[Public-List] Maintenance lessons for antique nuts...
crufone at comcast.net
crufone at comcast.net
Wed Jul 1 14:56:32 PDT 2009
Thanks Dan, I appreciate your references, Michael
----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Sternglass" <dans at stmktg.com>
To: "Alberg-30 List" <public-list at alberg30.org>
Sent: Monday, June 22, 2009 1:43:12 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [Public-List] Maintenance lessons for antique nuts...
Hello A-30 people,
Here's a few random things I learned this year by way of keeping old
gear running. The rationale for this, of course, is questionable, but I
kinda like the older stuff, and it's cheaper or easier than replacing
things, sometimes...
1. Needed a new panel for my good Atomic-4 engine when the last, and
all-important, temperature gage failed. Bought a nice panel from TD
Diesel (with bells and whistles, literally), but it came with a tach
that required an alternator AC output. Yes, I could have soldered a wire
to the diodes on my original Prestolite alternator, but it was easier to
swap that gage for the matching Faria ignition engine gage and just
connect it to the coil.
http://www.tadiesels.com/instrument_panel.html
2. While I was unwinding 43-year old friction tape, I realized I needed
to install a marine bus bar and crimp all new connections on the 8 or so
power circuits led to the old ammeter (new panel has a voltmeter). Took
quite a while to label and sort out the rat's nest of wires, mount
solidly, insulate, etc.
http://www.seattlemarine.net/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2032&idcategory=0
3. By way of messing around in that compartment, I was (fortunate) to
learn that the original switches in the panel (blower, running/steaming
light etc), disassemble easily for cleaning and re-aligning (remove from
boat first). Only had to bend the 4 tabs on the bottom of the cover to
remove it. I assume that this is widely known...
4. Old mechanical VDO speedo is another questionable artifact... After
several Marine-Tex repairs to the impeller, I decide to see if a new one
was available. Yup, Lauderdale Speedometer had 1970s NOS (new old
stock), $40.
www.lspeedo.com
5. I was looking to replace the shattered cover (and to try to
straighten bent trip meter knob) of my old VDO speedo. To my amazement,
a Google search led me to Sherco Auto supply, also in FL, who has cases
of 1970s NOS VDO gages, including mine for $18.95(!) New one reads
right-to-left, dated 1972, works great..
http://www.sherco-auto.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=VDO
6. Then there's my ancient TillerMaster autopilot. This is certainly the
most questionable repair... It's been adequate for me for the 22 years
that it worked, then the little gear-motor got flaky last year, stopping
intermittently. After some back and forth and an inspection by Globe
recently, they agreed to do a $400 rebuild of it for $195. For that
price, I'll keep the TillerMaster, though it required some attention
along the way. Supposed to get the motor back in a week or two, we'll see...
Glad to be sailing, finally.
--Dan S.
dans at stmktg.com
Watcher of the Skies, Cayuga Lake, Ithaca, NY, #201, 1966
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