Thanks, Rick, for the encouragement! I have a great guy working on it now that got his running so I'm excited!
1973 Pearson 30 with Atomic 4
- Thread starter LakeMurraySailor
- Start date
Just learn to do a compression test. It's not difficult. That will tell you a great deal about the internal condition of the engine itself. Anything else that needs fixed will likely be cheap stuff.
You can buy a compression tester cheap at harborfreight tools. You just unscrew the spark plugs and screw the hose in. Turn the engine over and watch how high the compression goes. Verify each cylinder pressure is similar to the adjacent cylinders. On a gas engine if it has compression, fuel in the cylinder, and spark, it should run. If you find low compression put a teaspoon or so of motor oil in each spark plug hole and recheck. If the compression goes up to normal, the problem is piston rings. If it doesn't the problem is most likely a valve issue (rebuild the head.) This really is simple testing. It isn't rocket science. If you're still nervous it shouldn't take a mechanic long to check it for you. Personally I think you should try yourself. You can't hurt it.
Ken
Thanks Ken! Now that the head is finally off, I guess a valve job is next and we'll go from there. Again, thanks to all for the encouragement! Hopefully we'll be posting more about recent progress!
Lee,
I was picking at you. I've been sailing on Lake Murray for only a year and a half. We moved from Wateree Lake to Lake Murray in September of 2014. Those who don't go to Lake Murray think it's too crowded and over-commercialized. I know because I was one of those non-believers. So far we've found it to be busy at times but never crowded. And we often feel like we're the only ones on the water. Especially when school is in session. And power boaters respect sailboats like you never see on Wateree. And we LOVE having restaurants that are open year round. I should have listened to my First Mate years ago.
p.s. You still haven't turned in your assignment.
he wants to know when he turns it in........ do you want it with or without frog legs Kermit
I know Kermit, I was right there with you! I lived in Yacht Cove for seven years(2007-2014) and sailed on Lake Murray every day! Your First Mate is very smart! No frog legs for me Woodster, they are all yours!
Regarding the rebuild, I spoke to Don at Moyer Marine (www.MoyerMarine.com). The plan going forward is to remove the last two studs, order a new set and put them in, put in the head gasket, and them do a compression test. Someplace in that list, I need to turn the motor over several times and clean the valves, for sure. In at least two of the valves, head gasket like material was caught between the valve and the seat, along with LOTS of carbon. The engine block, between cylinders two and three, had a shadow, and artifact of communications between the pistons.
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Bob, you're a magician with that motor! I'm thrilled and can almost hear it purring in the distance(or is that a bee buzzing in my ear)! Haha! Great job, man!
Just wondering were you able to turn it over before you removed the head? If you did turn it over, did you do a compression test?
No. Four of eight head bolts were already out and the remaining four were twisted off at the top of the head. So, to go forward, I had to get the head off, remove the last four studs (now I have only two to drill out), clean the cylinders well, put the head on, and then compression test.