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  1. harringtondav

    Need to add trailer brakes

    ...don't recall if mine had adjusters. The actuator was a long lever with the magnet facing the inside of the brake drum. The lever drove the spreading cam on the shoes. I always figured the shoes would be metal on metal before the lever ran out of travel. I sold the boat trailer after 12 yrs of...
  2. harringtondav

    Need to add trailer brakes

    I added electric brakes to my first trailer. Required an under dash controller which hooked up easily on my '99 Durango. ....wires were labeled and accessible, and wired to the seven pin hitch connector. Brake kit included a new backing plates with magnet actuators, shoes and bearing hub/ drum...
  3. harringtondav

    Driveshaft/pinion gear removal issues

    This is a final Hail Mary: If you can find the below tie rod separator, and fit it into your bullet hsg, and drop the pinion/shaft to the bottom of the hsg. The notch would go around the shaft and over the pinion. The pusher lever on the end of the shaft. Don't know if you have the room. The...
  4. harringtondav

    Driveshaft/pinion gear removal issues

    I've never worked on your O/B, but I had a similar problem with my previous Alpha 1 Gen II outdrive with a stuck pinion. I put the lock nut back on with just a few threads engaged to protect the threads, but left clearance with the pinion. I had the perfect long chisel that worked as a wedge. I...
  5. harringtondav

    looks like a new crop of freeze busted I/Os being grown

    Our current VP powered 4.3L I/O is 'half' closed. That's why I chose the VP over Merc 4.5L. Simpler winterization. But it still requires a raw side flush with the pink juice. The VP single point drain appears to be completely drain the raw side. Follow with a two gallon antifreeze flush, final...
  6. harringtondav

    looks like a new crop of freeze busted I/Os being grown

    Main home is in Cedar Falls IA, river house is south of Dubuque IA. Pipes are at least 42" deep. The heavy snow cover helps keep the ground frost level higher. River house plumbing is now bone dry empty, but the well pump check valve keeps the outside supply line full. Rubber supply pipe can...
  7. harringtondav

    looks like a new crop of freeze busted I/Os being grown

    Many Texans own boats. All Texans have water supply lines to their homes, and these lines aren't buried 42" deep like up north. ..Marine shops and plumbers will have a hay day.
  8. harringtondav

    looks like a new crop of freeze busted I/Os being grown

    There is still time to winterize, but not much. Add the time to learn how to do it, and there's less time.
  9. harringtondav

    Tad bit windy today ...

    Our river place is on the upper Mississippi by Dubuque IA. The last 4-5 yrs the river level has been close to 2' below normal through the summer. Many boat ramps and private docks were close to useless. So I don't mind the snow. It will hopefully raise the water back to normal.
  10. harringtondav

    Tad bit windy today ...

    Off topic a bit here. We installed a heat pump at our river house. Works great down to the 24 degree balance point where it can't keep up w/o the electric heat coil kicking on. But when the temp gets in the low 30's, I switch to back up electric heat only. Else the unit spends as much time in...
  11. harringtondav

    Tad bit windy today ...

    My Iowa storm tale: Big spinal surgery today, Jan 10, in Iowa City University Hospital. Plan was to travel down yesterday and take a hotel for the 5:30 am check in. Forecast sent us down late Monday to beat the 15" snowfall. ...first time in a looong time wife and I spent a day alone in a hotel...
  12. harringtondav

    Should I be worried before buying?

    I Googled "2009 SeaSwirl Striper 2605 for sale". Based on only the pictures, it seems the asking price is within range.
  13. harringtondav

    Upper bearing preload

    This spacer (#21 below) is necessary to insure the inner races/cages don't contact nose to nose, and to maintain the length of the assembly. Without it, the splines on the gear yoke will extend past the face of the pinion and the lock nut won't preload anything and the loose assembly will self...
  14. harringtondav

    HELP Throttle and Steering Cable Lengths

    Attwood supplies many OEM steering cables/racks/scrolls. Check their site for measuring instructions, even if you purchase elsewhere. Per @QBhoy the steering cable takes a long route. Throttle and shift cables are more OEM specific, but available aftermarket. Also longer that you'd think. If...
  15. harringtondav

    HELP with trailer length

    Boat trailers are specified by boat weight, beam and length. These specs define the largest, heaviest boat that can safely be hauled on the trailer. Below is a link to Venture's catalogue with the specs for the VATB-6425. It looks like your boat will fit this trailer, but you need to verify. The...
  16. harringtondav

    Silenced .300 Blackout

    Suppressors/silencers are sexy cool. But I'm too old for special ops or being a contract hit man. ...I'll pass. I shoot paper targets and vermin. But this guy's gushing about Japanese steel caught my attention. I'll go with Solingen GE stainless blades. Plain old 1095 carbon steel blades give a...
  17. harringtondav

    Camper enclosure

    I'm considering doing the same for our Regal 1900ESX, mainly for multi day cruises. Two local canvas shops gave me a verbal quote of around $5K ....with a long wait list in front of me. Regal currently has Ameritex/Taylor produce their canvas who will be glad to quote you a replacement. But you...
  18. harringtondav

    Best way to fix this paint loss/rust 2012 F150

    Same as AD in #3 above, except after sanding the rust to a shine, apply Locktite Extend aerosol. Just wipe off any over spray. It only reacts with bare steel/iron. Also you should pull the weatherstrip from the top of the door jamb. I'm certain the rust extends below this. Crud collects above...
  19. harringtondav

    Trailer tongue hinge

    Square steel tubes are very strong, and apparently your 2.5x2.5 tongue is strong enough. But once you cut it, the forces get complicated. I'm with the crowd above that says wrap all sides of both halves with 1/4 steel to rebuild a solid square tube. And wrap means weld the shims and the hinge...
  20. harringtondav

    Co-owning a boat?

    My in laws deeded ownership of their summer cottage and boat to my wife and her six sisters. Over 40 yrs the crowd went through two new boats. A BIL and I did the mechanical maintenance. But after a few years each boat looked like it had been through a D day beach landing. Everyone tried landing...
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