How to Remove an Atomic Bomb
Folks, sorry for the long delay in posting. But you know...no news is good news.
Some of you may know that the venerable Atomic-4 gas engine which has provided auxiliary power for my Alberg 30 Calliope over the past 37 years has finally given up the ghost. After a number of attempts to bring this engine back to life, I finally decided that I've had it and I'm going to repower with a brand new diesel. I am tired of working on the motor in my sailboat, so I am working on the repower job this winter.
Last night, as the first step of this job, my friend Matt and I removed the old Atomic-4 (aka Atomic Bomb...because supposedly gas inboard engines are an explosion risk...one benefit of a diesel is that diesel doesn't explode...) So we trekked on down to the marina and hauled the old motor out, then trekked on back to my house to put the motor away so I can dismantle it and sell it for parts. It was actually a pretty funny experience. I was wearing a Santa hat, because I am thinking of using one of these pics for my christmas card this year. Below are some photos of the removal of my Atomic Bomb:
That's one big, heavy, stinking, broken hunk of metal.
Ho Ho Ho! Here's the Atom Bomb going into Santa's Sleigh.
The Atomic Bomb rests on the sleigh Matt and I built to get it the last 50 feet - from my trunk to my porch. That's not snow...it's rain. Nothing like good times with busted engines in the rain. I wish I could say I've never been there before...but it would be a lie.
Special delivery for #32 Munroe Ct....one very rusty, very frozen, old Atomic Bomb. The ramp up the steps seemed like a good idea until the engine slid off the sleigh halfway up the ramp. I never saw Matt jump so far so fast. I bought him as much Chinese food as he could eat after his help with this particular hate job.
Lessons Learned:
Some of you may know that the venerable Atomic-4 gas engine which has provided auxiliary power for my Alberg 30 Calliope over the past 37 years has finally given up the ghost. After a number of attempts to bring this engine back to life, I finally decided that I've had it and I'm going to repower with a brand new diesel. I am tired of working on the motor in my sailboat, so I am working on the repower job this winter.
Last night, as the first step of this job, my friend Matt and I removed the old Atomic-4 (aka Atomic Bomb...because supposedly gas inboard engines are an explosion risk...one benefit of a diesel is that diesel doesn't explode...) So we trekked on down to the marina and hauled the old motor out, then trekked on back to my house to put the motor away so I can dismantle it and sell it for parts. It was actually a pretty funny experience. I was wearing a Santa hat, because I am thinking of using one of these pics for my christmas card this year. Below are some photos of the removal of my Atomic Bomb:
That's one big, heavy, stinking, broken hunk of metal.
Ho Ho Ho! Here's the Atom Bomb going into Santa's Sleigh.
The Atomic Bomb rests on the sleigh Matt and I built to get it the last 50 feet - from my trunk to my porch. That's not snow...it's rain. Nothing like good times with busted engines in the rain. I wish I could say I've never been there before...but it would be a lie.
Special delivery for #32 Munroe Ct....one very rusty, very frozen, old Atomic Bomb. The ramp up the steps seemed like a good idea until the engine slid off the sleigh halfway up the ramp. I never saw Matt jump so far so fast. I bought him as much Chinese food as he could eat after his help with this particular hate job.
Lessons Learned:
- Always drain oil before removing engine
- Be sure to have a plan how to get the engine OUT of the trunk BEFORE putting it IN the trunk.
- The engine is heavier than you think.
- Do this job during daylight.
- Bring lots of plastic to wrap the engine with.
- Have lots of rags.
- Don't wear clothes you want to wear again.
- If you use a ramp to go up steps, make sure the engine is tied to the sleigh.
No news is good news!
J
posted by J Bergquist at 11:48 AM
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