What's the process to pull an A4 out?

[tpalmer]

How difficult is it to pull an A4 out of an Ariel?

[Bill]

The manual has a discussion on the subject. It's not a quick project . .

[tpalmer]

My boat was under salt water after hurricane ivan. It then sat on the hard for over 6 months. The motor won't budge. My mechanic says it needs to be overhauled. I'm assuming it will have to be pulled from the boat. Is it fixable?

[bill@ariel231]

well that depends.. anything is fixable for money. I would budget for a new generator, carb, distributor and any electric fuel pump for starters. The head and block would need to be stripped just to examine the parts. if there is still oil in the block you might get lucky, unless the engine was filled with oil after its immersion i'd expect it is likely going to be more to overhaul that to swap for a rebuilt A4 or a takeout from another boat. (takeouts show up on ebay on a regular basis for less than the overhaul cost)

easiest path is to send it out for overhaul at a shop like moyer marine...

http://www.moyermarine.com/customer.htm

this is less than a diesel, and the A4 is a quiet motor.

goodluck,
bill@ariel231

ps> here is a link to a guy selling 3 A-4's for best offer:

http://providence.craigslist.org/boa/1248936352.html

[carl291]

Tommy, Since your boat is on a trailer, you can move it under a big oak tree and use a come-a-long to lift it out and then lower it to the ground.
Will you have any help? Two people will make this work easier
I sure the mount bolts are all rusted and that will be a pain. Submerge in salt water is never good.
A poster here had several A-4 parts to dispose of for the asking and some hull parts. Ted Mahavier is his name, his boat was destroyed in the last TX hurricane.
Good Luck,

[tpalmer]

once again thanks

[carl291]

Tommy,
Again, Do you have someone who can help you with this engine/trans removal chore????
A job like this can seem insurmountable by yourself but a little help goes along way..

[Westgate]

Check out T. Lackey's site. He pulled an A4 out yesterday in prob what amounted to a couple of hours! Good for him but very depressing for the rest of us!!!!

Good read however as he goes into detail about exactly what needs to be done.

Andrew

[tpalmer]

what is t lackeys web sight? I'm going to lake lanier Thurs to pick up a capri 25 mast, boom and rigging to see if it will work on my ariel. Pulling the engine will have to wait. Of course its not going anywhere.

[Westgate]

Tim Lackey restores old classsic plastic. Go here and look at his latest resto project Circe. http://www.northernyacht.com/current.htm