PSC 40 Head mounting

[ralopata]

The Groco Model K head aboard JUNO (#46) is through-bolted into the sole in the head. Does anyone know if the nuts securing it are captive? They are quite inaccessible -- located beneath the sole where it looks to me like the only way to get at them is to remove panels in the adjacent engine compartment.

I'm about to undertake the periodic rebuilding of the head (every two years or so) and it occurs to me this usually difficult job (because of the tight spaces against the aft wall of the head) would be simpler if I just took the whole thing out to work on it. But I hate the idea of starting to turn those bolts and then hearing the nuts dropping into the bilge! That'd really spoil my day...

Anybody ever pulled their head and found out the answer?

Thanks.

Roger Lopata
JUNO
PSC 40 -- #46
Currently docked in Wickford, RI

[RainDog]

On the 34 (and some other models it appears from previous threads) those are lag bolts. Under the fiberglass is wood and the bolts go through the fiberglass and into the wood. There are no nuts. I would guess it is the same story on the 40.

[cmcpheeters]

On my 1990 37, those bolts actually do have nuts. Getting at them required cutting a small access panel, and then covering the new hole with a small vent. It seems that some boats have aluminum backing plates and the bolts are tapped into it, some have lag bolts, and some are nuts and bolts. On my boat, I could turn the top bolt and it would just spin and spin - the nut wasn't captured.

I cut a 6" by 2" hole, starting about 1" below the base. If you start cutting, you might want to solve the problem of how to cover the hole before you do - I used a plastic vent and they come in various sizes. Also, the hole I cut was on a 37 - I can't vouch for what's behind that panel on a 40...


Craig,
s/v Luckness,
PSC 37, #234.

[quanyin]

I've removed the head a couple of times from QuanYin (PS 40 #33), and it is installed with lag bolts. No problems.
Paul

[ralopata]

I undertook the rebuild today and the head is, indeed, secured with lag bolts.

Thanks for the replies...

Roger Lopata
JUNO
PSC 40 -- #46