Reply To: How to’s

[Don]

billw wrote:

I agree about watching some guys put just a dab of grease on the threads before installing them and thinking that’s going to help. Some of my very own “esteemed colleagues” where I work, do this! Yeah, my idea of pre-greasing a bolt is to make sure that when it’s installed, there is no air space left or any room for water to even enter the area. I’m kind of proud of myself when I have to wipe a little grease off the assembled motor. I also wish I could take the time to pre-grease some of our new Mercurys, where the side skirt bolts will be known to get frozen in, in a year or two.. But to do that would be telling the new owner that his motor was, in at least one way, sub-standard; so it doesn’t happen.

I have been having some amazing luck with the small, electric impact guns. I have an 18 volt Milwaukee that backs some stuff right out after I have found that a ratchet is going to snap it off….Your results may vary!!!

Yeah, I am kind of proud of the way I lube engines as well…This has come from years of working on salty dogs. I remember customers complaining that I got their new engines “greasy”, I advised that grease cleans off easily….Torched paint and broken bolts, jammed steering cables, not so much. Always complained to OMC about the lack of lube and fastener prep from the factory….Always got the old “paint won’t adhere to greasy engines” excuse. Looking back, I was very fortunate to work for a boatyard that put up with my stubbornness. I’d like to think that I was a team player in the long run….Not afraid to admit that I probably should have stayed working at that same boatyard, I accomplished much more than pushing warranty forms and dealer agreements around. It was always rewarding seeing everyone enjoying their boats on the weekends, kind of made the late nights during the spring worthwhile…