the love has just gotten more intense

3 and a half days(!!!) later we finally removed the unit (model M 48) and started taking it apart. Would have been nice if we had some literature on this whole operation because it is kind of tricky. Because of the space considerations we needed a special tool just to remove this baby and the tool I am thinking of has to be made so the installation is much better and more straight forward. My idea of removing the drives was completely different, must add I was just thinking of unbolting and taking things apart. So was John, well now we know.
Talked to Dick at Huckins and if we are lucky he might have the bearings and the gaskets etc. for the drive. Thank God the teeth are not broken or damaged, if they were we'd be in a whole lot of trouble and we can not afford that at this point. Also the the drive on the other side (starboard) also has to come out, I can already tell that it is a lot more roomier over there. The person who built the kitchen was not thinking of servicability at all because he framed 100% over the drives so things had to be cut and could not be removed. For example the water heater is right over where you need the space the most.

Washington DC and V-drive

So both of the v-drives need to be rebuilt but the one on the port side needs to be dealt with right
away. We are hoping that there is nothing wrong with the teeth and the only thing needs to be replaced are the bearings. Talked to the factory and Dick Rogers is again at the helm and helping me with whatever he can with. Blueprints etc. The factory stopped making these so it is very hard to come by with these and I have to tell them to look for one for us just to have as a spare. I also asked them what they do when they do a complete refurbish. Obviously they can not use the same system since the Huckins V-drive is obsolete so what they do is they replace the engines and install a tranny v-drive combo. I really want to see the factory and see what they do over there. Fascinating place and people. Just love the whole idea that they are still in business.