1960 Atom Skier Fin Boat Recondition

I had a pump rebuild by these guys (actually its just a guy, Mike) he did great work. He also sourced me a back up pump, non - original to the Ford 312 but it will work if I ever need to have it rebuilt again.

How it went in:


How it came back


I remember when it came back, if I worked the arm, you could hear the pump moving air, so that would be a good check...

Sorry Jack, I can't help you there. No such port on the Ford. I bet if you called Mike at "Then and Now Automotive" he might have some thoughts. Other then that, I don't think I have even ever seen a AMC327 in person...

Roger I appreciate the info. Right now my eyes are absorbing it. Have bookmarked the site also. I can't see a push rod in the picture so it appears that the actuator rests on the cam?

Looks like the folks at Then and Now Automotive will be supplying me with a rebuild kit for my pump and perhaps a new replacement as well. I need two after all and no time like the present unless I get the price and it is a choker.

My pump...I am told it is for marine

Jack,
The older pumps were not considered true marine to today's standards.

At least you found the rebuild kit and the pump is screwed together.

When you get to the point of screwing the halves together, depress the arm in a vice to stretch the diaphragm. If you don't, the diaphragm will constantly be stretching to it's full open position. The pump will not perform as needed and you will end up with premature diaphragm failure.

juniorwoody wrote: When I installed it there was no pressure and after many r&r's I have determined that the arm is only touching slightly on the eccentric.

Jack,
This may be another case of not enough ZDDP but, the arm wear to the cam is pretty common. On several pumps, I've had to braze the wear area to build up the worn spot.

Have aborted the mechanical pump and gone electric. Here is what I came up with....

Pump

Oil Pressure Safety Switch

I do hope this will work with the sidedrafts.

Been a long summer with this boat. Having spent many hours on the hull first year, I worked on mechanical dependability this summer and I have not gotten there yet. Switching the carbs to original was a good call and any small issues resultant from that change have been workable so far. I actually think the Carter YH's will be perfect for the job they were intended. Now, I didn't intend to be stupid and starve the engine a little on the hose for water but I did and now the heads are off cause they were not happy with the treatment. We took off the unit as a whole with the exhaust manifolds because I could just tell by the mangled head on one of the bolts in the manifold that there was going to be trouble. On the bench there are three broken bolts as we speak and though all the others are out, the manifold is still reluctant to release from the head. They will be going out for magniflux and whatever needed when we can seperate them from the heads. Any tricks that might help? Boat is leaving for Florida on Sunday LOL.

I guess Burton has gotten the first manifold to release a bit so it may give in soon. The long shank of the bolt has seized to the cast where it passes through. May need your disintegrator suggestion yet John. Looks like I may pull the boat to Florida and get the heads when I come back up Xmas time less we get real lucky and they come apart today.

Thanks for your interest Jerry. Would love to show it to you. The boat and I winter over in Oak Hill which is on the Mosquito Lagoon due east of you I believe. I will be bringing it to the SJRR and Tavares this March and expect when the heads are back on I will make several trips to the closest fresh water to tune it in. I think that may be near Sanford somewhere. If you want to stop by and visit on the lagoon feel free. Drop a line.

As it were Bruce I struggled with fuel pump issues and installing the Carter YH's. For a while it was like stopping water in a leaky dike as I would fix one issue another would pop up. Such as it probably is when a boat sits many years. I digress well short story is I ran it on the hose and had installed a shutoff oh the hose so I wouldnt have to keep running to shut it off. Forgot to open the shutoff. Was right there but didnt realize till I saw I go up to about 200 deg and shut it down. A good reason to always run from a bucket is what I learned. The head gasket let go as best as I can see and it was in bad shape so I guess that is ok if nothing else is damaged. I think I am ok. Was putting off replacing the impellers because they were working but the overheat took care of that also.

I assume the bump up in the top of the motor box was to accommodate the retrofit carburetor. If so do you have plans to change the motor box now that the YHs are on there. I posted a photo of a very nice fin boat for sale back in the thread somewhere and I believe it had the bump up too, so maybe it's original. Just curious.
I dream about owning an Atom someday, preferably a fin boat like yours, but I'm afraid it's just a dream. I really enjoy this thread especially when new photos are posted.

Jack, the motor box that went with your '60 Atom probably is the exact same motor box that went with your fin boat.

That fin boat is very nice, but the color does not look right.

Old post here from John but it may be time to consider this option. A quick search didn't turn up any in the Ct area but I can try harder. Meanwhile after making a static display out of the Nomad at the ACBS show in March I put her in my neighbors garage in Fl and pulled the engine. When the heads are ready the bilge area can be cleaned properly and the block and accessories can be painted. Worth the wait and several knowledgeable folks have given a thumbs up to the condition of the block and cylinder walls.

missing photos

juniorwoody wrote: juniorwoody wrote: You can't see it but she's smiling... Just as a reminder of how Nomad looked last summer with the windshield on. I believe to be the original however if others think not now is the time to inform me please. Meanwhile, have you ever lost a tool or a pencil you had in your hand a minute ago never to be found again, even if you blew a day looking for it? Such is the case with the hardware to reinstall the windshield. I have a new gasket in hand and set aside a day last week to do the job but the rest is history. Does anyone know a source for these parts which seem to be somewhat illusive in my search.