Moor'ea
09-27-2005, 04:47 PM
I recently inherited my father's 1974 Ericson 29, complete with a broken down A-4. I'd like to start by saying what a wonderful BB this is, and how helpful this site has been in general. Anyway, here's the deal:
The last time it ran was when webrought the boat to the Delta. We launched in Rio Vista, and about a mile from the Three Mile Slough bridge it started making funny noises, then overheated, then quit. My guess at the time was we blew a head gasket, which I replaced. The engine still didn't run, and there was no compression. Cracked head? Cracked block? I don't know. I haven't had the money necessary to send it to be rebuilt, so there it sits. It has a new exhaust manifold and mixing elbow; I built a new exhaust riser;
installed a new muffler (actually a plastic verna-lift type that worked
very well); new water pump impeller and spare; new 12"x7" Michigan Wheel
"sailer" prop.
After scouring through the FAQ database and the bulletin board, I'm of the opinion that it's a stuck valve issue. My question is what other causes besides valves could there be? If it is stuck valves, would it be better to replace them all with new ones or unstick and clean the existing ones? Since the last time it ran was some time ago, I plan on replacing the plugs, wires, points, distributor cap, belts and possibly the coil, as well as purchasing the DC circuit replacement kit and rewire the whole thing. Would there be any benefit to upgrading the distributor to an electronic type ignition?
Any suggestions on how to bring this old engine back from the dead would be greatly appreciated,
Jay
s/v Moor'ea
Ericson 29
The last time it ran was when webrought the boat to the Delta. We launched in Rio Vista, and about a mile from the Three Mile Slough bridge it started making funny noises, then overheated, then quit. My guess at the time was we blew a head gasket, which I replaced. The engine still didn't run, and there was no compression. Cracked head? Cracked block? I don't know. I haven't had the money necessary to send it to be rebuilt, so there it sits. It has a new exhaust manifold and mixing elbow; I built a new exhaust riser;
installed a new muffler (actually a plastic verna-lift type that worked
very well); new water pump impeller and spare; new 12"x7" Michigan Wheel
"sailer" prop.
After scouring through the FAQ database and the bulletin board, I'm of the opinion that it's a stuck valve issue. My question is what other causes besides valves could there be? If it is stuck valves, would it be better to replace them all with new ones or unstick and clean the existing ones? Since the last time it ran was some time ago, I plan on replacing the plugs, wires, points, distributor cap, belts and possibly the coil, as well as purchasing the DC circuit replacement kit and rewire the whole thing. Would there be any benefit to upgrading the distributor to an electronic type ignition?
Any suggestions on how to bring this old engine back from the dead would be greatly appreciated,
Jay
s/v Moor'ea
Ericson 29