Among other “fun” boat maintenance projects I did this weekend while my wife was off with her sisters was rebuilding the head, an Imperial Type 51. Our first season with the boat in 2019, it was working, but the pump return stroke always seemed to push some water back into the bowl. Not much, but it didn’t seem right. I did some research, found the maintenance kit, and bought one. It then sat in a locker in the head, since we didn’t use it much being in a marina, and even when we did, it was never for a #2. A quick freshwater flush and all was well.

I finally figured I had the time, so time to get dirty. It actually wasn’t too bad. There is a little spring that fits under the bowl flap valve, and it seemed weak, but I didn’t think there was a replacement in the kit, which I thought odd. Got it all back together, and wow! Pretty big difference in performance! Still not perfect, though. Gee I wish it had a replacement spring.

Guess what I found when I was putting the rest of the kit into the spares container (I didn’t do the pump yet, as it seemed to be in great shape)? Yup. It was there. So next time I’m aboard, I need to take the bowl off again to install it. Argh.

This made me think, though, that I should really get another kit to have on hand. Sadly, it seems that they are now totally unavailable. Any lines on some old stock lying around?