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matola

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Posts posted by matola

  1. Engine swap out tips

    in Boat Building & Maintenance

    Posted

    So I mentioned that I would give a short pic report here of the engine swap out,

     

    Firstly I must say that I am most grateful to all the people who turned up to offer help, mostly with lifting,

    It's a real credit to the boating community that so many were willing to chip in and help. So thanks to everyone, particularly Darren and Tony.

     

    After that, this is the first time I tried this and it was easier than I imagined, some small issues came in unexpected ways but were not impossible to overcome and I'd encourage anyone who's thinking of doing this themselves to give it a go.

     

    So choose a bridge with required weight limit and as little traffic as possible, Stonebridge is good as no one uses the manual lock. However the number of gongoozlers is high.

    1tonne.jpg

     

    The lift weight is way under a tonne and also a quick look at the bridge makes it clear that it can take considerably more than a tonne, I'd guess up to 10 at least.

     

     

    OutShecomes.jpg

     

    Strap over the bridge I beam and a chain hoist to lift.

    Had to angle it with another strap to clear the guttering, probably better to remove the gearbox in place and lift separately.

     

     

    ReadytoLift.jpg

     

    Once lifted get boards underneath and to the side, where you'll need a hand to get it onto land.

     

    repaint.jpg

     

    Take the chance to repaint underneath.

     

    ReadytoDrop.jpg

     

    The hardest lift was to clear the rails. Many thanks to all who helped.

     

     

    in.jpg

     

    Lower into place and then spend considerable time to line up the gear and prop, took me maybe half a day to get right, but worth it. (push the plates up together and place feeler gauge to test alignment)

     

    shiney.jpg

     

    Once in, start the tasks of reconnecting everything, Here I have finished the controls and fuel lines.

    shiney2.jpg

     

    Stand back and admire the shiny new (recon) unit.

     

     

    So once I have had a rest, it just remains to reconnect the loom and electrics and start up :)

     

    Once again many thanks to all who helped. Particularly Keith (Chief Engineer), Mary (Catering), Tony and Darren (Muscle)


    cool smile.png

    out of interest what bridge did you use / are you still in east London? i've got a big generator to move from one boat to another

    Still in Stonebridge along with my Chain hoist, if you need a hand let me know. Cheers Matt

  3. Engine swap out tips

    in Boat Building & Maintenance

    Posted

    This weekend i,m plannning to switch out my bmc 1.5 with a recon unit. I have my eye on a suitable bridge, where i can get my tool van alongside, and think i have most equipment available, chain hoist planks, dolly etc. Once i switch over the gearbox and alternator i think it should slot right in.

     

    Have you any tips that might make it all go a more smoothly?

     

    Thanks matt

     

    Oh and while its out i,ll paint the engine bay, any particular paint required ?

  4. Crimped water pipes at Victoria Park Lock tap

    in General Boating

    Posted

    I passed last evening and the tap has indeed been removed once again, and now the toilet is also locked with a chain and a non services key padlock.

     

    Thanks CRT for the new tap at mile end, it has good pressure, but take a very long hose with you as many boats are moored up against it.

     

    While I don't want to accuse the new cottage owners, I cannot think of an alternative motive for the continued vandalism. It's clearly not metal thieves as the pipework has been replaced with plastic.

     

    Maybe it's not a shared water meter issue, but it just messes with their water pressure.

     

    A tap on the offside is surely a very sensible idea.

  7. Crimped water pipes at Victoria Park Lock tap

    in General Boating

    Posted

    When they removed the tap at Tottenham it was because they'd sold the lock cottages. The main was shared with the cottages and this tap. When the houses were sold they were put on a water meter, meaning if they'd kept the tap their water rates would be astronomical. Well that's what they told us anyway.

     

    Has anyone thought to email or write to them?

    This is certainly a possibility. I haven't written to CRT, apparently this started a couple of weeks ago so I'd hoped they'll already be aware.

     

     

    London Taps:-

     

    Tottenham - Removed

    Stonebridge - Works but extermely low pressure - slow

    Victoria Park - Removed

    Angel - Refurbished and working (Still ?)

    Little Venice - Working ?

     

  9. IWA Calls For Action On 'Continuous Moorers'

    in General Boating

    Posted

    What is confusing me is why you did not just wait until they take you to court for non payment. They know they are on as you say "shaky ground" and for that reason they will not try to recover and will therefor not pursue you so you will not get your day in court. I was not having a go at you just disappointed that you have given them the chance to walk away on the basis that they had already agreed not to charge you and will put it down to clerical error.

    No offence taken :)

     

    They do indeed still currently have the option to void the "fine" and write it off as a clerical error. Although they have not yet confirmed this is the direction they will take. If they decide to try to uphold the "fine" then I will wait for the recovery action to commence proceedings. Although, I see your point about not giving this option.

  15. IWA Calls For Action On 'Continuous Moorers'

    in General Boating

    Posted

    Can I ask why you have not yet released your army of lawyers? I do not think they are on shaky ground I think they can not do it full stop..........I normally do not overstay but will do so on the first mooring I get to that says there is a £25 charge.

    I have notified them of them of the circumstances and that if they wish to proceed we will answer in court, they are considering their response.

     

  16. IWA Calls For Action On 'Continuous Moorers'

    in General Boating

    Posted

    I have an outstanding £125 overstay charge from Islington. We always try to abide by the rules, but in this case we were broken down and could not move along on Friday as planned, we had to stay until Monday when the parts arrived. We telephoned Stacey and told her of the situation, "that'll be fine, said she", also left a message on her answer phone.

     

    Regardless of the situation, research shows there is very shaky legal ground from which to make these overstay charges, so although crt are currently considering the case, In fact I hope they decide to press on with the case as I have a small army of various lawyers in my family to release on them should they decide they wish to test this in court.

    I'll let you know how it goes.

  17. Modern battery technology

    in Boat Equipment

    Posted

    Hi All

     

    So it's time for me to replace my leisure batteries as they are no longer holding charge very long. Currently I have 2 x lead acid 120Ah which have been pretty poorly treated over 2 years.

     

    I am trying to choose which technology is worth going for in relation to the price.

     

    As far as I have read there is :-

     

    lead acid

     

    Calcium

     

    Gel

     

    carbon fibre

     

    LiFe P4

     

     

    I read that the Lithiumferrumphosphate Lifepo4 are way in advance of the others, as they support more than 3000 charge cycles. But a quick look shows me that a 40ah is around £350.

     

    I don't read good things of carbon fibre batteries.

     

    I am prepared to invest in quality batteries, but guess my limit is around £400 for a pair, unless I can prove to myself any additioanl expenditure is worth it.

     

    Could I get your opinions and any links to good info ?

     

    Many thanks Matt

  18. Spate of boat break-ins East London

    in General Boating

    Posted · Edited by matola

    I've only just heard about this and am feeling very bad because I was moored in the middle of all these boats and was up and awake most of the night but did not hear a thing. Or even notice any broken locks in the morning etc. I wish I could have done something to prevent all this damage and catch a few of those involved but I could not.

    I guess they looked in my window and saw me awake a missed me out, so lucky for me but not for others.

     

    When I first heard it was 10 boats, I was so surprised there were so many unoccupied boats at the weekend, but I guess a lot of people work in town and go away for the weekend.

     

    On the other notes in this forum about not fighting back, excuse my language but F*ck that,, anyone who tries to get in my boat while I'm on board and I'm going to cut their thieving fingers off with my axe. I'm thinking of putting a sign up to this effect.

     

     

    Sorry everyone I could not do more :( Take care out there.

     

    Matt

     

    P.S At least we have signs up now that say, "Police patrol this area" so you can all rest easy.

     

     

    Oh now I read these have been nicked too :(

  19. Bleedin Nut

    in Boat Building & Maintenance

    Posted

    Hi

    I managed to drill and remove the stud using the tang on a needle file :) and now I've found and cut a new bolt to suit perfectly and now its sealed once again :)

    But I'm still having the original bleeding problem, but will give it a go to turn it right through as you suggest, just waiting for the batterys to charge again now. I think it'll go this time, fingers crossed.

     

    I marked both the bolt sections before i removed them, and have been carefull not to adjust the turn between the lower and the middle bolts while fixing the upper 8mm bleed bolt so I hope the idle has not moved, but had little choice but to remove it.

     

    Thanks for your help.

    Matt

     

     

     

    First of all by taking it all out you have disturbed the idle damper so when you put it back it may not rev up, it may have too high an idle or it may stall when put into slow speed.

     

    Personally I NEVER bleed from that point because it can so easily end in tears (as you have found. Bleed from the 8mm bleed screw that is located on the side of the cylindrical body and keep priming for at least 30 seconds after you think you have all the air out. Then bleed from the injector pipe unions by cranking the engine.

     

    If you really have problems bleeding it remove one end of the pipe running from the engine end of the injector pump to the IN arrow on the filter, wrap in rags (its going to be messy) and spin on starter.

     

    It is just a CAV DPA pump so ANY decent diesel equipment specialist should be able to supply a new screw and possibly the complete damper assembly. Otherwise as has been said Calcutt.

  20. Bleedin Nut

    in Boat Building & Maintenance

    Posted

    I've sheared off my upper fueld pump bleed nut while bleeding my bmc 1.5.

     

    Thing is I Do know m own strength, - puny! I'm always carefull not to overtighten but it seemed to be made from soft cheese today.

     

    Anyway it'll need to be fixed and bled again before we're going anywhere.

     

    nuts.jpg

     

    So I could try and drill and get an extractor to remove the stud and try to find a suitable bolt but maybe I'm better off looking to buy a replacement unit ?

     

    Where might I find a replacement bolt set ?

     

    As always thanks, everyone for your help and advice.

     

    Matt

  25. Alternative to Cork key ring

    in Boat Equipment

    Posted

    I had one of these rattling in my pocket for over 2 years, got it wet many times whilst cycling so never thought it would work. However dropped my keys in the lea a while ago and peered down thinking about who I could borrow a magnet from, and blub blub blub up it came. I also left it inflated overnight, and it still worked the next day.

     

    Going to ask for another from santa.

     

    Matt

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