12 year olds rebuild

[Baltimore Sailor]

This raises an interesting thought that might make for a good poll question: if your A4 totally died beyond recovery, would you (A) replace with a diesel, (B) replace with another A4, or (C) hang an outboard off the transom?

I only paid $6500 for my '78 Newport 28. I don't think I could justify the expense of putting a diesel in, thought it might be a tossup between a new A4 or an outboard. Outboards are expensive -- I don't think it would be too hard to find an outboard more expensive than a new A4, and I like having an inboard engine as a power supply.

[Mark Millbauer]

My sense is that boats over approximately 25' or so, unless they were made for an outboard, operating the outboard is a royal pain in the neck. Don't get me wrong, there are many benefits to an outboard but reaching controls and raising and lowering it can be a hassle if the boat does not have a well or some other designed in feature for outboards. Besides, and outboard hanging off the back is kind of out of place looking on sailboats we are used to seeing without them. But then again I'm a bit bias as I have an inboard A4. What more could one want?

Mark

[hanleyclifford]

An outboard would be ok for getting in and out of the marina and knocking around the harbor but if you plan on moving thru big water (like the Chesapeake) or running the Sound or the Jersey coast, you better have your engine in the boat with you!

[Laker]

In the first page of this thread Lat posted a picture of a simple engine bench. Anyone know the dimension between the fore & aft stiringers upon which the A4 is resting ? Probably alresdy given , but I did not find it.

Thanks ,

Laker

[hanleyclifford]

According to the Universal spec sheets the dimension athwarthship motor mount to motor mount is 11 1/2" on center.

[Laker]

Ah , yes , I remeber now. Thanks.

[UsailIbail!]

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of your help

It has been quite an experience...

Ebben

[UsailIbail!]

There is really nothing like taking apart an engine...it's quite an expierience

[hanleyclifford]

The next phase

To all - Jay and Ebben just left with (new to them) A4. The saga of the 12 year old rebuild now enters a new chapter. Let's give them all the help possible. Regards, Hanley

[CruiserHopeful]

To all - Jay and Ebben just left with (new to them) A4. The saga of the 12 year old rebuild now enters a new chapter. Let's give them all the help possible. Regards, Hanley

you gave it to them for free?

what luck! you guys are too kind, it's too bad I don't have nice people like you near me

[ndutton]

Hanley,
That was a very nice thing to do, above and beyond the call.

[sastanley]

excellent...great picture! Look at that grin!

[UsailIbail!]

That motor sure is a thing of beauty! Thanks for everyone's enthusiasm towards the project!

Ebben

[UsailIbail!]

I made a video of all of the picture from picking up the engine... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10SF4lTjt5Y

Ebben

[ArtJ]

Can we assume the person running the John Deere is Hanley?

Regards to all

Art