O.K. you all convinced me the outboard is a bad idea. Can anyone suggest where I might get a list of engines that would be acceptable replacements. P/O says current rusted out engine is a Atomic diesel(not gas). It was suibmerged in salt water up to about 4 inches from the top, so I assumed it could not be rebuilt. I looked for websites that might provide that info. but haven't found anything yet. Thanks for all your feedback
Replacement diesel instead of outboard?
- Thread starter riversailor
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Can it be rebuilt?
I know you said the engine is in pretty bad shape but is there any way you can rebuild it? Repowering, especialy from gas to diesel is going to be a bear. You need new controls, wiring, gauges, etc. aside from just the engine and transmision mounting. Fuel tank too will need to come out for cleaning. I went through a similar problem on my Catalina and it turned out rebuilding the old Yanmar I had in there made all the sense in the world at a fraction of the cost. Are you handy or will a yard do all the work? I think the A4 can be rebuilt as parts are redily available. Rob
I know you said the engine is in pretty bad shape but is there any way you can rebuild it? Repowering, especialy from gas to diesel is going to be a bear. You need new controls, wiring, gauges, etc. aside from just the engine and transmision mounting. Fuel tank too will need to come out for cleaning. I went through a similar problem on my Catalina and it turned out rebuilding the old Yanmar I had in there made all the sense in the world at a fraction of the cost. Are you handy or will a yard do all the work? I think the A4 can be rebuilt as parts are redily available. Rob
two inexpensive alternatives
to the common Yanmars are Vetus and Beta Marine for a new engine or you might want to search for a re-built diesel presuming your A4 is a diesel.
to the common Yanmars are Vetus and Beta Marine for a new engine or you might want to search for a re-built diesel presuming your A4 is a diesel.
Not gas, diesel
Previous owner was emphatic that it was a diesel not a gas engine. Having never owned an inboard I'm not not sure if I would be more of a help or hinderance trying to rebuild. This boat is going to be used eventually for youth sailing program so I want to be sure it is done right. Thanks
Previous owner was emphatic that it was a diesel not a gas engine. Having never owned an inboard I'm not not sure if I would be more of a help or hinderance trying to rebuild. This boat is going to be used eventually for youth sailing program so I want to be sure it is done right. Thanks
Check Craigslist
I looked on Craigslist for your area - it looks like there is a guy in Morehead City who buys non-functioning motors, so maybe you could work out a partial trade for a rebuilt working motor if he has one that fits and is the appropriate horsepower: http://eastnc.craigslist.org/boa/ It's the post from Sunday "WANTED OLD BOATS AND MOTORS (MOREHEAD CITY)" Good luck!
I looked on Craigslist for your area - it looks like there is a guy in Morehead City who buys non-functioning motors, so maybe you could work out a partial trade for a rebuilt working motor if he has one that fits and is the appropriate horsepower: http://eastnc.craigslist.org/boa/ It's the post from Sunday "WANTED OLD BOATS AND MOTORS (MOREHEAD CITY)" Good luck!
Take a look and see if it's got spark plugs
and a distributor or not, we trust you, we just got no faith in the PO.
and a distributor or not, we trust you, we just got no faith in the PO.
There are or were exact replacements in diesel
for the gas Atomic 4. They aren't 4 cylinder but they have the same foot print and match the shaft height and position. The PO may have his names scrambled but the basic info may be correct. There should be a manual somewhere for the engine. All engines CAN be rebuilt but the question always comes down to the money.
for the gas Atomic 4. They aren't 4 cylinder but they have the same foot print and match the shaft height and position. The PO may have his names scrambled but the basic info may be correct. There should be a manual somewhere for the engine. All engines CAN be rebuilt but the question always comes down to the money.
what boat
What Boat are we talking about and what year? How long was the engine submerged? A few days or a month or 3 years? that can make a huge difference. Good chance that you don't have to rebuild the engine. Have you called Moyer yet 717-625-3891 . We all think that you have an A-4 witch is a gas engine that will never die Last thing I would do would be re-power into a diesel unless you are going to marry the boat and get rid of your wife.
What Boat are we talking about and what year? How long was the engine submerged? A few days or a month or 3 years? that can make a huge difference. Good chance that you don't have to rebuild the engine. Have you called Moyer yet 717-625-3891 . We all think that you have an A-4 witch is a gas engine that will never die Last thing I would do would be re-power into a diesel unless you are going to marry the boat and get rid of your wife.
atomic diesel
Universal did make a diesel they called the Atomic. Easy to tell if you are not sure, as the A4 will have spark plugs right on top of the engine - can't miss them. The boat is a Morgan IO 28, correct? I seriously doubt an A4 was put in this boat.
Universal did make a diesel they called the Atomic. Easy to tell if you are not sure, as the A4 will have spark plugs right on top of the engine - can't miss them. The boat is a Morgan IO 28, correct? I seriously doubt an A4 was put in this boat.
More
Step one is to see if the engine will turn over. If starter is shot, try cranking it by hand. Most diesels have a lever that will reduce compression for hand cranking. Also, check out this link: http://www.ays.com/library/Universal_Manual_2.pdf
Step one is to see if the engine will turn over. If starter is shot, try cranking it by hand. Most diesels have a lever that will reduce compression for hand cranking. Also, check out this link: http://www.ays.com/library/Universal_Manual_2.pdf
Look at the oil dip stick
Pull the oil dipstick out and see if it says Z500 at the end of the dipstick. Universal made Atomic gas engines and then Diesels. The diesels are Kubota's. I have an Universal 11 HP Diesel in my 1982 Catalina 27. Runs great !!!!!!!! Indestructable. I have overheated it at least 4 times (due to various causes) and it still runs like new. I have sealed up the engine compartment, and added a solar vent to prevent diesel smell in the cabin. I would never have anything other than an inboard diesel!!!! I would like a few more HP and when the diesel needs rebuilding, I will add the HP at that time. Rebuilding isn't that bad, just takes time and patience. I'm sure there are books out there to help you along, plus enough people on the web to guide you through it Good luck.................Emile........from Grace, Old Lyme, CT
Pull the oil dipstick out and see if it says Z500 at the end of the dipstick. Universal made Atomic gas engines and then Diesels. The diesels are Kubota's. I have an Universal 11 HP Diesel in my 1982 Catalina 27. Runs great !!!!!!!! Indestructable. I have overheated it at least 4 times (due to various causes) and it still runs like new. I have sealed up the engine compartment, and added a solar vent to prevent diesel smell in the cabin. I would never have anything other than an inboard diesel!!!! I would like a few more HP and when the diesel needs rebuilding, I will add the HP at that time. Rebuilding isn't that bad, just takes time and patience. I'm sure there are books out there to help you along, plus enough people on the web to guide you through it Good luck.................Emile........from Grace, Old Lyme, CT
Kubota
I have seen the Kubota replacements for Atomic 4's for sale at around 5 - 6 K. Complete with tranny and panel. Been a while, but I bet there are some still around. Check out ebay. But all that said, I would certainly look into rebuilding what I had before buying a replacement.
I have seen the Kubota replacements for Atomic 4's for sale at around 5 - 6 K. Complete with tranny and panel. Been a while, but I bet there are some still around. Check out ebay. But all that said, I would certainly look into rebuilding what I had before buying a replacement.
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