[Alberg30] Diesel replacement

[John Birch]

My A-37 Sunstone is a 1970 MK I with its original Westerbeke 4-107, leaks a
bit of engine oil in to the sump pan but other than that runs fine. Uses a
litre a season. Burns a1/3 of a gallon an hour at 1200 1/2 gallon at 1600 -
same prop pitch 2 blade 13 x 9LH. Have only once had it quit, the year after
we got her in 1992 when I listened to the previous owners advise and didn't
change the fuel filter - said it was "very complicated" ; ) Well I changed
it, gave a quick bleed and vhrooom. I have changed it annually ever since
and it's pretty straight forward. As for bleeding, that's easy and the only
time I bleed it is after the filter change - no biggy.

Yer kit changes from sparkplugs and wiring spares to filter, wrenches for
bleeding and leeches (to let out the evil humours ; )

John ex A-30 KC-544 (with an A-4 engine)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jay Davenport" <jay at saildriver.com>
To: "Alberg 30 public list" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 08, 2003 8:51 AM
Subject: Re: [Alberg30] Diesel replacement


>
> I second George's view, based on my personal experience with the 30 year
old Atomic 4 in Revolution.
> It is quiet, smooth, reliable, has no mechanical or electric problems
(over the 8 years I've had it), and doesn't smell. It is not excessively
fussy about the fuel it gets, although a good fuel filter is important to
avoid clogging the carburetor. If my starting battery is dead, the A4 hand
starts easily. Unlike my friends with diesels, I don't have to worry about
air being sucked into the fuel system or bleeding the engine. Gasoline is
available at some fuel docks which don't carry diesel. My A4 will run h
> appily all day long (if I want it to) at 1500 rpm, 1800 rpm, 2000 rpm, or
2500 rpm with a 3-bladed prop.
> A few years ago, when hurricane Bertha was threatening to blow up the Bay,
I towed a friend who was broken down, from Solomons to North East. The trip
took 22 hours nonstop, and we ran at hull speed the entire distance. After
we arrived in North East, my friend (who had a diesel) commented that he
would never say a bad word about an A4 again.
> The one notable advantage of diesel engine operation which I see is it's
use of less fuel, but this is outweighed in my mind by the high cost of a
new diesel, as well as the noise and other aggravations.
> In the end, it is personal choice, but I am very happy with the A4, and
expect it to be my engine as long as I have Revolution.
> Jay Davenport
> Revolution, A30 #526
>  George Dinwiddie <gdinwiddie at alberg30.org> wrote:Bob Chambers wrote:
> > <<>>>
> >
> > I totally understand the cost George, but how is a diesel an
aggravation?
> > My experience is exactly the opposite on that point!
>
> I've known a lot of people to have trouble with diesel engines, and very
> few people who could fix them underway. A modern diesel engine is a
> pretty high-strung beast, with tight tolerances that must be maintained.
> The Atomic 4, on the other hand, is dirt simple and will put up with a
> lot of abuse and neglect.
>
> Do you know anyone running a 30-year-old diesel engine?
>
> - George
>
> --
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Hope your road is a long one. George Dinwiddie
> May there be many summer mornings when, gdinwiddie at alberg30.org
> with what pleasure, what joy, http://www.Alberg30.org
> you enter harbors you're seeing for the first time;
> from 'Ithaka' by C.P. Cavafy
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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Looking for a hard-to-find or out-of-print book?  Or just any book, but 
looking for a good deal on a used book?  Check the Advanced Book Exchange, one of 
my personal favorite online stores!
http://alberg30.org/store/AbeBooks.html
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