[C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler

[R Airis]

A few weeks ago someone said they had installed a  "off the shelf" 
replacement for the aqua lift muffler. Did we ever find out the brand/type?

 Bob .....Hale Kai 2............#266



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Nolte" <dcnolte at mac.com>
To: "C320-List" <c320-list at catalina320.com>
Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Aqua Lift Muffler


> Allan,
>
> Thanks for the info. A friend of mine confirmed that heating is the  way 
> to go - in addition to adding pliability the hose should heat and  expand 
> more than the fitting & should be easier to remove.
>
> I just walked outside, it's 66 degrees, wish I were on the boat right 
> now.
>
> David Nolte
> Beach House #4
> Severna Park, MD
>
>
>
> On Dec 25, 2007, at 7:26 PM, Allan Field wrote:
>
>> David - My son-in-law, who knows about these things, recommended  heat. 
>> The
>> fitting on the forward end of the muffler is probably 3 inches  long.  I 
>> was
>> able to get the hose up 2 inches but then the hose was bent against  the
>> transmission and would not go any further.  So I heated the hose at  the
>> bend, that made the hose more pliable, and I was able to get it  that 
>> last
>> inch while continuing to apply heat at the hose end also.
>>
>> I have already purchased the replacement which in retrospect  probably 
>> was a
>> dumb move.  The current muffler failed in less than 450 engine  hours. 
>> Why
>> would I think that I would get any longer out of a new muffler of  the 
>> same
>> make and model...  Only a fool repeats the same behavior over and over
>> again, expecting a different outcome each time.  Guess we know what  that
>> makes me!  If and when muffler #2 fails, I'll be back on the list 
>> looking
>> for a different option. And this has made me re-think the wisdom of 
>> sending
>> muffler #1 back to Catalina for repair and then keeping as a spare.
>>
>> Allan S. Field
>> Sea Shadow - #808
>> Columbia, MD
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
>> [mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of David Nolte
>> Sent: Tuesday, December 25, 2007 3:26 PM
>> To: C320-List
>> 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
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>