Winter projects - 3000 Express

[bobbruce]

Dan,i may have the same issues on the fuel sender. Just curious what is the fix for it?

Thx Bob

[Woodworker2001]

Trying a left hand drill bit. Not sure yet don’t have them out. Have my mechanic doing it because I am being a sissy about breaking them off

4570B689-E3DD-4B7C-842E-17ED5DE49F8E.jpeg

[MarkT]

Are you guys trying to take out the screws? You may need to take a hacksaw blade and cut slots across the top of each screw. Then soak them with some penetrating fluid (PB Blaster) and give it a go.

[Woodworker2001]

Yes that is the next route of action Mark

Yes I have a bad sending unit and am having it replaced. Hoping that this doesn’t turn into a big issue. I have talked with my mechanic about not wanting this to cost a ton. Have considered drill the heads off and retapping the top of the tank in another location but have not made any decisions. Hoping a left hand drill bit and some blaster will break them loose. Mine were this way when I bought the boat due to another idiot stripping them all not just one

[MarkT]

This is a gas tank right? I would be very afraid to drill into the screws, and then to tap different holes? If you do drill them out without blowing up I would just use a larger screw in the same location. But I have had great success using the hacksaw blade to cut a regular slot in the top of the screw and then using an impact driver to get the screw out. Good luck to you .

[Woodworker2001]

Yes. Left hand drill bit is not meant to drill them out but rather act as an extractor. If that don’t work will try the hacksaw route I like it

[MarkT]

You should try the saw first, the drill bit may take away too much material for a flat tip to work .

[Woodworker2001]

Well I got plugs coils and wires replaced today. They were in need.

EAB9F8E7-959E-4DFD-A036-6FEBB6D0BDDE.jpeg

C4D68D17-0573-46A9-9521-DB19186836BF.jpeg

706BC167-DB1F-4658-88DE-3ADAC797A691.jpeg

But at the end of the day I got a real kick in the nuts here. See my new post for details.

[Woodworker2001]

Alright we’ll progress. I was able to get to the boat on Saturday and got a lot done

First off the mechanic got the sending unit out. He cut slots in the top of the screws (with a dremel.... glad there were not fuel leaks ). Then smacked them with a hammer a few times and they came out. Was super happy.

Then I got the bottom paint all touched up

Installed new trim tab actuators and bleed all the watery fluid out of them. Got it all back together. No leaks

Then had mechanic give me an extra hand with rudder shaft seals. We were able to do them by just dropping rudders 6” down. Took a hook pick and heated with a lighter to push down through old seal. Then opened hole up more with flat blade screw driver and pried it out. Dropped rudder down to ground. Was able to see where seals rode on shaft and it looked good. So we cleaned them up. Shortened the seal boot that came with the seal to prevent damage and pushed them down. The worsts part was getting the seals pushed in. They had to be dead straight and worked in slowly. We found it best to leave the red seal saving bonnet in the seal. The first one I got to go in with just my thumbs. The second one we had to use the handle of a ratchet to get some more leverage and then a flat screw driver to finish the job. Put everything back together and job was done. Sooo happy to have that job done

Got speakers replaced on the stbd side

Finished the tune up with new ignition sensors. Buttoned everything back up.

All I am waiting on now is to get cutless bearings replaced and she is ready to go in the water!!!! Still have some things to do but all can be done on the water. Fluid changes need to wait until can run the engines anyways. Need to diagnose the fluid leak on transmission. Need to run engines for that and change stbd thermostat. That will be a when I get time job. But If she is in the boathouse I can get to her anytime I want and fiddle with it when I want.

What a productive day that made me feel great at the end of it!!

[bobbruce]

Luv progress