Combi question

[k_setchfield]

Hello everyone,

This is a continuation of my attempt to solve the problem of my vari-prop blades being stuck and unable to change pitch.

I pulled apart the combi enough to separate it from the engine a couple of inches. I used a lever to get in between the engine and the combi housing and then was able to pull the combi aft a little bit at a time until I got it an inch back. Then I jumped into the water to look at the blades to see if their pitch had changed at all. Indeed, they had changed. I am able now to change the pitch of the blades by hand while in the water.

When I shift them so that they are pointing forward (as if you were
driving the vega forward with the engine), the entire combi housing
shifts aft along the drive shaft. So the blades are not stuck in the
prop boss, like I had expected.

The problem is specifically that the "sleeve" (part # 27-1 in the
parts diagram) is stuck in the combi housing and will not slide
forward or aft within the combi housing. The teeth had not gone beyond their proper range ofmotion. I mean that the two small shafts that have teeth on them in the combi (parts 33-1 and 28-1) are properly grabbing the teeth of the sleeve. It is just that the sleeve will not slide forward or aft within the combi.

So at this point, I feel like I probably need to get the combi out of
the boat so that I can completely pull it apart and see if there is
some broken part that is blocking the sleeve's movement. I suppose
that it is also possible that the sleeve is just stuck and could be
forced to free it up, but there's no way to know right now.

I've been following the instructions in the file named "Combi Instructions.ppdf, and I've reached step # 15, and I am stuck here right now. These instructions say to pull the prop boss and shaft aft by using a lever (which I'll have to do while underwater). This is supposed to pull the while shaft aft enough so that you can remove the combi from the boat.

I wonder if you have any advice about how to pull the prop shaft aft
other than just using a lever against the hull while underwater. Any
ideas or help would be appreciated. I'm so glad that the problem is
not in the prop boss so that I don't have to haul the boat out, but I
still need to get the sleeve to free up.

I'm here on the boat until tomorrow evening so I will be working on this until then. Then I have to go home for another week. So I hope I can get the combi out before I go!

Many thanks,
Kristopher Setchfield
(413) 210-9323

 

[j.hunter9999]

Hi Kris - I did this job a couple years ago on the hard. Make sure you have some kind of a plug in case the prop shaft slides aft too far, and keeps sliding right out of the boat. When I pulled the shaft a couple years ago, once it cleared the combi, it slid right out the back. We were in a barn/warehouse, so it hit the wood wall and stayed in place. But, if we were in the water, it would definitely have kept going.

As for levering the shaft aft, I used a 2x4 between the boat and a large spanner, alternating gentle coaxing with a fair amount of forceful demand. Although it took a bit of effort, it eventually slid right aft and into the wall.

Installation may be the bigger problem. I had to apply extreme prejudice in re-seating the prop into the forward clamp rings. That may be difficult under water.

Best of luck.

Jack
Bella - V2620

 

[trevy_kins]

Sorry Kris - no email access on weekends. A clever Vegatarian once
devised a special puller for removing the shaft at the forward end. The
instructions used to be on the Yahoo site somewhere, along with the
article "Combi Without Tears". I can't seem to find either of them now.
Perhaps someone with better computer skills could search our site for
them.



While I am on the subject of missing information, there also used to be
a nice step by step photo guide in the photo section showing how to
strengthen the mast step with simple hand-hewn wooden reinforcements.
Can anyone direct me to that?



Trevor - V2915



From: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com [mailto:AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com] On
Behalf Of k_setchfield
Sent: August 7, 2010 4:57 PM
To: AlbinVega@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [AlbinVega] Combi question





Hello everyone,

This is a continuation of my attempt to solve the problem of my
vari-prop blades being stuck and unable to change pitch.

I pulled apart the combi enough to separate it from the engine a couple
of inches. I used a lever to get in between the engine and the combi
housing and then was able to pull the combi aft a little bit at a time
until I got it an inch back. Then I jumped into the water to look at the
blades to see if their pitch had changed at all. Indeed, they had
changed. I am able now to change the pitch of the blades by hand while
in the water.

When I shift them so that they are pointing forward (as if you were
driving the vega forward with the engine), the entire combi housing
shifts aft along the drive shaft. So the blades are not stuck in the
prop boss, like I had expected.

The problem is specifically that the "sleeve" (part # 27-1 in the
parts diagram) is stuck in the combi housing and will not slide
forward or aft within the combi housing. The teeth had not gone beyond
their proper range ofmotion. I mean that the two small shafts that have
teeth on them in the combi (parts 33-1 and 28-1) are properly grabbing
the teeth of the sleeve. It is just that the sleeve will not slide
forward or aft within the combi.

So at this point, I feel like I probably need to get the combi out of
the boat so that I can completely pull it apart and see if there is
some broken part that is blocking the sleeve's movement. I suppose
that it is also possible that the sleeve is just stuck and could be
forced to free it up, but there's no way to know right now.

I've been following the instructions in the file named "Combi
Instructions.ppdf, and I've reached step # 15, and I am stuck here right
now. These instructions say to pull the prop boss and shaft aft by using
a lever (which I'll have to do while underwater). This is supposed to
pull the while shaft aft enough so that you can remove the combi from
the boat.

I wonder if you have any advice about how to pull the prop shaft aft
other than just using a lever against the hull while underwater. Any
ideas or help would be appreciated. I'm so glad that the problem is
not in the prop boss so that I don't have to haul the boat out, but I
still need to get the sleeve to free up.

I'm here on the boat until tomorrow evening so I will be working on this
until then. Then I have to go home for another week. So I hope I can get
the combi out before I go!

Many thanks,
Kristopher Setchfield
(413) 210-9323

 

[kevinwoods.vega]

Kristopher,

I've just finished a successful dismantling, repair and re-assembly of the combi on my gasoline engine, and it seems to be working like a darn.

I did the whole thing while afloat.

I agree that having a plug to bung the hole if the shaft slips out, but I took the approach of putting two stainless hose clamps on the shaft to prevent the VERY SLIPPERY SUCKER from slipping out the back. It wants to go! Don't let it.

There's just no substitute for getting the innards out, and understanding how the whole thing works. You'll ultimately want to clean it up anyway - so just pull the thing.

In my case, the bearing had to be replaced, (it was really shattered!) and one of the clips was toast. You may just be needing to replace the forward clip that holds the bearing in place. That is what caused my non-responsive shift lever. If that clip is missing,you can bang on the mechanism with a tree-stump, and it won't fix it.

You've just gotta get it open and inspect the parts.

I've got a simple design for a flange puller that worked on my gasoline engine assembly - but I understand that this design doesn't work on (some??) deisel models.

. . . happy to help out with specific questions - IF your assembly looks like mine.

Kevin Woods
Hornby Island
BC, Canada

 

[vegaboat]

might be good to remember that the combi bearing is underwater, and it's
only the seals on the shaft/sleeve/prop that keep the water out...I've
pulled the shaft while the boat was in the water by tying a safety line on
the prop, having a helper put a plug in the inside stern tube with a
safety wire lashing, and a plug on the outside also (hard to get out after
it had swelled up). when water leaks past the 0-ring seals, it's only the
grease in the bearing that is any protection from rust.
Ric Eiserling, #935