Lessons learned during engine replacement

[BlueSkyNick]

We decided to replace the engine from the outset when buying Celestine. The old Ford Mermaid (a 58hp, 1800cc car engine) is in good shape, starts and runs well, but a is bit too noisy, thirsty, and overpowered for what we need. It will be going on ebay before too long.

So I thought I would start this thread as a sort of blog of lessons learned along the way.

The old lump has been lifted out, and I have spent several hours cleaning the engine bay. It has taken me longer to find out how to remove the control panel cable than the engine itself!

What I have discovered so far:
- it is much easier to lift the base panel from a cockpit locker when you take your own weight off it
- the bilge cleaner detergent works a lot better when added to the bucket of water in use, rather than still in its container in the car.
- before using the old saloon curtains as rags, make sure SWMBO doesn't want to use them as a pattern for the new ones
- dont assume that the control panel cable goes via the shortest route, and order it, without removing the old one first

More to follow no doubt.

 

[sailorman]

We decided to replace the engine from the outset when buying Celestine. The old Ford Mermaid (a 58hp, 1800cc car engine) is in good shape, starts and runs well, but a is bit too noisy, thirsty, and overpowered for what we need. It will be going on ebay before too long.

So I thought I would start this thread as a sort of blog of lessons learned along the way.

The old lump has been lifted out, and I have spent several hours cleaning the engine bay. It has taken me longer to find out how to remove the control panel cable than the engine itself!

What I have discovered so far:
- it is much easier to lift the base panel from a cockpit locker when you take your own weight off it
- the bilge cleaner detergent works a lot better when added to the bucket of water in use, rather than still in its container in the car.
- before using the old saloon curtains as rags, make sure SWMBO doesn't want to use them as a pattern for the new ones
- dont assume that the control panel cable goes via the shortest route, and order it, without removing the old one first

More to follow no doubt.

A good first day then

 

[chubby]

When we did ours, found about a dozen 13 mm spanners in the bilge, so thats where they went! Also drilled a hole in the bottom to let the water out when you have done the bilge cleaning, brilliant idea to get rid of the smell of oil, diesel etc from the bilge!

 

[SHUG]

Watch out for the bilge ferrett which devours everything that falls into the bilges................except 13mm spanners......strange......very strange!!!

 

[Lakesailor]

You know how F1 drivers sit in their car and envisage the whole lap before setting off?

Good technique.

 

[alahol2]

If you are likely to want (or replace) sound proofing at any time in the future, DO IT NOW.

 

[LadyInBed]

If there is a bilge pump near or under the engine, make sure you can get to it without taking the engine out again!

 

[Bosun Higgs]

- before using the old saloon curtains as rags, make sure SWMBO doesn't want to use them as a pattern for the new ones

One of the great misteries of married life - why does swmbo always want to replace the curtains when we buy a boaty?

 

[Twister_Ken]

If there is a bilge pump near or under the engine, make sure you can get to it without taking the engine out again!

Seconded, and there's no better time to clean the strum box, check any float switches and bilge pump hoses. What is Celestine anyway?

 

[sailorman]

One of the great misteries of married life - why does swmbo always want to replace the curtains when we buy a boaty?

Its called "Nesting"

 

[BlueSkyNick]

When planning a job, think about how long it is going to take and then treble it.

Stripping off manky sound proof material being today's example.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

One of the great misteries of married life - why does swmbo always want to replace the curtains when we buy a boaty?

I didnt put up a fight, they were pretty naff!

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Seconded, and there's no better time to clean the strum box, check any float switches and bilge pump hoses. What is Celestine anyway?

Surely nobody would design a boat like that!! Well not Stephen Jones anyway.

She's a Starlight 39 TK, the one I told you about in Ireland.

Pump and float switches are in a separate part of the bilge forward of the engine compartment. It is about 2.5 feet deep being inside the stub part of the keel. Laying on the cabin sole, I can just about touch the bottom - plenty of room for illicit hooch.

 

[ChrisE]

Surely nobody would design a boat like that!! Well not Stephen Jones anyway.

She's a Starlight 39 TK, the one I told you about in Ireland.

Pump and float switches are in a separate part of the bilge forward of the engine compartment. It is about 2.5 feet deep being inside the stub part of the keel. Laying on the cabin sole, I can just about touch the bottom - plenty of room for illicit hooch.

Ahah, a bilge lke the Rival 38 except that the bottom of the bilge is so deep we have a coal mine in it....

 

[jimi]

Ahah, a bilge lke the Rival 38 except that the bottom of the bilge is so deep we have a coal mine in it....

You'd be better off with a lead mine!

 

[SAWDOC]

We decided to replace the engine from the outset when buying Celestine. The old Ford Mermaid (a 58hp, 1800cc car engine) is in good shape, starts and runs well, but a is bit too noisy, thirsty, and overpowered for what we need. It will be going on ebay before too long.

So I thought I would start this thread as a sort of blog of lessons learned along the way.

The old lump has been lifted out, and I have spent several hours cleaning the engine bay. It has taken me longer to find out how to remove the control panel cable than the engine itself!

What I have discovered so far:
- it is much easier to lift the base panel from a cockpit locker when you take your own weight off it
- the bilge cleaner detergent works a lot better when added to the bucket of water in use, rather than still in its container in the car.
- before using the old saloon curtains as rags, make sure SWMBO doesn't want to use them as a pattern for the new ones
- dont assume that the control panel cable goes via the shortest route, and order it, without removing the old one first

More to follow no doubt.

LOL! Great - thanks for sharing!

 

[Appledore]

One of the great misteries of married life - why does swmbo always want to replace the curtains when we buy a boaty?

Couldn't agree more. Just what my wife said 12 years ago, when we bought our current boat. And 12 years later, I'm still waiting, although last time we went to the boat swmbo asked for the old curtains, so that she could make some new ones!!!

 

[Twister_Ken]

Surely nobody would design a boat like that!! Well not Stephen Jones anyway.

She's a Starlight 39 TK, the one I told you about in Ireland.

Pump and float switches are in a separate part of the bilge forward of the engine compartment. It is about 2.5 feet deep being inside the stub part of the keel. Laying on the cabin sole, I can just about touch the bottom - plenty of room for illicit hooch.

Reet clever, that Jones lad.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

You'd be better off with a lead mine!

No, he needs the coal on hand to shovel into the steam engine!