I have to replace my muffler. Does anyone have an alternative to Catalina direct? There up to $374.00 plus the cost of the petcock.
Can you still get them from the Catalina Factory in Woodland Hills? If so do you have to go custom? I need it before the two weeks they take for custom.
I guess I will bite the bullet and go with Catalina Direct.
Doug : You need to call Catalina parts (factory) and ask if they still make mufflers??
Why do you need a new muffler? There isn't that much to a muffler and hard to believe that you can't repair the one you have?
A few thoughts.
My fiberglass tube is so tweaked, the hump hose one, I would have to glass in a new one. Being the original I thought I might as well replace it. The tube is cracked and mushy and coming apart. I think it was screwed up from the beginning. I repaired it about 5 years ago but it is just started leaking again I tried to repair again but it's to far gone. I am going to repl ace my exhaust hose at the same time. I have already done the hump hose and the new stainless exhaust from the factory.
I would suggest your local vo-tech (high school) some are just starting their primary body shop classes. Or contact your local EAA chapter Experimental Aircraft Association they may also have hands or seminars I know I instructe one every so often. Local Yacht clubs have lots of talent there and can direct you for a great result cheap maybe beer and pizzia.
Good Luck :D
Don't know if you've seen this:
What's In Your Muffler?
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6728.0.html (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6728.0.html)
I am trying to get the outlet tube to clear the ceiling. If I dremel off about a quarter inch off the tube it will clear. Do you think its a problem to do the same with the new one?
Any other suggestions?
Also Catalina direct says there's is 14 1/4 and mine is 14" will that present a problem?
After I took all 4 screws out it wouldn't budge it was completely gel coated in. I had to take a hammer and screwdriver to break it loose.
Doug : i've got my old usable muffler in the attic - that's the good news.
The bad news is I'm out sailing and won't be back home for a month!!
I believe Vetus has aftermarket aqua mufflers. Don't know if it will work but worth a try to contact them.
http://www.vetusmarine.com/
A few years back I replaced mine with a Centek Vernalift-easy installation and I recall it was cheaper than the Catalina, not sure how prices compare today but it has worked flawlessley for years.
I was just looking at the Centek Vernalift as my factory exhaust is leaking and I am not inspired to repair it vs. fix it for good... Do you recall which model you got? 2" side-in,top out or top-in, top-out?
Thanks!
Steve
Steve, I, too, have looked at the Vernalift units. They do make ones with 1 5/8" inlets and outlets to match the existing hoses. IIRC, they also do NOT have drain plugs, but you could always add one.
I have installed a Vetus Waterlift Muffler. Very easy to install and very easy to replace. it does have a drain plug. Has worked perfectly the last five years. I do not have the muffler number here at home but can retrieve it from the information sheet on the boat if needed. Priced much lower than the original fiberglass muffler and much easier to remove as well as allowing more working access space ......
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/product.do?part=120575&engine=adwords!6456&keyword=product_ad_11694&type=pla
Gary
Gary,
Good selection, thanks for the link and the specifics on the model type. I was thinking about the black "can" ones Vetus also sells.
Guys : As I written before, just make sure that the muffler you get has some volume. The MK I exhaust system has a 17 foot exhaust hose and when you shut off the motor "where does that exhaust water flow to"?? Some goes out the exhaust port and some flows back into the muffler.
Maybe that's why Gerry Douglas installed such a large muffler!??! Anyway a few thoughts to think about!!
Here's an earlier discussion
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4300.msg24854.html#msg24854 (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4300.msg24854.html#msg24854)
Ron thanks for the offer I couldn't wait I needed done before that. I apologize for the delay for the post.
First I was worried about the measurements Catalina direct was showing on their website. They are showing 141/4". It is so tight for that muffler to fit and mine was 13 7/8 ish. I called them and asked them to take the one out they are shipping to me and it was the same size as mine.
Second, I took out all the screws of the old muffler and it wouldn't budge. It was gel coated in. I took a hammer and hit around to break the seal and that worked.
Third VERY IMPORTANT! Do not take out the aft stateroom. Take the door off the sink move the fuel pump and filters, disconnect the hoses and take out and put in the new muffler through the sink door.
Fourth cockpit lazarette cut old hose it's about half way. Take panel off where fuel tank is then you can grab hose in aft stateroom and push through. This is one way to do it with one person.
New hose, go through hole in cockpit lazarette push through. Then go down below in aft stateroom grab hose and pull. Go to sink opening pull.
Other end feed through hole leading aft. The new hose is so much easier getting in as a continuous 17' then even getting the old hose out being cut in half.
I used all 17'. Remember where all the bends are. Take pics.
I have a pic of completed install. Stu I am not sure how to upload it. I wanted to get some info to the board. Out of time got to go.
Quote from: sailingdolphin on October 08, 2012, 09:18:25 AMStu I am not sure how to upload it. I wanted to get some info to the board.
Doug, when posting a reply, scroll down to Additional Options, click on it and following the attachments instructions. Make sure your pictures are small enough. Use Image Resizer, type resizer in the search box if you're not sure how to do that.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4053.0.html (http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,4053.0.html)
Doug : I hope that you read my articles in the Mainsheet Tech Notes on "Removing/Installing a new Aqua Lift muffler" and "Installing a new exhaust hose" before taking them on?? Both of these articles are for a MK I.
The Mk II has a slightly different muffler system !!!
There aren't many projects on a C34 that have not been already written up!! You just need to look for them. A few thoughts
I would love to have a repeat of this very helpful conversation for MK II owners. I have been unable to find a suitable 15"+ hump hose for the M35/muffler connection so I know that I am going to spring a leak sometime and would like to be prepared if a fibreglass repair is problematic. The Vetus mufflers look good and the price is right but I am not sure which one would fit and be of adequate size. The MK II exhaust hose is only about 8 ft long so muffler volume should be less of an issue but the output hose is 2" ID while the input is 1 5/8" as I recall.
Has anyone actually repalced the OEM MK II muffler with an alternative?
You're right in noticing different input and output hose diameters. My installation of a Vetus (previous page post) was accomplished by creating a reducer / increaser by turning a small piece of heavy wall PVC plumbing pipe on a wood lath. It was pretty easy to do.
The Vetus specs on that post show mufflers with different diameters to choose from. A call to Vetus may provide an answer as to water volume capacity needed for length of muffler hose.
Gary
John,
We communicated on this before. Here's the message. I've had this Vetus hose for a number of years. It's designed to make tight bends. Much better than the OEM hose that is on from the factory.
http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,6279.0.html
Hi Roc
I still have the information you provided. Thanks. But I am still interested in pursuing the conversation about possible replacement mufflers.
Here's some mufflers I came across:
http://www.marinepartssource.com/newdetails.asp?pnumber=VL1500107&mfg=CENTEK%20INDUSTRIES%20INC.&mfgno=1500107&desc=2%20in.%20Muffler%20Side%20In/Top%20Out
http://www.marinepartssource.com/newdetails.asp?pnumber=VL1601805&mfg=CENTEK%20INDUSTRIES%20INC.&mfgno=1601805&desc=2%20in.%20Muffler%20Side%20In/Top%20Out
http://www.marinepartssource.com/newdetails.asp?pnumber=VTNLP75&mfg=VETUS%20INC&mfgno=NLP75&desc=3%20in.%20Revolving%20Waterlock%20Muffler
Here is a corrugated hose, much like the Vetus hose I have:
http://www.marinepartssource.com/newdetails.asp?pnumber=MPI2524000&mfg=MPI&mfgno=252-4000&desc=4%20in.%20Corrugated%20Exhaust%20Hose