Frank Langer
1984 Ericson 30+, Nanaimo, BC
Hi,
The bearings on my fresh water circulating pump were starting to growl, so I decided to replace it. Mechanic confirmed that it was the waterpump making the noise and suggested that I could replace it myself.
I sprayed stuff on all the bolts for three days to overcome the anticipated corrosion (1984 universal 5416 engine, 997 hours) and then began. 14 of the 16 bolts came loose with persuasion, but the last two broke off at the head. When I phoned my mechanic with what I knew wasn't good news, he bemoaned my fate, soon to be his, and said he would come Tuesday.
He said that drilling a pilot hole and then inserting an "ease out" was the planned strategy, but said it would be tough as the bolts are only 1/4" diameter.
So my question, does anyone have any ideas or advice to help us solve this situation? I am worried that because of his cursing and worry (he is a nice guy and seems very competent and has been very good to date), we may not be successful in removing the two bolts. They broke off about 1/8" inside the block. I have been adding more corrosion release stuff (called "Move it", which seems to be the best) in the hopes that it will persuade the remaining bolts to release. Is there anything else I can do? What do we do if we can't get the bolts out?
The good news is that while I had drained the coolant, I replaced one of the older coolant hoses successfully and took the time to clean the heat exchanger. But this feel good stuff doesn't really ease my worry that we won't get the bolts out to replace the fresh water pump and I'll never be able to sail this boat again!
Any suggestions, ideas, advice or consolation is very welcome. What should have been a one hour job has become a bit of a nightmare....but maybe I'm worrying too much.
Frank
The bearings on my fresh water circulating pump were starting to growl, so I decided to replace it. Mechanic confirmed that it was the waterpump making the noise and suggested that I could replace it myself.
I sprayed stuff on all the bolts for three days to overcome the anticipated corrosion (1984 universal 5416 engine, 997 hours) and then began. 14 of the 16 bolts came loose with persuasion, but the last two broke off at the head. When I phoned my mechanic with what I knew wasn't good news, he bemoaned my fate, soon to be his, and said he would come Tuesday.
He said that drilling a pilot hole and then inserting an "ease out" was the planned strategy, but said it would be tough as the bolts are only 1/4" diameter.
So my question, does anyone have any ideas or advice to help us solve this situation? I am worried that because of his cursing and worry (he is a nice guy and seems very competent and has been very good to date), we may not be successful in removing the two bolts. They broke off about 1/8" inside the block. I have been adding more corrosion release stuff (called "Move it", which seems to be the best) in the hopes that it will persuade the remaining bolts to release. Is there anything else I can do? What do we do if we can't get the bolts out?
The good news is that while I had drained the coolant, I replaced one of the older coolant hoses successfully and took the time to clean the heat exchanger. But this feel good stuff doesn't really ease my worry that we won't get the bolts out to replace the fresh water pump and I'll never be able to sail this boat again!
Any suggestions, ideas, advice or consolation is very welcome. What should have been a one hour job has become a bit of a nightmare....but maybe I'm worrying too much.
Frank
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