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Messages - Stu Jackson

#8011
Main Message Board / engine replacement questions
September 20, 2005, 09:27:58 PM
Engines, electrical and hull integrity:  all seem to be safety related issues.

While we all can't and won't become expert diesel mechanics, there ARE many things we can and should do to maintain not only our investments but our family's and friend's safety.

Regular maintenance, a reasonable familiarity with the parts and features that are prone to failure (shucks, think they're even mentioned around here?) and some common sense, sure go a long way.

That comes right after figuring out and remembering, which way the pointy end is!

I haven't found a diesel mechanic either - I'm beginning to think they don't exist, and IF they do, you HAVE to hover over their shoulder as they are working.

Ain't that what you wished your Mom would stop doing to you?!?
#8012
Main Message Board / Fuel conditioner/biocide
September 20, 2005, 05:20:28 PM
We use BioBor and also Starbight water separator.  No problems in 7 1/2 years.
#8013
Main Message Board / engine replacement questions
September 19, 2005, 03:47:55 PM
Here's the solenoid glow plug reference:

http://www.c34.org/projects/projects-glowplugs.html
#8014
Main Message Board / engine replacement questions
September 18, 2005, 05:03:54 PM
Gary

Tom's input is right on.  The cooling system is marginal because of the size of the HX.

I also forgot to mention that I installed a larger 3 inch heat exchanger about two year ago.  This is a great addition, which I urge you do to.  When you do that, just be careful that you maintain access to the dip stick for the transmission fluid.  

If you're lurking around here a lot you've probably heard my history with the engine, all good.  The 3 inch HX is also mentioned in "way back" tech notes, available to C34IA members on line and with their free CD-ROM.
#8015
Main Message Board / engine replacement questions
September 18, 2005, 01:33:02 PM
Gary

I'm not quite sure where your flange problem is physically located.  We have a 1986 M25 with 1,715 engine hours, and it runs great.  Ron Hill has over 4,000 hours on his M25XP.  I've been using Mobil 1 synthetic oil for last three years, and dutifully replace the transmission fluid, and all the other maintenance things required.  We replaced the exhaust riser two years ago after it broke, and that story can be found on the Tech Notes Online section of the main website.  Also installed the hump hose to the muffler.  Also look in FAQs and Projects for the replacement of the alternator bracket if you or a PO haven't done so.  As far as replacement swap out, you'd have to measure, measure, measure.  I don't recall anyone here doing that in the almost eight years I've been involved here with Aquavite, although one member deos have a Perkins (I think) replacement.
#8016
Main Message Board / Anchor roller
September 16, 2005, 01:04:16 PM
Anchor/bow rollers are discussed in the following Tech Notes:

May 95 - Ron's original article, with picture
Nov 87, Feb 89, May 92, Nov 97 and Feb 99.

I got these more easily than the main website search engine as I've earlier suggested, by copying the tech notes index into a word processing program, and using the wp's search feature (F2 or CNTL F).
#8017
Main Message Board / Equalizing Deep Cycle Batteries
September 12, 2005, 11:47:48 AM
Dan

That's a GREAT log, thanks so much for keeping track.  I've gotten up to mid-August and Tonowanda.  More reading later, I gotta get back to work!
#8018
Just another thought:

I recall that Hal Devera did a thoughtful couple of posts on sizing of generators to loads.  I believe he recently sold his boat in Benecia, CA.

Try here, it's on the third page of this long thread:

http://www.c34.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1563&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=30

Look (search) for his posts - try hdevera.
#8019
This also seems to be an extension of this earlier post

http://www.c34.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2129&highlight=shower
#8020
Doug

It starts pumping out 80 and then goes down to 50 because of the acceptance of the batteries.  If they're fully charged, they just won't take any more amps.
#8021
Main Message Board / Fuel Pump ????
September 06, 2005, 06:07:40 PM
Hi, Ron, is the airplane ticket in the mail yet?   :D

Try this: http://www.c34.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=663&highlight=weblog

Steve's a bit modest.

This is a glass half empty, glass half full discussion, and perhaps I could just have well said: "Hire a mechanic," in my last post.  You see, I have absolutely no idea how technically qualified you are in doing things, and I have read the same material on fuel tanks as you have.  So, there's no way I could guess how long it'd take you to do something.  I know how long I think it would take me, and then, because it's a boat, I double it! :D

I understand you have your precious weekends to motor and sail.  But I still am confused as to how you can fit two things in one hole:  doing your sailing and also fixing the tank.  Somethings gotta give unless you hire it ALL out, in which case your question changes to: "Know any qualified mechanics in SD?"  I don't, some others might.

The earlier posts explained what had to be done, and only you can determine how long it would take you do them.  And I don't think "tinkering" is the right phrase, since I truly believe that knowing stuff is a safety issue.  In this case, Ron, I understand you're working on a straight task and don't need the safety speech.

I just reread Ron Hill's tank cleaning in the Project section of the main  C34 website.  That's one option.

I think Steve's idea of a replacement is certainly another way for you to consider.

I've said it before, so at the risk of repeating it: Your boat, your choice.

I intend this to be friendly, and non-argumentative, and I certainly hope you take it in that spirit.  

Have you joined the C34IA?  That will give you access to MANY technical notes since 1987, almost all of them on a FREE CD-ROM (1987 to 2001), which pretty much covers your vintage of boat.  I NEEDED all that information to keep Aquavite afloat, and so did Steve.  Right up your alley - you can read it on the plane.   :roll:
#8022
Main Message Board / Equalizing Deep Cycle Batteries
September 06, 2005, 05:53:42 PM
Dan

Go here:  http://www.amplepower.com/primer/equal/

Great to hear from you, wish I was with you! :clap  :thumb:
#8023
Main Message Board / Fuel Pump ????
September 05, 2005, 10:16:07 PM
Ron S

I hear your pain.  It has to be difficult to be so far from your boat.  I must admit that I live 15 minutes away from our boat, and, some days, that's too far for me.

The issues you are facing are the same for all of us: time, distance, and space: even Einstein had trouble with these three things!!! :shock:

You wrote: "Our time is very precious on our boat and the less time I spend doing these things the more time we spend sailing her."

Thats's true for all of us.  But I believe that the MORE time you "spend doing these things" the safer you'll be.  Your boat is NOT an automobile that can simply "be sent to the shop for repair."

From my perspective, you have a conflict that really needs to be resolved, and I don't think we can help you out with that issue here on this website.  $70 per hour is a VERY good deal for west coats mechanics - assuming they're qualified, and how do you determine that? - SO you need to be there to see what's going on, or be VERY specific in your instructions.  And it seems that you are still working on figuring out that end of the deal.

I suggest that you may want to reconsider what your goal is.  I don't think you can continue to keep your travel AND boat work time to a minimum.  One's gotta go.  For pure safety reasons, you need to spend the time on the boat and trace things out and learn about them, unless you're willing to depend on your "unseen" mechanic (which makes YOUR boat a "rental" boat, to you).

You may have to consider spending time on your "vacation" and switching it to "boat work week."  :cry4`  

Some of us have been known to have actually learned to enjoy that experience. :D
#8024
Main Message Board / Fuel Pump ????
September 05, 2005, 10:52:19 AM
Ron S

Ron H is right.  The reference I gave you and the search I recommended explains that the newer fuel pump by Napa is better.  Why go backwards in technology?  You can always get the old Facet pump with its mechanical operation and magnet, or the new one as described.

I had a replacement Facet left on board by the old owner.  When I replaced the pump, which died without warning (LISTEN FOR THE CLICKING! if it's not there, the pump's dead!), I redid the hoses.  All it takes is a little length of extra fuel hose and a barb with hose clamps.
#8025
Main Message Board / Napa Fuel Pump #
September 04, 2005, 12:30:26 PM
Ron

The Napa part # is at: http://www.c34.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1328&highlight=napa

Please note that the url references on that post are to the old infopop 'site that we no longer use.

The BEST way to get good search results on "fuel pump" is to search on NAPA.  Lots of information and good esperiences on those hits.  I have found that the search engine does better on single words.