On Sun, 22 Jan 2006 13:23:43 GMT, "Thomas Wentworth"
wrote:


QUESTION;; CAN A LOCAL ENGINE REBUILDER DO AS GOOD A JOB AS MOYER?

Yes. I have done this, twice (don't ask, but it wasn't the Atomic 4's
fault, and now I have a spare). Total cost to me: $1,200 Cdn. There is
nothing about an Atomic 4 that will faze a competent gas engine
rebuilder, particularly of cars from the 40s to the 60s.

My A4 did 100 hours last season, from just August 1 to October 15,
after it was reinstalled. It's a rebuilt '73 with several mods. The
only thing I want to do further is to add a PCV kit and rig both water
and oil pressure alarms. The engine starts within 2 seconds in the
summer and in about 4 seconds on near-freezing days. I added a basket
filter ($20), a Vetus waterlock (free to me), new exhaust hose ($60)
and a new fuel tank ($200? can't remember) plus a fuel/water separator
and a couple of sensors. This has made it a happy and reliable engine
that doesn't backfill the exhaust anymore, which was due to a dead
waterlift muffler, NOT a cracked block as I mistakenly and
despairingly assumed.

WHAT WOULD BE THE MOST ECONOMICAL METHOD TO FOLLOW?

I would say that depends on where you are, your time frame and your
need to replace spares. Moyer may command a premium and may have a big
waiting list...but you'd have to ask. On the other hand, he probably
has the biggest collection of spares, and is generally acknowledged as
the most expert mechanic of these engines. I've used his manual for
six years, and its grubby state and many notations reflect how much
I've used it for rebuilds.

At this point, I do most of my own work, including spark gapping,
rebuilding of carbs, points, timing, compression, oil changes,
coupling alignment, etc.

Oh, and I am getting a folding Gori prop for little money this spring,
which I hope will aid my prop walk issues and gain me a 1/2 knot or
so. I also may upgrade to a 55 amp alt from the stock 35 amp, although
as I gradually switch over to LED everything, this may be unnecessary,
as my battery needs when not on shore power are modest (GPS, VHF, a
couple of lights).

Going diesel would just blow $10,000 in my situation. The A4 is
reliable and still worthy of consideration.

Hopes this helps. If you are on the west side of North America, I
would recommend Robert Hess in B.C.

R.