[C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler

[R Airis]

What type of  "off the shelf " Muffler did you use? I would like to have one 
on board
just in case. No leaks so far.  Hull #266.....1995

Bob & Sheila .....Hale Kai 2

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Nolte" <dcnolte at mac.com>
To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2007 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler


> Allan,
>
> I'm curious as to why you are applying heat. Does it make the hose  more 
> pliable in our current moderately cold temps?
>
> It would seem to me that heating the hose would cause it and the  exhaust 
> outlet to expand, thus making the seal tighter and more  difficult to 
> remove the hose.
>
> I have seen guys at a local boatyard use a tool (I'd love to get one) 
> that looks something like an enlarged dentist's pick, which they  slide 
> into the hose end to pry the hose off of fittings. I'll look to  see if I 
> can find anything like that in a catalog.
>
> Are you replacing the muffler or having it serviced? When I bought  Beach 
> House (#4), I inherited a very good mechanic, whose first  recommendation 
> to me was to replace the muffler. The former owners  had sent it back to 
> Catalina several times for repair. The repairs  never worked for very 
> long. Late in my first season with the boat the  muffler went up again. I 
> chucked it and my mechanic put an off the  shelf model in, which has 
> worked fine for more than 3 years. If  you're interested, I'll try to 
> find out the make & model.
>
> Happy Holidays,
>
> David Nolte
> Beach House #4
> Severna Park, MD
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Dec 25, 2007, at 8:18 AM, Allan Field wrote:
>
>> I am in the midst of replacing the Aqua Lift muffler and am looking  for
>> advice from those who have gone before.  Using a hairdryer, I was  able 
>> to
>> get the hose from the engine to the muffler off after a nominal 
>> struggle.
>> The problem is getting the hose from the muffler to the exhaust  outlet 
>> off.
>> There simply is not enough room to get my hand in to pry the thing  off 
>> no
>> matter how much I heat the hose.
>>
>> It seems to me that I have 3 options.  Obviously, I am looking for 
>> either
>> the option that works or the one I have not thought of!
>>
>> 1. Unscrew the muffler from the base, heat up the hose, and try to pry
>> the muffler off the hose by tugging and wiggling the muffler  towards the
>> engine.  I am not sure there is enough room to do this nor am I  sure 
>> that
>> the hose will come forward a few inches with me (or if that even 
>> matters).
>>
>> 2. Working with another person who is applying constant heat to the
>> hose, climb down into the aft locker and try to pull the thing off by
>> pulling aft.  I am not sure I can get the proper leverage from this 
>> position
>> however.
>>
>> 3. Cut the hose off and replace it with a new one.
>>
>> Thanks in advance for any helpful advice.
>>
>> Allan S. Field
>> Sea Shadow - #808
>> Columbia, MD
>>
>>
>
>