Forum: Drive Train / Propellers
06-01-2011, 04:50 PM
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Replies: 35
Views: 8,734
To Lock or Lock Redux
Since posting my reply several minutes ago, I have looked at the drag experiment on the provided link. One can't argue with the numbers - the free-wheeling three-bladed prop has less drag than the...
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Forum: Drive Train / Propellers
06-01-2011, 04:14 PM
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Replies: 35
Views: 8,734
To Lock or Not Lock
While it may defy conventional knowledge, a freewheeling propellor creates more drag than a locked one. When we race our Tartan 30, which has a two bladed prop tucked close behind the keel, we put...
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Forum: Good Guys
06-01-2011, 10:01 AM
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Replies: 12
Views: 11,242
Wrenches
The wrenches needed for the A4 are properly called "SAE" (for Society of Automotive Engineers) not "Imperial" (except maybe in the UK). Asking for a set of "Imperial" wrenches might get you a set of...
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Forum: General Maintenance
05-31-2011, 10:49 AM
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Replies: 33
Views: 96,089
Hot Section Insulation
I'm surprised at the angst about finding appropriate insulation for exhaust hot sections. MMI sells just the thing - give Don and Brenda some business in appreciation for their services to us...
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Forum: Fuel System
05-26-2011, 10:39 AM
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Replies: 6
Views: 3,619
Oil Pressure Switch Mounting
The oil pressure switch on our A4 has failed after only one short season of operation, and before installing a replacement I would like to solicit advice on mounting it to reduce chances of another...
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Forum: Ignition System
05-26-2011, 10:10 AM
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Replies: 17
Views: 12,560
Runs, Stops, Starts, Runs, Stops, Cured
Yesterday I finally got to the boat, and isolated the cause in about five minutes. Yes, it was a faulty oil pressure switch. Although I had previously jumpered the switch, evidently my crocodile...
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Forum: Ignition System
05-19-2011, 02:21 PM
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Replies: 17
Views: 12,560
Float valve
Interesting suggestion about the float valve. In a previous boat I had a float valve that would stick even with 3 psi fuel pressure on it. And as you say, the engine would run a few minutes before...
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Forum: Ignition System
05-19-2011, 11:25 AM
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Replies: 17
Views: 12,560
Not fuel pump
The possibilty of the fuel pump cutting out because the oil pressure switch opens was considered, although that would be unlikely to cause such an abrupt shutdown. However, just to make sure, I...
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Forum: Ignition System
05-18-2011, 09:39 PM
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Replies: 17
Views: 12,560
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Forum: Ignition System
05-18-2011, 08:48 PM
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Replies: 17
Views: 12,560
Runs great, then shuts off, then runs great
Our A4 has been running like a charm until last week. Restarting after a race, the A4 caught immediately and ran perfectly for about three minutes. It then shut down instantly (as though the...
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Forum: Cooling System
06-23-2010, 09:53 AM
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Replies: 46
Views: 15,169
Water Pump
Check the outlet port of the pump for bits of a previous impeller - they can get wedged in there pretty tight and block flow completely. Don't ask how I know.
If your water pump is as...
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Forum: Fuel System
06-22-2010, 10:19 PM
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Replies: 8
Views: 11,305
New Carburetor
I agree 100% - get a new carburetor, then rebuild the old one as a learning exercise, and if it works out OK, as a spare. As a a favor to the website, could you reduce the size of pictures attached...
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Forum: Ignition System
06-22-2010, 09:38 PM
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Replies: 11
Views: 9,944
Squeeze bulb
If you put a squeeze bulb in the fuel line, don't let the Coast Guard or any marine surveyors see it: it is very illegal as well as being unsafe. While we are at it, the same goes for any...
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Forum: Polls
06-21-2010, 05:12 PM
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Replies: 84
Views: 67,103
Blower
In our Tartan 30 the exhaust system is in the space between the midship bulkhead and the head cabinetry. Even though the "hot" piping is reasonably well insulated, we keep the exhaust fan "on" to...
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Forum: Safety
06-17-2010, 10:57 AM
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Replies: 47
Views: 57,632
MMO treatment of impellers
Since reading about it several days ago, I have been troubled by the implications of soaking water pump impellers in MMO before installation. Presumably the intention is to make them more flexible,...
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Forum: Safety
06-16-2010, 11:39 AM
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Replies: 47
Views: 57,632
Spelunking
Spelunking: The hobby or practice of exploring caves (English)
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Forum: Safety
06-14-2010, 05:41 PM
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Replies: 47
Views: 57,632
Impeller replacement
We replace the impeller every two years simply because the things get tired. However, having a boat in which the water pump can actually be seen, and even worked on from a comfortable chair, and...
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Forum: Troubleshooting
06-14-2010, 10:34 AM
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Replies: 13
Views: 20,478
No restart
The next time this happens, pull the lowest sparkplug (#4) and see if it has water on it. I had the same symptoms as you are experiencing, and it turned out that water was getting into the manifold...
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Forum: Troubleshooting
06-10-2010, 11:12 PM
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Replies: 25
Views: 8,168
MJB Control
Darn! At least I didn't pay the West Marine price - $529!!!!
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Forum: Cooling System
06-10-2010, 06:08 PM
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Replies: 43
Views: 9,111
Hose sizes
I agree 100% that every component in the flow loop affects flow rate, and I never suggested otherwise. However, my point was (and is) that when you look at the quantitative effects of hose size (and...
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Forum: Cooling System
06-10-2010, 04:04 PM
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Replies: 43
Views: 9,111
Hose sizes
I agree with ndutton 100% - the hose sizes are as he states, at least in any installations I've seen. For discussion I quoted the sizes which this thread started with.
My point was (and is) that,...
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Forum: Troubleshooting
06-10-2010, 02:14 PM
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Replies: 25
Views: 8,168
Single shifter
My reference to "single lever shifter" seems to have been misinterpreted. By "single lever" I mean a control which has only one handle, but has two functions (transmission and the throttle). There...
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Forum: Cooling System
06-10-2010, 01:49 PM
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Replies: 43
Views: 9,111
Cooling hose size
Back to the original question, namely the effect of cross-sectional area on flow. Consider the case presented, namely 3/8" versus 3/4" hose. For simplicity let's say that 3/8" and 3/4" are the...
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Forum: Tartan
06-07-2010, 08:45 PM
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Replies: 8
Views: 13,935
Tratan 30 Standpipe
I "misspoke" concerning the routing of the cooling water hose. In the original layout it did not go from the anti-siphon fitting to the lift box as I accidently said, but to the injection point at...
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Forum: Troubleshooting
06-07-2010, 08:39 PM
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Replies: 25
Views: 8,168
Single lever controls
I trashed the single-lever control which I removed, but looking at pictures in current e-catalogs, I suspect it was made by Teleflex-Morse (as was the two-lever control I replaced it with). Uflex...
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