my day in the barrel

[ScottinAZ]

Well today we took out the squirt, the wife and the ancient Invader. All was going good until the engine started running on one cylinder.... (oh crap, long ways to paddle) pulled out of the channel, popped the cover, and lo and behold, I didnt secure a plug. The drain plug on the lower carb had rattled itself loose, and was residing under my starter, just where I couldnt get to it. Got the boat back to the dock, and I tilted the motor up to get the plug, but no use, I didnt have the tools I needed to remove the air intake to access the plug hole in the carb.

Total time on lake: 1 hr
Total time underway (on own power): 10 minutes
Total time futzing with motor at the lake, on the trailer: 45 minutes
Drive time to lake : 1 hr
Time to repair the motor when home : 5 minutes

Having proper tools: Priceless
Double checking that you tightened the drain screws on the carbs after overhaul : Even more priceless....

 

[david_r]

Re: my day in the barrel

i carry a small tool box in the bilge area with a small socket set and various screw drivers and wrenches.............. i alos carry 2 extra sets of plugs an extra power pack 2 coils (4cyl 115) and lots of zip ties, elec tape, duct tape, fuel line, fule line clamps , fuses, extra fuel connectors, brass fuel line splice, etc...........

ive been broken down before......... well sort of.......... im usually not broken down very long............. i also use one starter/deep cycle batt for starter and one for troller , and cheap jumper cables.

ps make sure you get either a flexible or extendable magnet too ......... i have had bolts, nuts , and washers run from me too.

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: my day in the barrel

I had screwdrivers, but didnt have a 5/16 socket, or wrench with me. I will be getting a tool kit that is "expendable" here soon. Fool me once.........


At least I wasnt the poor bastard next to me on the ramp. He just forgot his plug, and filled it to the gunwales with water......

 

[david_r]

Re: my day in the barrel

I had screwdrivers, but didnt have a 5/16 socket, or wrench with me. I will be getting a tool kit that is "expendable" here soon. Fool me once.........


At least I wasnt the poor bastard next to me on the ramp. He just forgot his plug, and filled it to the gunwales with water......

yes dont buy anything you arent willing to drop over the side.......... i was adjusting the trim bar on my lil '64 18hp.......... dropped the dang thing in 8' of water.... in the winter time. i offered my buddy $100 if he would at least try to find it . he said "man if you give me $1000 i will come up with it, otherwise im not getting in that 42 deg water" ................. its till out there somewhere.

ive also been the poor sucker who left out the plug

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: my day in the barrel

well at least your boat isnt a bathtub right now mine is full of water 2 in fron the top i just put in the new transom and its siting outside in the rain...LOL

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: my day in the barrel

a fishing magnet (no not a type of lure, a strong magnet on a string) is great to have at the dock. Won't pick up stainless or aluminum obviously but good for most dropped tools and things.

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: my day in the barrel

unfortunately the screw is stainless. I didnt want to tilt the motor, for fear of losing the damn thing in the water. At least where it was, it was recoverable... A set of gripper claws is in order I think, but better yet, howzabout I tighten the damn drain screws.

 

[j_martin]

Re: my day in the barrel

unfortunately the screw is stainless. I didnt want to tilt the motor, for fear of losing the damn thing in the water. At least where it was, it was recoverable... A set of gripper claws is in order I think, but better yet, howzabout I tighten the damn drain screws.

The devil's in the details. Brilliant mechanical work, undone by one little detail.

Thanks for the story. I'm sure it'll help you heal.

John

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: my day in the barrel

the real trick here is to learn from OUR mistakes...LOL

 

[ScottinAZ]

Re: my day in the barrel

well, this time, y'all can learn from mine.....

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: my day in the barrel

the only problem with that is i dont learn so wellLOL

 

[Zeeter]

Re: my day in the barrel

under my starter, just where I couldnt get to it. Got the boat back to the dock, and I tilted the motor up to get the plug, but no use,...

Murphy was along---eh?

 

[meals on reelsjello2]

Re: my day in the barrel

id like to slap that murphy right in the cahonas