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| Palmer Hercules--Ring and Valve Recom... |
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kip
| | Posted on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 11:37 am: | 
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Hi,
I recently bought a 28' Monterey Clipper (San Francisco-area classic fishing boat) built in 1924 and powered by a flat-top, four cylinder, 30 HP gas Palmer Hercules built in...I'm not sure, but would guess the 1940s.
The engine appears to be in really good shape overall, but has a very narrow operating range: it will run comfortably from about 1,000 to 1,800 RPMs. If I go above 1800, I start to get blowby. (I get visible light exhaust in the engine compartment coming from what appears to be a vent on top of the engine.)
The former owner told me that the engine needs a ring and valve job.
My questions are:
--who in the SF Bay Area could I take it to for this work?
--could the blowby also result from a muffler with too much back-pressure? (She has a wet exhaust.)
--what else could be causing the blowby?
--if I do have the engine serviced, what else should I look at--cylinder rings?--timing chain?--rods?
Thanks in advance for any suggestions you may have. |
Richard Day
| | Posted on Monday, June 02, 2003 - 06:39 pm: |
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Whats the engine serial number? |
kip
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 08:22 pm: |
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Well, I wish I could tell you. I've looked all over the engine and can't find one. Where might it be? |
Richard Day
| | Posted on Friday, July 25, 2003 - 09:47 pm: |
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Will try to find some service data for you. Send me an e-mail so we can talk without loading this column up with details. Normally the serial number is on a brass tag about 1-1/2" by 3". The tag is often mounted on the flywheel cover where it is easily seen. The last two digits are the year the engine was made.
Before doing anything serious measure the compression in each cylinder. It may be that the exhaust system is badly blocked and that is the root cause of your problem. Presumably any compentent machine shop could rebuild the engine if it needs it. Is it fresh water or salt water cooled? If it is salt water cooled then the real queston is! Is it worth rebuilding. An engine that long in service with saltwater cooling might be badly rusted in the water passages and if so I would look for a replacement. The head gasket could be a real problem as you need a copper clad gasket to salt water cool so don't pull the head if you can avoid it as getting a replacement could be a big problem. |
kip
| | Posted on Monday, July 28, 2003 - 07:19 pm: |
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Thanks, Richard. Check your email.
Best,
David |
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