One of the recommendations on a survey of my Catalina 27 (Universal Diesel, M-18) was as follows: "EXHAUST ELBOW TEMPS were over 275 degrees. REPLACE ELBOW." As I am not able to reach the original surveyor, can anyone tell me the location and function of the "exhaust elbow" (not sure if he was referring to the anti-siphon valve, exhaust riser, or something else). Also, the previous owner of my boat had not rigged a topping lift but used the main halyard to secure the boom when the mainsail was stowed. I have continued this practice but I'd like to know what would be the correct installation and use of the topping lift and whether the halyard is normally left connected to the head cringle when the mainsail is stowed. Thanks!!
Exhaust Elbow and Topping Lift Questions
- Thread starter Robie
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elbow
Robie, I think the referral is probably aimed at the riser. I replaced my elbow last year in my Universal M-15 (5114 and from my readings the elbow was pretty much everything after the engine block and before the siphon valve. The 5114 doesn't have a muffler anywhere in it so this will be a little different with yours. I attached a few oversized photos of my pjoject on the photo project area of this site FYI. Good Luck. Steve
Robie, I think the referral is probably aimed at the riser. I replaced my elbow last year in my Universal M-15 (5114 and from my readings the elbow was pretty much everything after the engine block and before the siphon valve. The 5114 doesn't have a muffler anywhere in it so this will be a little different with yours. I attached a few oversized photos of my pjoject on the photo project area of this site FYI. Good Luck. Steve
Exhaust Elbow and Topping Lift Question
Robie: The only purpose of the topping lift is to hold up the boom when the sail is flaked. It also can be used in very light air to put a little belly in the sail. I do not keep the main halyard attached to the mainsail when it is flaked because the halyard ends up slapping against the mast because you can't keep it tight enough. It tend to annoy your dock neighbors. Tip: it is a good idea to tie a short piece of line around the mast and just above the head board when the sail is flaked to prevent the sail from taking off up the mast in heavy winds in the event your cover blew off. Personally, I don't like the topping lift because I hate seeing a line flopping around and hitting the sail and telltales. That is merely the purist in me. Once I purchased the Garhauer rigid vang I eliminated the topping lift. The problem you run into without the topping lift, if you don't have a rigid vang, is once you release the main halyard to flake the sail, the boom hits the deck making the flaking job more difficult.
Robie: The only purpose of the topping lift is to hold up the boom when the sail is flaked. It also can be used in very light air to put a little belly in the sail. I do not keep the main halyard attached to the mainsail when it is flaked because the halyard ends up slapping against the mast because you can't keep it tight enough. It tend to annoy your dock neighbors. Tip: it is a good idea to tie a short piece of line around the mast and just above the head board when the sail is flaked to prevent the sail from taking off up the mast in heavy winds in the event your cover blew off. Personally, I don't like the topping lift because I hate seeing a line flopping around and hitting the sail and telltales. That is merely the purist in me. Once I purchased the Garhauer rigid vang I eliminated the topping lift. The problem you run into without the topping lift, if you don't have a rigid vang, is once you release the main halyard to flake the sail, the boom hits the deck making the flaking job more difficult.
Exhaust ELBOW
Your M-18 is very similar to the 5411 (M-15). The exhaust elbow is where the exhaust exits the manifold (squared exhaust part on the engine) per the descriptions already given, the exhaust should have round pipe that rises then turns down (the elbow) this is to ensure that any cooling water that enters the system (through the mixing tee immediately after the elbow) drains into your muffler box & not back into your engine (which would be BAD). This is the area where carbon from the exhaust can build up and restrict either the flow of cooling water from the mixing tee, or restrict the flow of exhaust & cause high back pressure. Also the Tee is subject to corrosion & usually needs replacement every 5 or so years. Hope this helps. I replaced mine with common iorn plumbers pipe at the hardware store. Search the archives for the 5411 version, the setup is identical & there is more info on the 5411.
Your M-18 is very similar to the 5411 (M-15). The exhaust elbow is where the exhaust exits the manifold (squared exhaust part on the engine) per the descriptions already given, the exhaust should have round pipe that rises then turns down (the elbow) this is to ensure that any cooling water that enters the system (through the mixing tee immediately after the elbow) drains into your muffler box & not back into your engine (which would be BAD). This is the area where carbon from the exhaust can build up and restrict either the flow of cooling water from the mixing tee, or restrict the flow of exhaust & cause high back pressure. Also the Tee is subject to corrosion & usually needs replacement every 5 or so years. Hope this helps. I replaced mine with common iorn plumbers pipe at the hardware store. Search the archives for the 5411 version, the setup is identical & there is more info on the 5411.
Get a rigid vang
Get a rigid boom vang instead of a topping lift and you'll be better off. The rigid vang eliminates the need for a topping lift.I recommend that you check out Garhauer's rigid vang (see link). Catalina uses them as original equipment and they are relatively inexpensive and well made.
Get a rigid boom vang instead of a topping lift and you'll be better off. The rigid vang eliminates the need for a topping lift.I recommend that you check out Garhauer's rigid vang (see link). Catalina uses them as original equipment and they are relatively inexpensive and well made.
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