TeeELL
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Posts posted by TeeELL
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Thank you for the information gentlemen. When it comes to necessary tools, I have them in abundance - even torque wrenches! I will supply photos etc in the fullness of time for your valued opinions of the condition of the Python drive and guidance on the repair/replacement scenario.
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Perhaps I should try this again? It was not and is not my intention to cause such upset but it seems I have!
In order to assess an issue with my Python drive I need to remove it for investigation to identify a repair/replacement plan of action.
Is the removal of the drive sufficiently straight forward such that I can undertake it?Once removed it should prove easier for me to publish photographs in order to seek advice on a plan of action.
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OK, sorry to have troubled you all. Quite what you think is going on is totally beyond me - I have a narrowboat and I have a badly damaged Python drive. I asked for advice about replacing it but it seems to have become something more.
For those of you who have offered advice - I thank you, it has given me some confidence that I can resolve my problem.
For those of you who think there is ‘some thing else’ going on - sorry to disappoint - just a simple request for advice. I do not know why it has ruffled your feathers!
If I have the opportunity to post a photo to satisfy, I will do so tomorrow. But no promises.
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Look guys, the drive is comprehensively k*******d, 50p seals, wrong coloured bearings etc etc will not repair the fault. I am not a Python Sales manager - if I was I am sure I wouldn’t have needed to ask for advice here. It is a dig deep replacement regrettably. I am trying to ease the pain by determining if I can do the job myself and not bother a nearby boat yard and, undoubtably, get the cost to over a grand.
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I require the complete unit unfortunately.
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It is a full replacement unfortunately - just one of those things!
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Has anyone experience of replacing a python drive? Mine is damaged.
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Eeyore,
that sums up what I plan to do.
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Well, like you I don’t see the connection (no pun intended) between the engine mounts and the oil pressure gauge reading, but all is good now and, no, I’ve not tried to trace the problem because it doesn’t exist any more :).
Eeyor’s comment is something I need to address as the engine is presently sitting on the same, bottom, level of the mounts. In an idle moment I wondered if there was a clever way of determining on which diagonal I need to tweak the engine mount (rubber). Ie a container of water on the top of the engine and watch the waves? Other than that, I plan to loosen the top nuts, raise the bottom nuts, equally, by enough to release them from the mount then see if there one nut that still has some space to rise a bit more. Then return the settings and adjust that particular nut to even things up.
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All done, new parts fitted and we are underway with a much quieter, vibration free boat AND the oil pressure gauge is reading properly again. Eeyor, thanks for the advice.
This topic is now finished. Thanks to all the folk who offered advice, I am now a little more knowledgeable of the world of narrowboat mechanicals.
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Thanks Tony once again. Looking at the originals it would appear that the set up is such that the ‘supporting nut’ is actually hard against the top of the rubber mount. I will take a photo shortly to show that they really are ‘shot’.
Here are the removed parts:
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Tony,
am I correct, that the nut under the ‘engine foot’ is used to create the vertical adjustment for the engine alignment, thus that nut and its 3 partners carry the mass of the engine.
Oh, I can now appreciate why my photo was of no use whatsoever. It is quite amazing how, having seen the part how much more obvious your explanations have been. I have now learned a little more about my boat.
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‘Spec’ the engineer at Star Line boats insisted on checking - he had another customer with a similar problem last week; after the check he was able to reassure the customer that his issue lay elsewhere. His comment to me ‘it makes a pleasant change to find a customer who’s diagnosis is spot on’. We worked together to remove the old parts - and they do show serious signs of distress.
59 minutes ago, Tracy D'arth said:Have you arranged a mortgage to pay for the part? Some of Barrus' spares are an eyewatering price.
Tracy, I have ‘a few bob’ in reserve and I am sure I can survive with one kidney! Lol ‘Be Over Another Thousand’!
Thank goodness for Royal Air Force pensions!
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All the mounts removed - which took some doing! Unfortunately having to go to EP Barrus, Bicester for replacement parts :(. They will not get here until Thursday late morning as a mate is couriering them to me.
Should have everything back together in a fraction of the time it took to get it apart.
Tony,
sorry for using the wrong terminology, I flew military aircraft for a living! My knowledge of the finer points of narrowboat engine parts is poor but getting better.
Things should be resolved by Thursday.
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One mount out - not even the collapsed one - it is ‘orrible! The boss of the yard will be off to Midland Chandlers (the main base in Nuneaton is only a couple of miles away), to pick up replacements.
Having seen what Spec (the engineer) is having to do and use, the job is definitely not something I have the equipment to deal with. Some of the difficulty is the shouldered bolts used by the original fitters, making undoing them a lengthy task.
In addition, it seems every nut isn’t just tight or even very tight - they have been done up by Arnold Shwarenegar.
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Tony,
the engineer at Star Boats has been over and had a look. One rubber mount has collapsed completely and one is twisted. He is off to get hold of replacements so I am hopeful that things might be resolved no later than tomorrow.
Thank you so much for your help in this matter, it is very much appreciated. Once this issue is resolved I will report it so and declare this thread closed.
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Ah! I get it Tony. The engine is, of course, mounted onto the 2 steel L plates those, in turn, are attached to the boat via the rubber mounts.
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The nuts underneath are nylock with the addition of a lock washer - no movement there.
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Tony,
OK, thanks.1. engine step plate is a chequer plate panel fitted on the top of the engine to allow it to be stepped on if required/
2. no one has touched the vibration mounts.
I will check the tightness of the nuts as you suggest but I have a suspicion that the mount(s) have collapsed.
Thank you very much for your advice, it is very much appreciated.
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Tony,
the mounts are 20 years old. The reason for my concern about their state - I was investigating why my oil pressure warning was on and gauge reading zero, in so doing I found that when I put my weight on the engine ‘step plate’ the readings returned to normal. I realised that there was excessive vibration which can be felt throughout the boat.
Here is a photo of the front starboard mount: -
Tony,
again thank you. I still have to get to a chandlery to obtain the bits! I will send a photo, if I may, for you opinion. However, my revised plan is to cruise the short distance to Star-line boats and see if there is anyone around and, maybe stay over night and see what they can do tomorrow.
Truth to tell, the items have been in since new and I should have changed them after last years cruise - but it completely slipped my mind (no, to be honest I completely forgot!).
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Tony,
thank you. I feel this has fallen outside my capabilities and on-board resources, not to mention that I am nowhere near a chandlers. I am going to take it slow and try Alvecote Marina Services because, being BH Monday, Springwood Haven will be closed.
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Sorry, I did forget to say I have a Python drive! Thanks for the advice thus far guys/gals. I assume there is a need to disconnect the Python from the gear box (remember - there is no such thing as a stupid question! Lol). Just need to determine how
Tracy, love your ‘bottom line tag’.
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Hi,
I’ve a suspicion that one or more of the engine mounts on my BS 45 have reached the end of their life. As I am out cruising, I am wondering if it is feasible to change them a pair at a time, to reduce the likelihood of thing getting out of alignment. Advice, words of wisdom, guidance etc gratefully received - especially from anyone who has done it! Thanks.
Python drive
in Boat Building & Maintenance
Posted
Tony,
I have yet to discover if my Python drive is ‘modern’, it has been in my boat for 20 years! Nevertheless, thank you for the instructions, I don’t believe my file on equipment fitted to my boat has the Python drive information.