Spring means work!!!

I got the exhaust finish up and installed minus the heat wrap. That can wait until it is tested.

I installed the new bilge pump. It was tricky making the 90 degree turn but I solved it with a custom made fitting that fit the different hose sizes. This unit senses the water level and eliminates the old fashioned flip switch.







The Alternator was rebuilt. It stopped working sometime last summer due to the battery switch being moved past the off position while the motor was running. That blew the diodes. The re- builder gave me a complete overhaul with windings, diodes and the rectifier / regulator as well as new bearings. They did a great job. I read up on methods of protecting the unit from a repeat problem. 
I am adding a bypass switch. This will send the charge to Battery 1 when activated. Flick it on then you rotate the battery bank switch as required and then flick the bypass off when done. 
In the bottom right corner you can see a sea strainer. The hose running from the sea cock to the pump was incorrect for below the water line. I have replaced it with heavy duty regulation hose. I refilled the antifreeze in the motor but the level has since dropped as air bleeds out. I removed the name from the stern and will put the new one on soon. I washed all the Sunbrella and will treat it with their 303 treatment this week.
I refinished the wash boards and the steps into the cabin. Onto the wax job...Uggg!

Exhaust work

 I sandblasted and painted the exhaust manifold as well as the valve cover and a few other parts. The color is not a match but I found a good quality high temp gold paint, so I hope it will hold up better than the original paint. You can see the block was painted blue by Kubota and over sprayed gold by Universal. I pulled the alternator and still can't find anyone to test it!




Here you see the test fit of the new exhaust.
Note the soot from the old leak. What a
 dogs dinner that was.

Here the unit is brazed and sandblasted, ready for a coat of high temp gold paint and installation.
I installed it today and everything went well. I have to wrap it in high temp exhaust cloth but will run it first to make sure it is sealed up. I bought a sea strainer and fabricated a bracket for it. That went in today. I found the hose running from the sea cock to the intake pump to be cracked and worn. I'm going to toss it and get another six feet.