Yesterday was a long day.  I got the old parts painted for both the prop lock and the flange for the exhaust elbow.  I fiddled around with a few other small projects while those parts dried.

The prop lock went on OK until I head to secure the stainless steel wire that actuates the brake on the prop shaft.  The cable was frayed so badly I couldn’t get it threaded back through the retaining bolt it fastens to.  After cutting my hands up something fierce I finally got it and think it’s back in good working order.

From there I jumped on the new exhaust elbow.  I wrapped the exhaust in heat shield, tefloned the threads, installed the factory gasket on the exhaust manifold, and bolted everything in place.  One I finally got the engine running, that’s another story, I noticed some smoke or steam coming from the engine.  Sure enough, steam.

There are five studs that come off the exhaust manifold.  Where the lower to come through the flange, it leaks.  I have to find some way to seal things up around those threads.  I’ll pick a few of my mechanic friends brains today.

I woke up early and was excited to get to work on the boat this morning.  I haven’t felt that for a little while.  I think I’ve just been wearing myself a little thin managing everything I need to do to get out of here.  There is light, and a passage to Mexico, at the end of the tunnel.

Lee

Lee Winters
Phone: (281) 336-0855
Satellite Phone: 8816-316-59853

Web: www.SailingForSOS.com
Email: Lee.Winters@SailingForSOS.com