A story of the engine that could.... Then didn't…NOW DOES

[Terry Cox]

Ah. A new day has arrived.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

What an ordeal! Better take her out the first sunny day you get! She deserves a proper re-orientation to her surroundings!

 

[DArcy]

Progress Report..

Mechanic showed up at 13:20. Took a look at the fuel lines.. Yep they are leaking. Where are my wrenches… About 15 minutes later, “Let’s starter up…” Cranking… Little fuel and putt putt VROOM! She began to purr like a cat.. A big cat.. “Shutter down… We got another leak… “. A little wrenching… “Starter up…” Vroom..

Have not heard that start up Vroom for nearly 21 months.

It was 18 March 2022, that is first discovered the issue with the broken injector holddowns. There was the Injector service.
Then a starter motor fail. Next the engine seized. It became a question. Do I repower with a new motor or try to rebuild the Perkins. Still not knowing what damage had occurred to the pistons or block, August 2022 we began to take the transmission out of the boat and had it rebuilt.
View attachment 221969
The engine removal followed, My best friend @LeslieTroyer volunteered to help.
View attachment 221966
We cut a portion of the bulkhead so we could squeeze out the engine from its bed. While the pistons were frozen in the cylinders, the rest of the block was in good shape. The decision to rebuild was reached in October 2022. Anticipating that the rebuild would happen over the winter ther was hope I could be back on the water by March 2023. The rebuild started mid November, then when nearly complete the mechanic left on a 10 day winter vacation. When he came back the engine had gotten damp in his shop . Due to rust on the parts that needed to be shiny, he had to rebuild it a second time.

We had hoped to install the transmission and engine in the boat in boat during a break in the February 2023 weather. On the hard, I got the bottom sanded, blisters treated and a new paint job. Also a couple of through hulls were replaced. With the engine out of boat it was a good time to look a the stuffing box. I discovered that the shaft was corroding.
View attachment 221968

Time to address a new shaft and while at it, decided to install a dripless shaft seal and cutlass bearing. The engine was still not running.
View attachment 221977

Rather than sit on the hard, I splashed the boat till we could figure out why the engine would not start.
View attachment 221970

Finally the mechanic nursed the engine to life, June 2023.
View attachment 221976

Again we pull the boat out of the water. Reinstall the engine and transmission.
View attachment 221971

Still we were not out of the woods. In retuning the boat to the raw water pump failed. Tracked down a replacement pump in California. The old pump was removed while we awaited the new pump shipment. Unknown to the mechanic or me, water started to siphon from the shaft log, through the heat exchanger, through the engine, and out the raw water pump hose. I was gone from the boat for 7 days. In that time over a thousand gallons tried to sink my boat. With the help of the Marina staff we were able to pump the water out and stop the problem. A clean up ensued. Batteries that had been submerged, some tools and boat parts that were damaged were replaced.

After all of that, the sound of my newly rebuilt diesel sounded so sweet. The mechanic said it was 66 warranty time. What? Yes… 6 minutes or 6 feet which ever comes first.

I could not wait any longer. I made the boat ready and united the lines this afternoon about 14:15 14 December 2023. Hadley purred as we slipped out of the marina. It was the first time I could really run the engine. I ran it a varying RPM’s to get it warm and set the rings. She purred smoothly through out the experience. I stood at the helm grinning like a Cheshire Cat. I had to cut my fun time a little short as the mist and drizzle was bringing in a layer of fog. No reason to get caught out in the sound in the fog.

I got back to the slip and tied up. Concerned about being a bit rusty, backing into the slip no wind or current it came back like riding a bike.

It was a great Christmas gift I received today..
Merry Christmas to all you sailors.
View attachment 221975 View attachment 221973

That is fantastic news John! I am glad to hear you are back out on the water.

 

[Hayden Watson]

That is the very best Christmas present!

 

[SoSound]

Hooray! What a great Christmas present to get!

 

[Tally Ho]

Progress Report..

Mechanic showed up at 13:20. Took a look at the fuel lines.. Yep they are leaking. Where are my wrenches… About 15 minutes later, “Let’s starter up…” Cranking… Little fuel and putt putt VROOM! She began to purr like a cat.. A big cat.. “Shutter down… We got another leak… “. A little wrenching… “Starter up…” Vroom..

Have not heard that start up Vroom for nearly 21 months.

It was 18 March 2022, that is first discovered the issue with the broken injector holddowns. There was the Injector service.
Then a starter motor fail. Next the engine seized. It became a question. Do I repower with a new motor or try to rebuild the Perkins. Still not knowing what damage had occurred to the pistons or block, August 2022 we began to take the transmission out of the boat and had it rebuilt.
View attachment 221969
The engine removal followed, My best friend @LeslieTroyer volunteered to help.
View attachment 221966
We cut a portion of the bulkhead so we could squeeze out the engine from its bed. While the pistons were frozen in the cylinders, the rest of the block was in good shape. The decision to rebuild was reached in October 2022. Anticipating that the rebuild would happen over the winter ther was hope I could be back on the water by March 2023. The rebuild started mid November, then when nearly complete the mechanic left on a 10 day winter vacation. When he came back the engine had gotten damp in his shop . Due to rust on the parts that needed to be shiny, he had to rebuild it a second time.

We had hoped to install the transmission and engine in the boat in boat during a break in the February 2023 weather. On the hard, I got the bottom sanded, blisters treated and a new paint job. Also a couple of through hulls were replaced. With the engine out of boat it was a good time to look a the stuffing box. I discovered that the shaft was corroding.
View attachment 221968

Time to address a new shaft and while at it, decided to install a dripless shaft seal and cutlass bearing. The engine was still not running.
View attachment 221977

Rather than sit on the hard, I splashed the boat till we could figure out why the engine would not start.
View attachment 221970

Finally the mechanic nursed the engine to life, June 2023.
View attachment 221976

Again we pull the boat out of the water. Reinstall the engine and transmission.
View attachment 221971

Still we were not out of the woods. In retuning the boat to the raw water pump failed. Tracked down a replacement pump in California. The old pump was removed while we awaited the new pump shipment. Unknown to the mechanic or me, water started to siphon from the shaft log, through the heat exchanger, through the engine, and out the raw water pump hose. I was gone from the boat for 7 days. In that time over a thousand gallons tried to sink my boat. With the help of the Marina staff we were able to pump the water out and stop the problem. A clean up ensued. Batteries that had been submerged, some tools and boat parts that were damaged were replaced.

After all of that, the sound of my newly rebuilt diesel sounded so sweet. The mechanic said it was 66 warranty time. What? Yes… 6 minutes or 6 feet which ever comes first.

I could not wait any longer. I made the boat ready and united the lines this afternoon about 14:15 14 December 2023. Hadley purred as we slipped out of the marina. It was the first time I could really run the engine. I ran it a varying RPM’s to get it warm and set the rings. She purred smoothly through out the experience. I stood at the helm grinning like a Cheshire Cat. I had to cut my fun time a little short as the mist and drizzle was bringing in a layer of fog. No reason to get caught out in the sound in the fog.

I got back to the slip and tied up. Concerned about being a bit rusty, backing into the slip no wind or current it came back like riding a bike.

It was a great Christmas gift I received today..
Merry Christmas to all you sailors.
View attachment 221975 View attachment 221973

Really happy to hear you and Hadley are back on the water.

Merry Christmas John.

Greg

 

[danooxnard]

Well done way to persevere and stay on task! May she run forever! Merry Christmas

 

[Mark Maulden]

Glad to hear it John! Happy holidays and we’ll see you up north!

 

[jssailem]

I was asked, "When will you be out on the water again?"

Soon.
Here is a glimpse at some of the work that is going on to ready SV Hadley for a return to cruising.

My propane tanks came originally strapped to the stern pulpit. While functional they were exposed and unsightly. With the help of my buddy LeslieTroyer, a new propane cabinet has been prepared and attached to the rails. The boat design does not provide a optimum location for propane storage. This cabinet meets the criteria to have a well ventilated space for the propane storage. Soon I will be able to use the stove and oven on board.


The removal of the engine and transmission required a hole (26x29 inches) be cut in the bulkhead. The hole is now patched and my Keene Fuel filter/pump system has a new home. New fuel lines from the tank to the engine. Additionally I have up graded the power switches and raised the negative bus bars out of the battery area beneath the sole. The new companion way stairs and a cabinet is being built to enclose the fuel systems and patched bulkhead.


The new DC electrical panel and electronics systems have been relocated to the Nav Station.

There were questions about the Blue Performance Mast Lines bag on SBO a few weeks ago. I purchased and installed this bag about 3 years ago. It does a great job organizing the various halyards on my mast.


Just a few priority projects remain before I untie the lines.

• Companion way stairs.
• Head plumbing for flush water and waste to black water tank.
• reinstall AP.
• Stereo speakers.

Working towards cruising August.

 

[kappykaplan]

I was asked, "When will you be out on the water again?"

Soon.

You're definitely making good progress, John.

 

[jssailem]

While at the boat yesterday, I was distracted by a couple with their new to them, Catalina 36.
"Hey John, we want to take our boat for her maiden cruise on Possession Sound. Would you like to join us?"

I was going to do some cleaning on my boat. What am I thinking? I would be honored to join you.

It was a glorious day to be on the sound. Sailing with new friends on their boat for the first time. What a thrill.

 

[JamesG161]

John, you are eating too many pancakes, noting your tummy size.

I thought the Heat wave in Oregon was like Sauna?

Jim...

PS: Even you PFD had to be strapped above that fat tummy,

 

[Ward H]

John, looks like you are getting much closer to dropping the lines and setting sail.
Glad you came to your senses and took the time to go sailing. All work makes a sailor a dull sailor.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

John, looks like you are getting much closer to dropping the lines and setting sail.
Glad you came to your senses and took the time to go sailing. All work makes a sailor a dull sailor.

You're pretty good at reminding me, too! (better than climbing the mast, no?)