New Guts - Part 6

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 14:36

We're gettin' there. After all that cooling water stuff we started to add all the odds and sods that make different parts of the engine and leg work. Next, the hydraulic reservoir that controls the leg tilt was bolted to the platform on the starboard side of the engine box...

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 14:40

Then the engine gearbox oil reservoir was mounted to the right of the trim tab hydraulics. On the right of both is a small blue electrical thing that has something to do with corrosion. It's a Mercruiser anodic control unit - or something like that. I haven't had time yet to read up on it...

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 14:47

Then, to me, an indispensible bit of kit - my autopilot. Yes, I know that it's not what ribbin's all about, but I have a low level span of attention and get bored driving after about 5 minutes.

Fortunately, I have a wife who knows what a c**p driver I am, both in car and boat, and so she does most of it for me. But there are times when she's not there or she needs a rest. This little bute let's me wander around fiddling with other things when it's a straight flat run...

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 14:51

Having bought a 4 inch hole cutter I then grind out a hole in the transom to take that big fat exhaust pipe. It's going to be below water level when we are not moving but I'm told that's OK. A small tickover exhaust pipe gets mounted above it well above the water line....

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 14:54

Finally, the control cable mounting plate is fixed to the transome and we're ready for the engine itself...

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 14:58

Down she comes! I took this snap to show off the much talked-about tie bar that crosses under the crankcase and is attached to the inside of each forward engine mount. The aim of this bit of cast iron is to prevent the case from cracking if the torque of the engine twists the hull...

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 15:05

Neatly in and we fit the rear engine mounts to the back plate witha couple of big ol' bolts. The front mounts are not yet bolted down tight as we have to adjust the engine alignment....

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 15:08

It's at this stage that Corporal Jones grabs the cold steel...

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 15:14

"They don't like it up'em, Captain Mainwaring!"

The alignment tool slides in and is delicately twisted this way and that until it can move in and out smoothly. (I'm getting onto dodgy anological ground here, so it's time to quit. While I'm ahead.)

That's all for now, folks. Hope to fire 'er up on Saturday....

Charles · 06 September 2002, 15:19

Very exciting stuff, Mike. Bet you are going to be the most excited ribster in the world when you fire her up in the water for the first time!

Mike Garside · 06 September 2002, 15:27

Hell's bells, Charles. That was quick. I didn't even have time to get off the forum before you posted.

Yeah, I do look forward to the big moment, but, being the eternal pessimist that I am, I am expecting to be disappointed in the performance.

With all the gubbins I keep adding to that Ribtec hull, not only is she going to have the aerodynamics of, as Alan P so acutely observes, a brick, but she's going to weigh more than a lorry load of 'em.

Hey ho. We'll just have to wait and see. And that will be a while. I'm off up to London on duty for a week from Monday and the launch date is scheduled after that.

Cheers for now.

Julian · 09 September 2002, 11:36

Mike

How did you get on over the weekend. Did you get her fired up. The photos are great. Are there any more.

Mike Garside · 09 September 2002, 14:18

Still not fired up, Julian. Like all these things there are all sorts of odds and sods to do before we are fully ready to go. And I am not a very patient bloke.

I'll post a part 7 with the tail end of the job photos - when we are finally up and running. The final pic will be either one of the wake or one of the Speed Over Ground reading.

Cheers for now....

Viking · 11 September 2002, 21:45

Well done to you and Corporal Jones, the picture and words are great......Shouldn't RIB International have this sort of stuff in it?

cheers

John Kennett · 12 September 2002, 08:41

Mike

I've taken the liberty of moving your reply about RIB International to a new thread.

Seemed a shame for it to get lost in the depths of the gallery!

John

Mike Garside · 12 September 2002, 10:50

As you will, John. You're the Boss on this 'ere site....