Engine access on my 356 is pretty good, except the step cover makes me crazy. By simply tilting the steps forward I can reach the dipstick, but I have never gotten the dipstick back in successfully without removing the steps altogether. That raises the real sticking point. Where and how do you maneuver the steps out of the way? I can get some access to starboard by edging some of the steps into the head, and to port by angling the steps into the galley, but there doesn't seem to be any logical place to shift the whole thing out of the way. Am I missing something?
Hunter 356 engine access
- Thread starter danm1
- Start date
I presume "aim" plus finding the hole is the problem ?
I had the same problem until I got the bright idea to install a wire guide near the filler hole so that when I snag the guide, it's just a case of pressing down on the dip stick until the hole is located.
This so called fancy guide is a piece of straightened coat hanger wire which has a large sharp bend on its end. The other end has been rolled into a small loop and has been bolted to the engine using an existing bolt on the engine block. The wire is then bent until the sharp crotch has become the target as shown :
Press the dip stick straight down and it's in the oil filler hole.
"This so called fancy guide is a piece of straightened coat hanger wire which has a large sharp bend on its end."
I might try this, but are you sure there is no duct tape involved? Seems like there should be.
I might try this, but are you sure there is no duct tape involved? Seems like there should be.
I remember it basically took two hands to replace the dipstick. One hand to locate the hole and the other to maneuver the dipstick into it. I am still talking about the Yammie 3GM engine. Usually this would occur with my chin resting on some part of the engine.
I was able to move the engine cover forward on the cabin sole but then it took up the whole cabin sole and it was cut off from me. I never tried lifting it out of the companionway but if I needed to do any serious work on the engine I would try that.
I was able to move the engine cover forward on the cabin sole but then it took up the whole cabin sole and it was cut off from me. I never tried lifting it out of the companionway but if I needed to do any serious work on the engine I would try that.
Great Scott man, I think you're right !I might try this, but are you sure there is no duct tape involved? Seems like there should be.
A large piece wrapped around the end would set it off perfectly.
Necessity, the mother of all inventions.
Last edited:
Nice solution! I like it and will install next time I’m working on the engine.
I lift the stairs to the galley and can just squeeze past to get into the rear cabin for rear access to the engine.
If you need to climb out into the cockpit without refitting the stairs I would recommend that you don’t step on the coolant filler cap as it will distort it.
I lift the stairs to the galley and can just squeeze past to get into the rear cabin for rear access to the engine.
If you need to climb out into the cockpit without refitting the stairs I would recommend that you don’t step on the coolant filler cap as it will distort it.
