[azul]

I ahve had a lot of experiance with this old work horse of an engine and I have never failed to get back home. I can relate one thing that you may have over looked with this engine. On my 1970 Bristol 29 I started to have the same trouble with the motor quiting on me after a period of trouble free running. I too checked out all the systems-fuel-ignition-coil,checking the spark. What I found out to be the problem was the exhaust system! I still had the original double walled copper tubbing. The Exhaust gasses exit by the inner pipe with the cooling water injected into the jacket around this pipe. the inner pipe wall failed and alowed the exhaust into the second jacket. In short this caused the pressure to build up in the exhaust system and the engine would slowly overheat to the point that the enigine would shut down do to temp.and back presure.
I replaced the exhaust system with a new water lift system and I never had trouble again. I now hav a 1977 C&C 36 with yet again the Atomic 4 as the power plant and I find this engine to be a very reliable power plant with the proper maintenance and upgrades that are now available eg. electronic ignition and a oil filter system installed.
I hope this may help
Good luck
Rick
Aboard Isla Azul
full time liveaboard