Apprentice Diesel Engine Mechanic?

Dave is amazing. He has taken the whole engine apart and put it back together again. With hardly any parts left over. And it still works. So I told him I would like to be his apprentice and learn at least enough to troubleshoot if we got in a tough situation and he was disabled. I can sail, and I could make my 2.5 hp outboard go on Fast Lane, but I know very little about diesel engines.

While Soggy Paws was in the yard I got to help him put the transmission back on. The transmission is so heavy we had to lower it into the engine room with a block and tackle, and then swing it into the pit where the transmission goes using a mini block and tackle (called a 'come along').

First, we had to paint the bilge, where the two new (larger) through-hulls had been put in. (Through-hulls compliments of Ron Sheridan; installation of through-hulls compliments of extra-special friend, Tom Service)

(Note: I got demerits on my Diesel Mechanic's Helper evaluation because I got a dirty thumb print in the new bilge).

See shiny new bilge (pre-thumb print), above.

Then we had to hook up the main halyard and swing the transmission from the cockpit down into the engine room area. That thing was so heavy that it took two of us just to move it a couple of feet by hand. And of course we're trying to put it in a very small spot deep in the bowels of the boat...

Once we had it NEAR the engine, we transferred it to the "come-along", which was hanging from a temporary gallows we erected over the engine. See the transmission hanging to the right.

And then we muscled it into place and put the bolts in. It is difficult getting such a heavy thing aligned properly in such and awkward place. By the time we got all finished, my back and knees were killing me. I don't know how Dave does it all the time.

(Above: Me trying to tighten inaccessible engine bolts)