jenevers

Strange that no overplated boat has ever been shown to have any "in between plates" rusting failure. I'm sure that the towpath telegraph would have swiftly spread the story throughout the canal network. So..... is it a myth?

Interesting. If only someone would come forward with actual proof of rusting taking place between plates, rather than the (understandable) theory that wet steel must rust.

Thanks for the info. If the pinprick was at the top of any welding I would think that all air would be forced out by the ingress of water. Also, I wonder if any "old air" ie. trapped for years, contains any oxygen.

I've heard this argument before but, even if water does get trapped between the plates, oxygen is required as well as water, for rusting to take place. So would oxygen be present? I understand that instinctively, people would expect rusting to take place but has anyone any actual experience or hard evidence of this being the case? Or are we all just assuming this is what happens?

In line with the drogue idea, I've often wondered if an anchor chain, attached to the T stud and thrown overboard would cause enough drag to keep the bows in a central position in the canal. It wouldn't foul on any underwater objects, like a mud weight.

Just get a Haynes manual for the Ford XLD and all will be revealed re maintenance!

Yes you need a bit of space between the front of the engine and the bulkhead to get at the cambelt.

I had one in our narrowboat and I thought it was a great engine. Thing to look out for is the cam belt needs changing after (I think) 50,000 miles. Don't know how that translates into engine hours!! Many years, I would imagine.

Just when I'd almost made my mind up to get an Apple Air 2 I am filled with doubt!

I'm getting there.......slowly

Oh I thought you meant connected by a cable. My laptop needs a dongle so why does the iPad not? I'm confused!

The iPad (or am I missing something?)

Bluetooth dongle would be OK then?

Do I need a dongle to get internet or is it included in the DEAL?

But why?

Just surfing t'internet, emails, Skype, Youtube etc. Not for business use.

What are the pros and cons of each? Any comments gratefully accepted.

That was my understanding too. But there was no rust or pitting under the red oxide. Maybe it was a GLOSS red oxide and therefore not porous.

When we treated some new (replating) steel on our hull, I was surprised to read on the Bitumen tin instructions, that new steel should be coated with red oxide paint BEFORE applying the bitumen. I was going to apply the bitumen straight onto the new steel. Three years later when we dry docked for re-blacking the hull, the pressure washer blasted the bitumen off no problem but couldn't budge the red oxide! Makes you wonder if red oxide and a coat of gloss is preferable to bitumen.

Thanks. I continue to learn.

Does anyone do this ( as recommended in original manual) or is it unnecessary with modern diesel?

Thanks. I have both the Gardner in line fuel filters (with paper elements) but I'll check the Amal pump anyway. Don't suppose it's ever been drained. Where exactly is this .018 dia hole in the filter body? My service book's aboard and I'm not.