500 and get a used good running engine with decent compression etc. [I'd save the auto "halon extinguisher", they are outlawed but work well.]