Atomic 4 - head off, leave studs or remove/clean/install?

[fstarocka]

Hi all - working on an atomic 4.. Got the head off and cleaned all valves up. Im wondering if I need to try remove those studs - theyre pretty solidly "stuck".

One or two has a small signs of rust on the actual stud shaft indicating perhaps a tiny bit of steam/water - otherwise no issues. Just sticking valves that caused issues.

Do I bother removing them and risk them breaking off? Whats the deal here?

Your thoughts are welcome!

Thanks!

[Bill Seal]

Having rebuilt Ford flathead engines over the years, (and an ancient A4) unless you're skilled at drilling and tapping, just grease them down and let well enough alone.

[a64pilot]

Unless you intend or need to replace them I would let sleeping dogs lie

[fstarocka]

tx - ive done a bit of driiling/tapping (frankly im never keen to have to do it)..

id rather grease the studs and put permatex aviation under the nuts to seal off any potential leaks coming up.

There was no water coming up anyway.. maybe ill try one with the stud puller and impact wrench and see how it goes..




I do have cobalt drills and crasftsman taps/dies - the thought of damaging a thread in the head never appeals to me (or anyone) - only good thing is most if not all of the studs I believe go into water so bits can fall in there as opposed to stuff getting jammed in a hole at the bottom. its only about 1/2" deep max so its sitting right in front of me (not down a hole)

Someone told me to remove all of them and reseal / :0

[fstarocka]

Hey bill where u at? Im in San Pedro

[Bill Seal]

Originally Posted by fstarocka

Hey bill where u at? Im in San Pedro

Newmarks, Wilmington

[fstarocka]

well put the head back together, lapped all valves - used 2 gaskets, torqued to 35 in 3 stages. Letting it set overnight - will retorque in the morning, and again once motor is hot..

Hopefully she purrs. Im curious - how come the timing on this is at tdc? Thats super odd!

[a64pilot]

Why two gaskets?

[deblen]

Lots of vids on Google re A4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu93KiC57JI

http://www.fdlaudubon.org/page19/ass...epairMaint.pdf


I've never heard of 2 head gaskets either....

Len

[fstarocka]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Why two gaskets?

I believe the A4 takes two gaskets. I ordered a set from Moyer marine and two came, i read it too - yeah odd..

To quote the man:

"Don Moyer

In terms of using one or two gaskets: in designing the thickness of the steel reinforced graphite gaskets which are currently in use on the Atomic 4, the engineers at Victor Gasket Co. concluded that the "crush factor" on the graphite gasket material would result in approximately the same thickness as the original copper-clad asbestos gasket - if they are installed in pairs and properly torqued to 30 to 35 foot-pounds. In this way, the original compression ratio of the engine could be maintained. "

http://www.moyermarine.com/forums/ar...hp/t-2531.html

[jt11791]

two head gaskets is standard for Atomic 4s. Don't use one.

[a64pilot]

Interesting.
No spark lead is sort of odd too, maybe it’s that way to make hand starting easier? Yes, no spark lead would cut down on power output and other things, just a guess.

[fstarocka]

yeah 164 thats what I thought.. Although these motors are so tiny, the valve springs are a joke.. Im sure the extra power required to crank even 8 degrees wd hardly be noticeable.. And VERY few folks ever try hand cranking or even have enough access for it..

[Brewgyver]

Fstarocka,
Sounds like you've got a good handle on it!
Yes two gaskets. As you're already familiar with Moyer Marine, I don't have to tell you his site is the Mecca for A4cianados I've had mine five years now, and the boat is 39 years old. I probably won't have it for more than another 3-4 years, as I'm planning to trade up significantly when I retire, and cast off, but I'll bet that motor could do another 20 years with minimal care.

On the TDC timing, maybe that has to do with it being a flathead? I vaguely remember when I was 14 having a friend with a flathead V8 inboard in
a homebuilt boat that it was TDC, as well?

Nope, just googled, they were a whopping 2 degrees

[fstarocka]

Haha well I'll dial it in by ear and back it off a little for running under load..

Advance is advance.. My 73 fords a flat head and it def needs advance! Newer fuels need even more than the manual states from way back