Atomic4

[old-sailer]

I am looking at various upgrades for my Atomic4 engine at Moyer but it always says old version new version. How do I know which is which.??

I can't find any reference on their site to tell the age of the engine.

[capn_dave]

Or follow my suggestions:


Most parts are interchangeable between early and late model engines. However, a few parts (particularly some of those used in fuel, ignition, and cooling systems) are unique to early or late models.

If you have an original engine from the mid-seventies or later, with an oil fill tube over the flywheel housing in front of the engine, you can be reasonably sure that your engine will require all late model parts.

If your engine does not have an oil fill tube over the flywheel housing, it may require a mix of late and early model parts. You will therefore need the following information before ordering:

1. To order ignition parts (including the "Ignitor electronic ign."), you will need to know if your distributor was manufactured by Delco (used on late model engines), or by Prestolite (used on early model engines). Prestolite distributors are distinctively smaller in size, and their condensers are mounted on the outside of the distributor housing.

2. To order cooling system parts, you will need to know if your engine has a thermostat housing (a small dome-shaped casting) located on the front corner of the head, nearest the starter. This thermostat housing would indicate that your engine has a late model cooling system.

3. To order carburetor parts, you will need to know if your carburetor is made of aluminum or cast iron. Aluminum carburetors were used on late model engines. All carburetors were manufactured by Zenith or Bendix, so the manufacturer does not help in determining your carburetor vintage.

4. To order gaskets, you will need to know (1) and (2) above, plus the shape of your transmission cover. Late model engines used a square cover, and early model engines used a rectangular cover with a curved top ("tombstone-shaped").

Also, look for a serial number:
On late model engines, the serial number is on a flat spot in front of a "boss area'" in the casting of the block, directly above the oil fill tube over the flywheel housing.

On early model engines, the serial number is on the front side of the block directly up from the starter.

[CalebD]

+1 capn_dave.

These engines come in many flavors of 'early' or 'late' models. Previous owners may have added various bells and whistles or not. You can only find out by looking at all the components of your engine or a maintenance log (if you are lucky enough to have one). Of course it helps if you know what you are looking at.

[deniseO30]

old = rubber band for power?
new= synthetic rubber band for power?

:Hides from A4 lovers:

[old-sailer]

Well it's a 1980 boat... but it has additions that I don't have a clue about. There's a pulley on the front of the engine (when you remove the steps) and in the upper left corner there's another pulley. No belt..?? I have no idea what this is for. There's no log.. nice. The dip stick is at the rear of the engine. A pain. It has differing plug wires which need to be replaced. It starts easily and runs just fine but when I look in at it I'm amazed it runs at all. It doesn't smell though..
No gas smell.. hurray..

Originally Posted by capn_dave

Or follow my suggestions:


Most parts are interchangeable between early and late model engines. However, a few parts (particularly some of those used in fuel, ignition, and cooling systems) are unique to early or late models.

If you have an original engine from the mid-seventies or later, with an oil fill tube over the flywheel housing in front of the engine, you can be reasonably sure that your engine will require all late model parts.

If your engine does not have an oil fill tube over the flywheel housing, it may require a mix of late and early model parts. You will therefore need the following information before ordering:

1. To order ignition parts (including the "Ignitor electronic ign."), you will need to know if your distributor was manufactured by Delco (used on late model engines), or by Prestolite (used on early model engines). Prestolite distributors are distinctively smaller in size, and their condensers are mounted on the outside of the distributor housing.

2. To order cooling system parts, you will need to know if your engine has a thermostat housing (a small dome-shaped casting) located on the front corner of the head, nearest the starter. This thermostat housing would indicate that your engine has a late model cooling system.

3. To order carburetor parts, you will need to know if your carburetor is made of aluminum or cast iron. Aluminum carburetors were used on late model engines. All carburetors were manufactured by Zenith or Bendix, so the manufacturer does not help in determining your carburetor vintage.

4. To order gaskets, you will need to know (1) and (2) above, plus the shape of your transmission cover. Late model engines used a square cover, and early model engines used a rectangular cover with a curved top ("tombstone-shaped").

Also, look for a serial number:
On late model engines, the serial number is on a flat spot in front of a "boss area'" in the casting of the block, directly above the oil fill tube over the flywheel housing.

On early model engines, the serial number is on the front side of the block directly up from the starter.

[CalebD]

Denise,
Hope you are enjoying your 'jack hammer' diesel while we enjoy the quiet purring of our A4's! :g

old-sailor,
If your boat is from 1980 then chances are your engine is a 'late' model engine as Universal stopped making them around 1983 but you can't rule out someone swapping an older working motor for a dead motor.
The dipstick on both types of engines is located near the back of the engine as it is usually tilted down at that business end in both direct drive and 'V' drive applications.
The stuff that is 'early' vs. 'late' model engines capn_dave gave you a very concise review of.
I would look for the serial number as capn_dave describes to figure out if the engine block is 'early' or 'late' model, but with a boat made in 1980 I'd bet on 'late' model engine block.
Other components may vary. An 'early' model carb could be fitted to a 'late' model engine and a 'late' model carb can be attached to an 'early model one. Most A4 installations I've seen do not have an oil filter as a rule but you can add one if you like but this gives no indication as to 'early' or 'late' model.

As capn_dave outlined, the most important part of figuring out the 'early' vs. 'late' model stuff is:
1) distributor: Delco or Prestolite?
2) thermostat housing on head near flywheel: present or not?
3) carburetor: aluminum (5 screws hold it together) vs. cast iron (4 screws)
4) transmission cover: rectangular or 'tomb stone' shaped

Here is a 360 degree photo of a 'late' model engine as refinished by Moyer Marine: MoyerMarine

Other engine components that may vary are:
- fresh water cooled (FWC) or raw water cooled (RWC),
- one water pump required for RWC, two for FWC
- electric or mechanical fuel pump.

The best resource I have found for the A4 is here: Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians - Powered by vBulletin
Everybody likes pictures so post a picture of your A4 if you can.

[old-sailer]

Thanks.. I've been pouring over the Moyer site to get what upgrades I can. Like the dipstick extension, electronic ignition, thermostat, etc. I can't seem to find a VIN but I'll keep looking.

If all else fails I'll send Moyer a picture of the little toad....

Yes, I find some appear to hate the A4 but it's really quiet, runs well and when I consider the problems my friend has had with his Yanmar in his Beneteau I'll put up with the A4 thanks so much.

Originally Posted by CalebD

Denise,
Hope you are enjoying your 'jack hammer' diesel while we enjoy the quiet purring of our A4's! :g

old-sailor,
If your boat is from 1980 then chances are your engine is a 'late' model engine as Universal stopped making them around 1983 but you can't rule out someone swapping an older working motor for a dead motor.
The dipstick on both types of engines is located near the back of the engine as it is usually tilted down at that business end in both direct drive and 'V' drive applications.
The stuff that is 'early' vs. 'late' model engines capn_dave gave you a very concise review of.
I would look for the serial number as capn_dave describes to figure out if the engine block is 'early' or 'late' model, but with a boat made in 1980 I'd bet on 'late' model engine block.
Other components may vary. An 'early' model carb could be fitted to a 'late' model engine and a 'late' model carb can be attached to an 'early model one. Most A4 installations I've seen do not have an oil filter as a rule but you can add one if you like but this gives no indication as to 'early' or 'late' model.

As capn_dave outlined, the most important part of figuring out the 'early' vs. 'late' model stuff is:
1) distributor: Delco or Prestolite?
2) thermostat housing on head near flywheel: present or not?
3) carburetor: aluminum (5 screws hold it together) vs. cast iron (4 screws)
4) transmission cover: rectangular or 'tomb stone' shaped

Here is a 360 degree photo of a 'late' model engine as refinished by Moyer Marine: MoyerMarine

Other engine components that may vary are:
- fresh water cooled (FWC) or raw water cooled (RWC),
- one water pump required for RWC, two for FWC
- electric or mechanical fuel pump.

The best resource I have found for the A4 is here: Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Community - Home of the Afourians - Powered by vBulletin
Everybody likes pictures so post a picture of your A4 if you can.

[deniseO30]

Jack Hammer? lol