[C320-list] 4 tough screws in compass base

[A. R. Gates]

It took a couple of days to remove the 4 screws -- they turned out to be locktighted towards the bottom threads!

Two of the screws came out with a thick screw drive in a large ratchet wrench with plenty of muscle.
The other two heads had to be cut off with a dremel and a small cutoff wheel; then the bolt shafts were heated to red hot and removed with a vice grip; fortunately my neighbor is a retired engineer with lots of tools -- and mechanical knowledge way beyond a retired bean counter.
The good news is that the eleven year old chain was fine and still lubricated with oil and grease.
Now I'll use 30 wgt oil on the chain and teflon grease on the pulleys and linkages.
The Danforth Constellation compass needed fluid added.
This work is part of the preparation for our first cruise to Key West in ten days -- it is about 150 Kts south southwest from here.
Rollie  #182   Burnt Store Marina, FL

-----Original Message-----
>From: "A. R. Gates" <argates2nd at earthlink.net>
>Sent: Apr 6, 2006 9:39 AM
>To: C320-List <C320-List at catalina320.com>
>Subject: Re: [C320-list] compass & 4 tough screws in base
>
>I am told by Edson that I may need to grind the heads off of the 4 SS bolts, lift off the base, and use Liquid Wrench and vice grips to remove the exposed shafts & threads of the screws.
>The new screws are $26 for four of 3.5" = Edson # 817-1 or -3.5 (?); order at 508 995 9711; Ken was very helpful.
>Rollie  #182
>
>-----Original Message-----
>>From: "Richard A. Walker" <dickwalker at att.net>
>>Sent: Apr 5, 2006 5:34 PM
>>To: 'C320-List' <C320-List at catalina320.com>
>>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fw: Leaking Richie compass
>>
>>Get them from EDSON.  http://www.edsonintl.com/
>>
>>On my old C-30 I hade to ream them out, they have new one made of some metal
>>that will not seize, so they say.  The problem as Orlando mentions was the
>>steel against the aluminum.  The new one may be made of "monel".  At any
>>rate they are better but also use the lanicoat or a similar product when you
>>screw them in.
>>
>>Cheers,
>> 
>>Dick Walker
>>740 Olive Ave.
>>Coronado, CA 92118-2136
>>619.435.8986
>>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
>>[mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Scott Thompson
>>Sent: Wednesday, April 05, 2006 1:42 PM
>>To: C320-List
>>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fw: Leaking Richie compass
>>
>>Are these available in marine supply stores or do these need to be 
>>ordered from the factory?  How do I identify what I need?  I'd rather 
>>not disassemble until the new parts are in hand, if possible.
>>
>>Richard A. Walker wrote:
>>> Edson has a new set of screws that "Will not Bind".  I would reinstall
>>them
>>> with a liberal coat of Lanicoat or a similar product.
>>> 
>>> Cheers,
>>>  
>>> Dick Walker
>>> 740 Olive Ave.
>>> Coronado, CA 92118-2136
>>> 619.435.8986
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
>>> [mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Jeff Church
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 10:18 PM
>>> To: A. R. Gates; C320-List
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fw: Leaking Richie compass
>>> 
>>> Rollie,
>>> 
>>> I removed mine last week. All 4 screws were stuck. They would turn very 
>>> slightly and then freeze up solid. I sprayed WD40, tightened the screw
>>back 
>>> down and loosened again. After about 10 cycles of spraying, tightening and
>>
>>> loosening, the screw finally came out, barely. A couple more cycles and
>>the 
>>> screw heads would have been hopelessly stripped.
>>> 
>>> The screws are 2 or 3 inches long and pass through a couple of assemblies 
>>> before they reach a treaded piece. It takes a lot of WD40 (or other lube)
>>to
>>> 
>>> get enough of it to travel all the way down the length of the screw.
>>> 
>>> You might want to try using an impact screwdriver for the loosening part
>>of 
>>> the above process. It will help to avoid stripping the screw heads.
>>> 
>>> Good luck.
>>> 
>>> JeffC
>>> 
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "A. R. Gates" <argates2nd at earthlink.net>
>>> To: "C320-List" <C320-List at catalina320.com>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 10:47 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [C320-list] Fw: Leaking Richie compass
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> I am trying to remove the 4 large screws below this Richie/Danforth
>>compass
>>> 
>>>> to gain access to the steering chain below.  The screws are so tight that
>>
>>>> liquid wrench and hammer tapping plus muscle with a large screwdriver
>>will 
>>>> not make them budge.  Any suggestions?
>>>> Rollie  #182,  1995