H356 engine access ?

chuckwayne · Jan 21, 2012

Simple things can be done with the stairs tilted forward- you can check the oil if you've got long arms.... The clevis pins in the hinges come out and you can lift the lid and slide towards the galley-access is actually pretty good compared to some boats. The companionway stairs have a fireport and you can add an automatic system pretty easily-some 356/36s came with them installed

rfrye1 · Jan 22, 2012

Along that same note, I have a a 1998 H376. Changing the impeller was nearly impossible, access was horrible. The "fix" was to cut an access panel to the port side of the engine via the head. Now at least I have a fighting chance if I ever have to change one out in the ocean! My BIG QUESTION is "why on earth does Yanmar stick those impellers way back there??" You would think their design engineers could come up with a better design... Just my 2 cents.
Bob

seadaddler · Jan 22, 2012

2007-h-36

This is with my compainon steps easy to remove and work on motor and you can see the pump impeller is really easy to change for sure.
356 steps a little different but not much.

seadaddler · Jan 22, 2012

What Year

What year 356 are you looking at and look in owner modifications for more info on the 356.
My 2007 H-36 is very different than the 356 and easy to slide my steps side ways to work on my motor and my engine is different than in the photo in owner mods,my yanmar is newer and the heat exchange is on the port side and cover for the pump faces forward.
Nick

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Jan 22, 2012

Engine Access is not hard in 2003 356

The strap you are referring to can be modified with a plastic snap buckle and you can easily remove the cover. You can check the oil without removing the cover. It is kind of hard to find and I have tied a string to my oil dipstick so it is easier to locate. Just pay attention to where it is so you can put it back.

For changing the impeller, you will remove the two cotter pins on the lower edge, slide the bolts out, and then you can slide the cover to the area in front of the rear bedroom door and behind the kitchen counter. You then have complete access to perform all maintenance. You can also lift it up and over the kitchen counter and set it on the port bench. I have done both.

On the 03 356 and the 04, I know the raw water pump has to be lossened and turned over to take off the cover. It is no big deal to do and only takes a few minutes to loosen the pump bracket and remove the belt. On later models between 04 and Seadaddler, I am not sure. His pump faces forward and is much easier to access, but don't be intimidated by the arrangement I have.

chuckwayne · Jan 22, 2012

Re: Engine Access is not hard in 2003 356

Thanks for expanding Jerry! I also modified the retaining strap, and replaced the plain, cotter pinned hinge pins with quick release pins. I added a speedseal on the raw water pump, so I can access and change the impeller quickly. Belt access is similarly easy-pull the hinge pins, slide over the lid, do what you need to do-it's 2 wrenches. I also carry an automotive belt tensioning tool-widely available cheaply-that pushes the pulleys apart to hold tension until you tighten the bolts. I can do either in a couple of minutes, even under sail.

Ken13559 · Jan 23, 2012

Bob, if the 356 is anything like the Yr 2002 326, then YES, you can access the engine back & gearbox from rear berth. There's a panel you can pop open.

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Jan 23, 2012

Speedseal

Chuck:
I also added a speedseal and it makes it better and faster. I have just kinda wagged the belt tension. Could you elaborate on the belt tensioning tool? That sounds like a much better solution than my finger on the belt!

chuckwayne · Jan 23, 2012

access to the back of the engine is thru a panel in the aft cabin and under the mattress. you can easily get to the transmission fill and the linkages on the back of the engine. Oil and fuel filters are on the front of the engine. the fuel tank shutoffs and the racor filter and water separator are also under the mattress.

chuckwayne · Jan 23, 2012

Re: Speedseal

Jerry, I got mine from jc whitney but they should be easy to find. It looks like a turnbuckle but instead of eyes at the ends it's got curved bars that sit in the pulley grooves. the body has extensions to adjust for the pulley spacing but the basic tool fits fine on our engine. You put it between the pulleys and expand it until the belt is at the right tension-about 1/2" deflection with a firm finger push. It holds the alternator in place while you tighten the bolts.

Ken13559 · Jan 23, 2012

Chuck, I made out of turnbuckle. Got one with ring ends, saw off 1/2 the ring and it becomes a fork which sits on the curve of the pulley. works great. got a small one for water belt tensioning and a larger one for alternator belt.

Steve Dion · Jan 24, 2012

Yanmar finally got it right with the YM engines. The GM engines were a pain in the.... to change the impellers and check the oil. Especially changing the impeller when the engine was HOT!!!

Jerry Clark H356 SV Persi · Jan 24, 2012

Thanks for the belt tensioning advice

Chuck and Ken - thanks for the advice. I'll be getting one of these this spring.

chuckwayne · Jan 24, 2012

Great idea, Ken! My commercial one is too large to use on the small raw water belt, but I'm going to make one your way for that!

Ron Roman · Jan 25, 2012

Jerry, I checked jcwhitney and could't find it. What's the name of it.

chuckwayne · Jan 25, 2012

hmmm, I looked and couldn't find it either-I'll look for a source and post it

H356 engine access ?

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