Atomic 4 Has Blown Up in Charleston

[Ecity 1]

This is my first post and not a happy onr. I've been content to lurk on this site and learn from the many that are more kmow knowlegable than I.Last night coming into Charleston SC something major broke in motor. We had to be towed in. Can anyone recommend a good boat yard in the area.The boat is a Pearson 323. diesel replacement is likelygoing to cost more than the boat is worth. Any advice appreciated

[zopi]

Any idea what went south in the engine? Might be more economical to rebuild than replace...of course you could search around for rebuilt or used engines...

[never monday]

this project shouldn't require the services of a boat yard. It can be done in the water.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Ecity 1.
Sorry for your problem.

[marc2012]

What happened,might not be that bad?marc

[Ecity 1]

thanks for the comments and greetings I'm pretty sure it's aconnecting rod has let go. The engine will have to be pulled. Any recomended boat yards in the area?

[Tia Bu]

Cooper River Marina, which is run by Charleston County, has the cheapest transient dockage in Charleston. Pierside boatworks is about half a mile up the river from there. They have a pretty good reputation for fairness and allow do-it-yourself work.

The Cooper River Marina staff can give very good advice about local mechanics and suppliers.

If the engine is an Atomic 4, my guess is it would be more cost effective to repair, rebuild, or replace than to put in a diesel. Look for Atomic 4 on Ebay or Craigslist. This guy might be worth contacting also, although I have no experience with him: Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Engine Rebuilding and Parts.

One friend found a used Yanmar diesel with a few hundred hours on it for a 30 foot boat. He put it in himself and had less than $2000 in the project. He was a very resourceful guy, though.

Another friend recently had his diesel die on a similar sized boat. He mounted an outboard bracket and used outboard on the stern to stay in action until he can replace the diesel.

Don't give up. You'll find a way.

[Prerequisite]

I had some shaft and cutlass bearing work done at Pierside. The people are very nice, but the repair lasted exactly 1.5 hours before the shaft walked out of the coupling when I was about 100 yards shy of a closed bridge and I lost all propulsion. The bridge operator luckily threw the bridge up and the 2 knot current swept me through backwards. Pierside did end up paying another yard to redo all the repairs, but I would have preferred miserable people and a competent repair over nice people and incompetent work.

Sorry to hear about your troubles, but you'll find just as I did that if you are going to get stuck somewhere, Charleston is the place to be. It might be the world's nicest town. If you have time, go to "Sesame Burgers and Beer"- they have the best burgers in town.

[GordMay]

Don Moyer is the Atomic 4 guru.

See his FAQs, Tech Tips & More ➥ Moyer Marine Atomic 4 Engine Rebuilding and Parts

See also the
“Moyer Marine Service and Overhaul Manual”
➥ Moyer Marine Online Store

[Tia Bu]

Ditto on Sesame's Burgers and Beer.

[never monday]

I have a pull out AT4. No idea of it's running condition other than it ran.

[Ecity 1]

I'll guess I'll have try those burgers- Does anybody have experiece with Marine Propulsion in Rockville SC

[David M]

The title had me worried for a second. I thought four atomic bombs had blown up. Is the potential for blowing up how they got their name?

[John A]

When a connecting rod goes, it goes because a piston has stopped moving due to lack of lubracation. The connecting rod then makes one heck of alot of noise while it beats the crap out of the cylindar wall, and most times it creates a hole in the side of the motor.
If you are able to rebuild the engine, you've still got an aging Atomic 4.

BTW atomic 4's started life has a motor for the Farmall Cub farm tractor.

[djmarchand]

If a connecting rod has let go then you are in for an extensive rebuild if you choose to go that way.

But check out Betamarine. They have drop in replacements for the Atomic 4. Engine mounts, couplings and all should match up. The last time I priced the 28 hp version it was within a thousand or so of what Moyer wants for his gasoline Atomic 4. For an extra thousand I sure would go with diesel.

The Beta is based on a Kubota engine and is rock solid.

David