In the Atomic-4 Caster Newsletter 21, Oct. 96, Don Moyer, Moyer Marine wrote:
Buying a used engine: IN terms of price there is a sort of threshold between engines which are considered inoperable and those that are reported to be in "good running condition" and could conceivably be used as a replacement engine. That price threshold for the first catagory is about $1,000, and depending on the degree of overhaul that may be claimed, the asking price of an operating engine could be as high as $2,000. For Non-running "parts" engines, I usually offer no more than $250 and the main issue in this case would be the condition of water-jacketed castings." (Block and Exhaust manifold). REBUILT ENGINES: Don Moyer, Moyer Marine, Inc., 3000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, PA 17111, Tel: (717) 564-5748 Fax: (717) 564-5760 Until recently you could subscribe to an Atomic Four newsletter ($25/yr) from Don Moyer, which also entitled you to his consulting services regarding problems you might be having with your A4. The newsletter is now discontinued. Recently (1999) he recompiled numerous articles and back issues from the newsletter into what is now the best Atomic Four maintenance and overhaul manual available, costs about $50. He also rebuilds & sells rebuilt Atomic Fours engines (rebuilds run around $3,000 to $4,0000), used and new parts. Don Moyer has turned over his parts sales in 1998 to Featherman Connection, John Featherman Ph/Fax(717) 432-0601 eMail: A4parts@epix.net including the Sendure fresh water cooling systems & PerTronix Inc. Ignitor 1146A Solid State Electronic Ignition System for $77.00. Call to find local Universal part dealer; Westerbeke, Avon, Massachusetts, (508) 588-7700. Westerbeke has a small (65 page) "Atomic 4 Operation and Maintenance Manual", Part #200156. http://www.iwol.com/IWW/Customers/WESTERBEKE/page5.htm CANADA - Robert Hess. Sells rebuilt engines, parts and accessories Atomic Four Engine Service, 5017 Mariner Place, Delta, BC, V4K 4J4, Canada Telephone: 604 (868-6646) email: robert_hess@bc.sympatico.ca http://www3.bc.sympatico.ca/Atomic_4_Eng_Service This web site has an excellent history of the Universal Motor Company and the design of the Atomic Four engine. I thouroughly enjoyed reading the information provided there. Old Lyme Marina 860-434-1272, olmarina@oldlymemarina.com (http://www.oldlymemarina.com) occasionally advertises rebuilt or used engines in Soundings, from $2,995 to 4,495, some with warranties. Mystic River Marina, 800-344-8840 or 860-443-8457 advertises in Soundings, specializes in conversions from gas to diesel. They could be a good source for used engine parts. Randazzo Yacht Mechanics, Port Washington, NY (adv. in Soundings) www.randazzoyarch.qpg.com, 516-767-1666 Duby Marine, north Tonawanda NY (buffalo) he has rebuilt a 4's in the "showroom" of his small shop. John Dubicus is a great guy and deals with all sorts of antique engines Gray Marine etc. 716-694-0922 or 0976 fax A Service and Repair Manual and some parts available from Seacraft Publications, LTD. $26.95 postage paid anywhere. 135 George Street South, Suite 902, Toronto, Ontario M5A 4E8 Canada (416) 360-6006 voice (416) 360-6788 I previously recieved email from Seacraft Publications via "equity.greendragonpress@sympatico.ca (Patricia Staton)" Manuals/Books: Universal Atomic Four Parts and Order List DF-T. Universal Operation and Maintenance Manual 1TM-G. 26 pages. Hansen maybe have it. Hansen Marine Engineering, Inc. 19 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead MA 01946 1-800-343-0480 Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Atomic Four. Gordon Greene. Motor Boating & Sailing (magazine), August, September, & October, 1976. Indigo Electronics (http://www.atomic4.com) IndigoAT4@aol.com, sells electronic ignition, fresh-water cooling and other kits for the Atomic 4. Indigo's fresh-water cooling system powers the extra pump off of the existing fan belt (with a larger belt). Indigo Electronics, Inc., Tom Stevens, 1-800-428-8569, 10 Wayfin Circle Newport News, VA 236061138 Used Atomic Four parts, engines availible Posted by John Barber on May 12, 1998 at Cruising World Message Board For me its been feast or famine on Atomic four parts. I now have more engines, parts, blocks then I could ever use. I intend to install the fresh water kept 74 into my boat this winter. I will swap it out replacing the rebuilt 67. This will leave me with numerous parts, a rebuildable 74, a paragon reduction gear, a rebuilt 67, and not much room left in the garage. If anyone is interested in these engines or parts you could contact via E-Mail or at 850-785-0551. Piston Rings - order them directly for about $42.00 plus shipping. HASTINGS MANUFACTURING COMPANY (Cathy ) 325 North Hanover, Hastings, Michigan 49058-1598 USA Phone: 616-945-2491 * Toll-Free Orders: 800-776-1088 * Fax : 800-837-2495 The A4 uses Hastings Rings part #6520, and you need to specify if you need +10, +20, or +30 over size. FUEL SYSTEM: Fuel Filter: Varies with boat: My 1975 Pearson 28' has a Fram Marine: Model FBM 1110PLM, cartridge C-1110 is $9.95 from West Marine. Don Moyer sells an inline fuel filter kit (fuel polishing filter)for $15.00 including hoses, clamps fittings, and a NAPA 3032 filter. NOTE: the 90 degree ell originally provided with the kit will not fit into the mechanical fuel pump. It lacks clearance from the carberator and the fuel pump housing. I notified Featherman about this problem and they now provide different fittings with the kit. New zenith 68 Series Carberator and Electric Fuel Pumps: Foley's Industrial Engines ($$$), 200 Summer St. Worcester, MA 01604 508/ 753-2979 http://www.foleyengines.com, Foley's claims that replacement mechanical fuel pumps are no longer available, and sells an electric model. V.E.Peterson, Ohio 419/838-5911 also sells the Zenith 68 Series Carberator & elec. pump. Specs for the carb built by Zenith/Facet, part #013355, model #68-7, Universal # 288482, Facet repair kit # k2169, replacement carb #0-12522. Call Zenith Fuel Systems, 14570 Industrial Park Road, Bristol, VA 24202 276-669-5555 To overhaul it the Facet parts Numbers are: Gasket set #C181-329, Needle and seat #C81-66-25 A4 Carb parts call BISCO at 1-800-767-2950 or http://www.neca.com/biscokid NAPA Carb Kit: Needle and seat are size 30 and carb calls for a size 25, ph. 276-669-5555 or 607-737-8243 Moyer uses #25 needle and seat, up to #35 has been used. Carberator float dimensions: I had two different dimensions for the float level adjustment. The one that seems to have come with my Atomic Four owners manual made no sense. The dimensions are measured as shown on pages 10&11 of the owner's manual. Which says the dimension A should be 1 5/32", +/- 3/64", which would be from 1.10938" to 1.20312". These dimensions I could not accomplish without major bending and probably damage to the floats. However, the numbers I got in the instructions for the kit from Don Moyer 1.25-1.31" (top of housing to top of float) made complete sense and I adjusted the floats to these specs and they were perfectly level. (Which is the goal when the upper carb housing is held with the floats facing upward). Mechanical fuel pump: (Facet #477-060) replacements and rebuild kits ($48): Old Lyme Marina Inc., 34 Neck Road, Old Lyme, Conneticut, 06371 Tel. 203-434-1272 (?860-434-1272) Fax 303-434-3068 olmarina@oldlymemarina.com (http://www.oldlymemarina.com) Repair kits also available from Vosbury Marine for $58.00 Vosbury Marine, Annapolis, Maryland 410-268-2522 Mechanical fuel pump rebuild kit: Van Ness Engineering, 252 Lincoln Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ, 07450, USA (201-445-8685 / 201-447-1014) for $US40 plus postage. They include a new diaphragm, valves, gaskets, and screws. Whitford Marine 1/860-536 -3832, has some rebuilt Mechanical fuel pumps in stock. There is an after market kit available to rebuild the pump. Fuel pump was made by AC #model B4059 Parts Numbers: pump bail ass #ac-fp-1 pump bowl metal #ac-pf-11 bowl gasket #ac-fg-1 Electric fuel Pumps: aprox. $58.00, Facet #480-513 (1.75-2.50psi) Available from V.E.Peterson, Ohio 419/838-5911 NAPA also makes a similar pump. COOLING SYSTEM: Water Inlets: 3/8" - 18 N.P.T. Bronze thru hull intake scoop, 1/2" NPT (1/2"?? hoses) Water Pumps: I have not personnally verified this but I understand that over the years the A4 has been equipped with [2] Jabsco, [1] Sherwood, [1] Oberdorfer water pumps and they all use different impellers. Raw-water-cooled engines, most recent (and replacement older models) used Oberdorfer M202-3. Water pump impeller Oberdorfer #B6593 or Barco #815 or Sherwood #295628 John Featherman writes: <> Oberdorfer M202-3 Water Pump impeller dimensions: The impeller is 2" diameter, 7/8" wide, w/ a 1/2" dia. single flat drive. West Marine has a long life (can run dry) Niprene impeller replacement made by Globe: Globe #815, for $15.00, West Marine #241044 (some quality control problems were reported several years ago). DEPCO pump Co in Clearwater FL at 1-800-445-1656. $118.00 for a brand new unit, their model 202M-7 is an Oberdorfer unit. Rebuild kits $20 for the impeller, two seals and the gasket Hanson Marine in Marblehead MA at 800-343-0480 (Westerbeke/Universal Distributor ) also has all the new parts available. Water pump gasket should be changed at every inspection, you can reuse if you put a little grease on gasket when you first install. Note do not use gasket glue or form a gasket. Use only the paper shim gasket which is .010 thick for proper spacing against the sides of the impeller. Pencil Zinc Kit: Sen-Dure Co. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, phone# 954-973-1260, Sen-Dure part #5140 to 5149 depending on the size of the hose they go in. Because of space requirementa on A4 just install it in the intake water inlet line. NOTE: do not forget to connect the ground wire to the engine block. IGNITION PARTS: Spark plugs: Gap: 0.035 Champion Normal RJ8C (Stock #871) Hotter RJ12C (Stock# 592) <--recommended by Don Moyer* AC #R45 or #M45 Autolight 295 NGK B6S or BR6S NGK B6S ("3510"on end of box) * Some owners report quicker fouling problems with the RJ12C's, especially those with freshwater cooling, those engines run hotter. Spark Plug Wires: DO NOT get the kind that have the 90 degree cap on top of the distributor ends. The set I ordered from Don Moyer, which appeared to come from Universal had those 90 degree caps. My original set did not. Get a set that has the distributor ends coming straight up out of the distributor. I installed the new set, but it is really hard to get the wires and caps to snug all the way down, and stay down. The 90 degree caps put too many of the wires into conflict with each other, and then engine vibrartion seems to make them vibrate up and loose. Sets that I've seen recommended are: Belden 700708 (kit, put on your own ends) Belden 700999 (custom wire set at Annapolis NAPA store) Carol 32570 (82 Datsun) Cooper Automotive "PowerPath" #700705 (longest wire is a slight stretch). Pep Boys Auto Parts #1924 (for all 1974 Volvo 4 cyl. engines) DISTRIBUTORS: The older engines (serial numbers 71000 through 170507) had a Prestolite distributor. same as that used in a circa 1944 Willys Jeep. Newer engines (serial numbers 170508 and up) came with a Delco distributor. Delco Distributor Prestolite Distributor (newer) (older) Convert your late model (newer) Distributor to a Solid State Electronic Ignition System for only $77.00 with a kit from PerTronix Inc. Ignitor 1146A Solid State Electronic Ignition System for $77.00; sold by Don Moyer/John Featherman. It is much more reliable and you will never have to set, replace or adjust your points or timing again. I understand that this kit is also sold under the Sierra trade name as part #18-5297 (recommended by Qshicks) and it is all so sold by NAPA under thair part #. Northern Auto Parts www.naparts.com has Ignitor breakerless ignition systems for Delco distributor equipped A-4s (part #1146A) for $59.99. You can also contact them at 1-800-831-0884. Coil: Standard Motor Products Incorporated, Blue Streak UC-15 with internal resistance (FOR MOST A-4 ENGINES). $32.78 at Discount Auto Parts. UC-12 for use with with external resistor (not usually for A-4's*). They also make a UC-12T and a UC-15T which are less expensive but quality control is probably less. I have been told that the SMP UC-15 is comparable to a BorgWarner: E40BAP or a NAPA: IC64SB *I understand that the reason there is a is a coil made for use with an external resistor is so it can be wired into an starting/ignition system that by-passes the resistor only during starting, thus producing a hotter spark for easier starting. Since the Atomic Four engine was installed in about 40,000 boats, there may be a few around that are wired up this way, and they may still need the external resistance coil. The external resistor that I saw was a white ceramic block about 3/4" x 4" that is mounted on the engine room bulkhead. Coil: Testing the coil. Don Moyer suggests a test across the connections of the coil with an ohmeter. Expect about 3-4 ohms on a coil with an internal resistor and 1-2 ohms for a coil made for use with an external resistor (generally but not always clearly marked on the outside of the coil). These coils are used with an external ceramic resistor of 1.5 -2 ohms. The Pertronix Ignitor ignition system requires a coil with at least 1.5 ohms resistance. NOTICE: Many folks who have converted to electronic ignitions systems have had problems burning out coils, it appears that with a 4 cylinder engine you must make sure you have a coil with internal resistance, to reduce coil burnout. Coil Failure: When my coil went bad, the engine was running smoothly at first. Then after 20 minutes or so I thought I noticed a slight irregularity in the rythm of the motor, it gradually got worse until there was a definite missed beat at irregular intervals, until it ran so rough it died. While still hot it restarted a few times and ran very rough briefly, before dieing again. After cooling down it ran fine, briefly repeating the above cycle. Each time the cycle got shorter until it would not restart at all. In checking the coil I found it was leaking oil and was incredibly hot to touch shortly after failing. Dist. Cap: Standard Motor Prod. DR-437 Standard Motor Prod. AL-25 Borg Warner C167 Echlin AL91 Delco D322R Borg Warner C131 GM 1962446 GP DR93 NAPA Echlin RR181 <--sold by Don Moyer Get the Delco marine dist. cap has copper posts, the automotive cap has alum posts. Rotor: Standard Motor Prod. DR-314-X Standard Motor Prod. AL-102 Delco 423R Echlin AL-58 GM 800056 Borg Warner D91B GP DR106 <--some problems reported (short in length) Borg Warner D152 NAPA Echlin RR182R <--sold by Don Moyer Condensor: Standard (Blue Streak) DR-90X Standard (Blue Streak) AL-36 Borg Warner G126 Standard (Blue Streak) AL-106 Delco D203 Echlin AL-38 GM 1928111 Borg Warner G127 GP DRC3S Echlin RR176 Delco Distributor (newer) Prestolite Distributor (older) Points: Gap: 0.025 0.018 - 0.020 Idle = 600-1,000 RPM Dwell = 31 - 34 degrees 38 degrees Standard(Blue Streak) DR-2240X Standard (Blue Streak) AL5661X Delco D108P Echlin CS-709 GM 1954557 Borg Warner A70 Borg Warner A109V GP DR695 Echlin CS788P Adjust Point gap first, then Timing: just starting to open at TDC, 17degree advance at 1600 rpm (Cruising RPM's should be 2,000 RPM (80% of Maximum atainable speed)) BELTS: Alternator belt is 3/8" wide and 25" diameter, approx. 12" long when flattened. (25" total) Drive King 3L250 "Fractional Horsepower V-belt" Gates HC-3VX-250 or #7250 NAPA Belts 25-06353 <--recommended by Don Moyer BFG Maxipower 3V250 57 ORS-M MISC: Starter Motors: Late Models - Delco Early Models - Prestolite Atomic Four starter: Delco 1107679 (Lordco Auto Parts - Wilson rebuild #91-01-3736, $CAN189.00 with a $CAN45.00 core charge) (Aqua Power rebuild #2826) The starter is no different than any automotive starter. The alternator is a marine type with fully enclosed brushes. Atomic Four 35 amp alternator: Motorola MR12N451-D type B (Lordco Auto Parts - Wilson rebuild #90-05-9089, $CAN273.30 with a $CAN40 core charge) (Aqua Power rebuild #2834) The price of $US200 in Don Moyer's price list. Choke Cables: Covey Marine 410/255-4345 or 255-9123; 3 meter #818-478, 7 meter #825-764