Original Engine Cover

[rhythmsurfer]

I finally got a new computer and will be more active on the forums now! Updates for Irish Blessing are coming. Anyway....Does anyone know how the original engine cover was sealed on 1981 Hunter 36? Mine has screw holes but now screws and I removed what was left of the silicone the P.O. had used. I have seen the modified cover in the archives and I really don't want to go that direction. I would like to put in struts. But for now I was just thinking of putting a large bead of 5200 down and letting it cure before I put the cover back on. Any ideas?

 

[Ed Schenck]

Well Rardi or another H36 owner has to be the last word here. You realize that most of us do not have a cockpit engine hatch? At least I think that is what you are asking about. And if you use 5200 then you must feel you would never need to get in that way. Because 5200 is very permanent.

 

[rardiH36]

Hello RythmSurfer:

You probably recall last summer the h36 engine hatch cover topic was also covered.

http://forums.hunter.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?p=843266&highlight=hatch

I agree with Ed that 5200 might be a difficult to undo solution. Getting the hatch cover off at some time in the future might even lead to permanent damage to your cockpit sole and the hatch cover in the process?

If you are looking for something quicker, you might try putting down a strip of thick dense foam gasket material (say 3/4" x 3/4") around the hatch to frame mating surface perimeter. Then put just a few screws through the existing screw holes in the hatch cover into the cockpit sole frame to compress the cover enough to be moisture resistant. Then lay a bit of duct tape over each screw and over the unused screw holes so that water can't enter through them. The gasket material in my opinion would be a better moisture barrier than caulk or silicone. And the cover can then be removed and replaced many times.

I can't imagine not having access to my engine through the removable hatch. It would be a shame to seal the hatch permanently in my opinion.

Curious what are the struts that you are considering?

 

[Amos Cape]

I jest did a fix on my H30 1980. I put dome topper weather stripping and I also put in machine thread lags with butyl on the head to make a good seal and still be able to use it when needed.

 

[rhythmsurfer]

Amos what is dome topper weather stripping?

 

[Amos Cape]

Amos what is dome topper weather stripping?

It is weather stripping use on toppers for your truck. It is around 1 1/2" wide and a1/4" thick. It is working great with no leaks.

 

[rhythmsurfer]

http://www.acehardwareoutlet.com/productdetails.aspx?sku=998017543

This is what I used it worked great. However, I have not put it to all the tests. I secured the engine cover with an assortment of ten screws placing them in the holes the P.O. had made. There were no screws when I bought the boat. The engine compartment was water tight after washing the boat. Thanks to all of you for helping especially Rardi.

 

[redhead78]

I would like to have an access like that to my engine, it would be great for working in the area behind the engine, stuff box, coupler, trans, ect ... Red

 

[rardiH36]

RythmSurfer:

I wonder why your hatch cover has what looks like like 10 screws holding it down? Where mine has 14. (Pics attached.)

As you say, maybe this is PO thing? That the Hunter factory shipped the boats with the hatch not secured for some reason and the method was left up to the commissioning yard?

Whatever the case, the hatch attachment method and gasket sealing was a weak point in an otherwise great feature.

 

[rardiH36]

Red:

Yeah, the removable cover is neat to have. I've certainly read about the severe engine access issues many boat owner have even for routine tasks.

The stuffing box is too low down for the top access to help. But certainly would make shaft alignment much easier. In conjunction with panel removal from front and sides, the hatch is great for tasks such as starter motor removal, injector repair, multi-location bleeding, valve clearance adjustment ... and on-and-on. I think that even I would be able to replace a head gasket as conveniently as if the engine was sitting on a shop bench.

 

[rhythmsurfer]

Rardi my engine cover did not need any support. It is pretty strong. The P.O. certainly did not measure or align the spaces between each screw.