Vire 7 vs Atomic 4

[Hover212]

Hello.
I have purchased a Bristol 29 that had an Atomic 4 in it before the previous owner threw it out. I own a Vire 7 and have access to another atomic 4 and was wondering which I should put in. The previous owner hates Atomic 4 and says I would ber crazy to put one back in as they do nothing but break down and the "inverted" carburator could flood the bilge etc etc . I would end up "more time at the dock then sailing". Anyways, not sure how much of a problem it would be putting the Vire in but it is a single cylinder and I imagine it would be easier to keep running.

Anybody else out ther "hate" Atomic 4's. I need some more opinions!!

Any advice would be great
Glenn

 

[Eddie7045]

Hover, I can see maintaining an existing Atomic4

but if you have to take the thing out for an overhaul or replacement, you would be much better off to replace it with a diesel. There are no manufacturers of small inboard marine engines anymore. Because of that, you are faced with maintainance nightmares as well as the hazard of explosion. There is also the reduced resale value. You will save little by dropping in an Atomic4 and lose in the long run.

 

[BobM]

Re: Hover, I can see maintaining an existing Atomic4

There is very good support for the venerable atomic four, including upgrades to make it run better, from Moyer Marine. http://www.moyermarine.com/ You can even get a complete rebuild. You do still have a gas engine, which means you need to be more careful than with a diesel, but it will not lack for power with 30 hp vs the Vire 7 (which is also a gas engine http://gofree.indigo.ie/~vire7/ (unofficial home page).

 

[higgs]

I had a boat with a single cylinder gas engine and it noisy and rough. Not real pleasant to have running. I did keep that boat almost 15 years.

The next boat I bought, I also had for almost 15 years and it had an A4. It was much quieter and smoother running. No question it was far superior to the single cylinder With yearly maintenance these engines will run for years. Parts and advice are readily available.

If it were me, I would not even consider the one lunger.

 

[Ron20324]

Someone- but I don't recall who- makes a direct drop-in diesel for the A4.

 

[djplatt@cogeco.ca]

A well tuned atomic 4 is a lot quieter than a diesel. Diesels also like to be run hard for extended periods and do not do well just putting in and out of the harbour. I got rid of my diesel and went back to a outboard. Don't think I woud put one on a 29 though.

Cheers

david

 

[LANCE ON CLOUD NINE]

If you are going to keep the boat awhile, and motor alot, check out a Beta marine diesel. They offer a direct bolt in replacement for the A-4. Super smooth, easy to service- based on a Kubota engine. http://www.betamarinenc.com/

 

[shemandr]

I had an atomic 4 for five years and liked the engine. It is smooth, reasonably quiet and powerful. It was the last engine I could do all the maintenace including carb rebuilds, fuel pump rebuilts etc.
The problem I had with it was the alcohol/gas fuel mixtures. They would create the orange sludge which would foul the carb. Once I replaced the fuel tank and added a quality fuel filter, I had no more problems with that.
The Zenith carborator I had could flood the bilge if the float valve became stuck and if the tank is above the carb. That's why its good practice to turn off the main fuel line every time you leave the boat.

 

[nightowle]

Love my atomic bomb. I have at least some knowledge to work on a gas engine.....none on a diesel. Parts and advice are easy to come by. For me, it's been very reliable and inexpensive to run.

 

[tommays]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G5pV_N4QbM


Its only a bit harder than a lawnmower to keep running right

 

[Barnacle Bill]

The Vire is a Westerbeke product. They made a couple different sizes. The thing about an Atomic 4 is it is 4 cylinders (get the connection?) and it is 30 HP. A Vire is under 10 HP for both models. Westerbeke is a great inboard, but finding Vire parts is difficult. No problem finding used or new parts for an A-4. BTW, any engine, gas or diesel will be noisier if it only has one cylinder. The more pistons the smoother and quieter it will operate. There are many thousands of A-4's still in service and are considered to be a great engine. The biggest problem with them is they burn points. Most people who can't get their engine running think it is a gas problem and they concentrate on that. Most of the time if you replace the points and gap them to a match book cover, they fire right away. So keep an extra set of points on board. Also, electronic ignitions are available as a retrofit if you don't like points. They also have electric fuel pumps to retro as well. If you pull an A-4 and go with a diesel, then you have to find an engine with the same footprint (Beta is one) or modify the motor bearers. You also have to consider different filters, different fuel lines (and return lines), swapping out the ignition key panel, etc. It is more work than you think. Putting in another A-4 might be less problematic and cheaper in the long run.