Head Problems

[bootsy1962]

Captain Ron, I tried to go to your site, but it wouldn''t come up. I have an atomic 4 that had taken on a "little" water. It got up to about the carburator. Anyway, I have had everything replaced externally, and after spending about $1800.00, it worked about a week. It turns out, I think I just need a new head gasket. However, the head will NOT come off. I have tried everything. At this point, we have taken the whole engine apart from the boat, pending hoisting it out. We have since found another A4 which, according to the seller, "runs", but guess what it doesn''t have . . . a head. How does it run without a head? I don''t know. Anyway, he''s only selling it for $200, and I thought that''s great just for parts. However, I am still in need of some head work. If I go with the other engine and try to buy a head, where do I get it. I looked on Moyer Marine, for a brief moment, and didn''t see one. Would I be better off just pulling the current engine out and having it rebuilt?

I refuse to go another summer without sailing (engineless)!! It is possible, but not all so fun, as we draw 5''7", and we are constantly in fear of running aground.

Do you have any suggestions?

[DARE-Oriental]

It might be tme to stop throwing good $ after bad. That $1800 + would have been a great start to a new diesel. $1800 is a huge chunk, but it won''t be the last.

[manateee_gene]

Grab it by its joker''s throat pull it hard to make it swallow and then throw it overboard!Replace it with a legal portapottie!

[Peter_pan]

if it is still in the boat. reinstall the head bolts and leave a few turns loose. start the engine and let it run. a couple of gooses will blow the head loose. someone probably used permatex for a gasket sealer. do not use it when you replace the gasket. use copper spray paint instead. good luck
Jim