Atomic 4 fume danger?

[wmmulvey]

rbyham,

I had a A-4 in my Morgan 30 until SANDY sent her to the graveyard.

It was a great running engine and very easy to work on.

I suggest that you go to the MOYER MARINE web site. Strictly an A-4 site with lots of good info in their forums.

If you need a A-4 manual let me know.

Regards

Bill

wmmulvey@aol.com

[chef2sail]

Originally Posted by SkywalkerII

I have a 1966 A 4. Great engine. Safe, reliable. While its true that gasoline is more combustible than diesel, history shows that proper care and ventilation is all that is required.

Btw, many of these people saying they would never have a gas engine because of the incredible danger probably carry gas for their dinghy outboard! Not to mention propane.

Advertising and groupthink killed the A 4 but in production boats but she is alive and thriving!

Gas for the dinghy is carrying in the dinghy on many boats.

[Coquina]

When you're ready to head out, run the blower for a few minutes then sniff for gas fumes and THEN start the engine

FTFY

Originally Posted by steve77

My first boat was a 1966 Pearson Triton with an A4. There are thousands of these engines around running well for many years with no problems. When you're ready to head out, start the engine and run the blower for a few minutes then sniff for gas fumes. I would not let that the fact that the boat has a gasoline engine be a deal breaker.

[steve77]

Originally Posted by Coquina

When you're ready to head out, run the blower for a few minutes then sniff for gas fumes and THEN start the engine

FTFY

OOPS. Yes, you're right. Sorry about that.

[boatpoker]

The problem with many a4 installations on older boats is that a host of previous owners have played around with the electrical systems and installed non-ignition protected, domestic type breaker panels (even fuse boxes), automotive battery chargers and AC outlets in the same compartment as the engine and gas tank. One often also finds a host of marettes. The engine themselves are fine but I have yet to see one without ignition protection issues or proper (ABYC) ventilation.

[downeast450]

The A-4 is a great little engine.

Bubblehead, you had me going!

Down

[MastUndSchotbruch]

The Atomic 4 is to my knowledge the only motor in history that was specifically designed and built as an auxiliary machine in sailboats (many think it was a converted tractor engine, an early Jeep engine etc but that his not correct; its immediate predecessor was a lifeboat motor built for the US Navy and other maritime concerns).

Out of the estimated 40,000 A-4s that were produced, about 20,000 are still in use. Pretty impressive given that the latest ones were built in the 1980s (not counting the new runs by Moyer Marine which started a year or so ago) and the first ones in the 1940s.

It is a reliable, sturdy and simple motor. An A-4 with a properly maintained fuel system is infinitely safer than the jerrycan with the gas for the dinghy that most boats carry somewhere in the lazerette.

[Barquito]

A4 fan.

[Waltthesalt]

I agree a great engine. If gas engines were a big problem then most of the powerboats in my marina would be gone. Two things; need a bilge blower to suck out gas fumes second this is an antique and for the source of all A4 knowledge and parts support got to Moyer marine. You vcan get a gasoline fume sniffer/alarm. Good safety item.

[MarkSF]

Another "best practice" is when filling the gas tank. Interior spaces should be closed off when filling (ie, hatch boards in, lazarettes closed) and then ventilated afterwards to avoid accumulation of fumes.

Think : isolate, fill, ventilate