On Apr 22, 8:51*pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 22 Apr 2010 15:30:53 -0700 (PDT), Tim
wrote:

I did som reading on the atomic-4 and it was a success from about 1947
to about 1984 when production ceased. I know they didn't change very
much but what was it's demise? Couldn't meet EPA? or just an out dated
flathead? *Or a combination of a bunch of things?

I think it was a combination of things. *Up until the late 70s, early
80s there were not a lot of choices for small marine engines. *Volvo
made some small diesels but they were pricey, and to a certain extent,
a bit quirky. *Then about that time Yanmars began coming into the US
in great numbers from Japan and at reasonable prices. * Buyers and
builders began to percieve diesels as a better value and safer choice.
The rest is history.

One nice thing about the Volvos is that they were relatively easy to
crank start by hand thanks to large fly wheels and a compression
release lever. * The trick was to open the compression release, get
the fly wheel spinning at a good clip with the crank, and then close
the release lever. * The fly wheel had enough momentum to kick it over
a few times and get the engine started. *

I've never been able to hand crank my diesel, either the 6.5 hp nor
the 13 hp even by releasing the compression. On cold mornings, even
with new batteries, I have to release the compression to get the
engine turning to lube it before it will start. These little Yanmar
diesels are really amazingly simple and reliable. The biggest problem
is they use so little fuel that the fuel grows algae that clogs
filters and injectors.
Just for fun, I'd like to get an old Atomic 4 and re-build it.
There are a lot of used small diesels are available these days from
hurricane wrecked sailboats whereas for years they were rare to
find.
When I replaced the engine, the boat was on stands in my backyard
with the mast down and no easily available trees to hoist the engines,
it was like moving statues on Easter Island to get that engine out and
down and then the heavier new one up and in place. Once in the
compartment, it dropped right in place and lined up nicely.