Removing and re-finishing the pedestal on a Mk I

derekb · February 12, 2025, 04:03:25 AM

A little project I started recently is to remove the pedestal (along with all the steering cables and associated wiring) so I can strip it and re-paint it.

Here's the victorious end to the "Battle of Helm's Deep" with the scruffy old pedestal removed:

I've also purchased a new pedestal guard kit from Edson (it arrived yesterday after an air-freight delivery from the USA to Melbourne) so that will dress up the cockpit significantly. I'm also restoring the throttle and gear controls to the pedestal, as a previous owner moved them to the lower port side of the rear cockpit, under the engine instruments.

And if you look closely you'll see that the engine instruments have been removed, they are being replaced by a new panel from Catalina Direct. Fun!

I also moved the engine shut-off cable away from the instrument panel to a position just nearby:

Stu Jackson · February 12, 2025, 10:40:27 AM

Nice work, great idea to move the stop cable. Can't wait to see the "after" photos.

waughoo · February 12, 2025, 05:45:18 PM

This will be a nice project to have completed. It may not be as glamourous for the casual observer, but as the direct user, I suspect you will be VERY pleased to know the conditions of all those critical systems in the binacle. I redid the bushings for the throttle and shift cables in my binnacle and the improvement was VAST!! I have also considered the remote shut off relocation out of the inatrument panel. It is a bit clumsy all attached to thw instrument panel and having it a bit away would be great. Keep us updated!

Jim Hardesty · February 13, 2025, 06:05:54 AM

Derek,
Something I wanted to mention. On a previous boat I changed the tiller steering to Edson wheel. I remember that Edson was very specific to use the aluminum mounting bolts that were in the kit. So consider reusing the old mounting bolts or buy from Edson. I know just enough about mixing dissimilar metals to be wary, so take this as just a heads up.
Jim

derekb · February 14, 2025, 02:45:53 AM

Quote from: Jim Hardesty on February 13, 2025, 06:05:54 AMconsider reusing the old mounting bolts or buy from Edson.

Noted Jim. In fact the old aluminium bolts are in OK condition, so I'll be reusing them. They are in contact with mild steel underneath (the mounting plate for the idler pulleys is mild steel on my '86 boat) so it's hard to avoid contact between dissimilar metals.

I did consider purchasing a new idler pulley assembly (the new design has an aluminium base plate), but the old one is in OK condition, so it will have surface rust removed and carefully repainted...

Craig Illman · February 14, 2025, 05:15:03 AM

Check the bushings on your idler pulleys. They should be upgraded to stainless. There was an issue on older boats.

Craig

Ron Hill · February 14, 2025, 01:10:40 PM

Derek : Check the pins for the pulleys to make sure they are not bronze - they should be stainless.

A thought

KWKloeber · February 18, 2025, 11:21:06 AM

Derek

And, even when using the recommended bolts, use Tel-Gel or my favorite, SuperLube gel where the heads hit and on the threads. Or, I used butyl 20+ years ago to seal them (which also protected against corrosion.)

Did you mean to post a pic? The OP reads like it but none displays (for me.)

And THANK YOU for idea about the shutoff handle. I will relocate mine. I have a somewhat stiff shutoff (not a stiff cable) on my M-25 and long ago I had well-meaning, over-zealous, "help" actually rip the panel out of the (so-called) mounting holes. If 1 lb. of pull is good, well then 10 lbs. must be better.

The other option I'm considering is a shutoff solenoid from Kubota.

Ken

Quote from: Jim Hardesty on February 13, 2025, 06:05:54 AM,
Something I wanted to mention. On a previous boat I changed the tiller steering to Edson wheel. I remember that Edson was very specific to use the aluminum mounting bolts that were in the kit. So consider reusing the old mounting bolts or buy from Edson. I know just enough about mixing dissimilar metals to be wary, so take this as just a heads up.
Jim

Phil Spicer · February 19, 2025, 10:44:57 AM

What happened to your pictures? I thought I saw some pictures of your binnacle project when you first put this up. Is it my computer, my old mind or our program?

waughoo · February 19, 2025, 10:47:10 PM

Quote from: KWKloeber on February 18, 2025, 11:21:06 AMAnd THANK YOU for idea about the shutoff handle. I will relocate mine. I have a

Ken... Antoni (aka LogoFreak) is working on an electric solenoid shut off for his M35. He is presently designing a bracket to allow the solenoid to attach. I haven't talked to him recently about it, but perhaps he will chime in next time he is online.

KWKloeber · February 26, 2025, 07:06:10 PM

Alex

Kubota already has a bracket and solenoid.
I got a quote many years ago from a Westerbeke engine dealer to supply a bracket and solenoid.

Quote from: waughoo on February 19, 2025, 10:47:10 PM
Quote from: KWKloeber on February 18, 2025, 11:21:06 AMAnd THANK YOU for idea about the shutoff handle. I will relocate mine. I have a

Ken... Antoni (aka LogoFreak) is working on an electric solenoid shut off for his M35. He is presently designing a bracket to allow the solenoid to attach. I haven't talked to him recently about it, but perhaps he will chime in next time he is online.

waughoo · February 27, 2025, 08:45:49 AM

Thanks for the info Ken.

David Comando · March 10, 2025, 02:37:28 PM

What kind of paint are you using on the binnacle?

derekb · April 06, 2025, 05:12:13 AM

Quote from: Phil Spicer on February 19, 2025, 10:44:57 AMWhat happened to your pictures?

Phil, the photos should be back now. They were linked from the Facebook C34 group, but I guess the Facebook image URLs must be dynamic. I've linked them from my own website now, so they should not disappear again!

Ken, in fact, I have already purchased a shut-off solenoid, but being a mechanical engineer, it was quicker to move the handle... I'll have to think about all those electrons later! (plus a way to mount the solenoid).

Here's the binnacle in bare metal after stripping the remains of the paint:

Quote from: David Comando on March 10, 2025, 02:37:28 PMWhat kind of paint are you using on the binnacle?

On top of a couple of layers of International Etch Primer on the bare aluminium, I'm applying a locally produced linear polyurethane two-pack white (Norglass Northane).

Here's a look at the refurbished pulley block, with rust removed, and freshly painted with multiple coats of epoxy paint. It received several more coats following the photo. New stainless axles (bushings) have arrived from Edson, and will be installed before this goes back into the boat...

And to complete the story, here's a view of the same pulley block before it was removed and refinished...

KWKloeber · April 11, 2025, 11:54:06 AM

Quote from: derekb on April 06, 2025, 05:12:13 AMKen, in fact, I have already purchased a shut-off solenoid, but being a mechanical engineer, it was quicker to move the handle... I'll have to think about all those electrons later! (plus a way to mount the solenoid).

Here's the binnacle in bare metal after stripping the remains of the paint:

Wow, nice work. Are you using Imron?

The OEM Kubota solenoid and bracket are designed as a direct fit-up to our engines. Eazy peazy install.

Ken