Cutting Fiberglas: How?

Chris wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
> to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
> foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
> when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
> hard.
>
> So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
> What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
> do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Chris
>

Any abrasive tool, grinder, dremel, file or hacksaw. Wear a dust
mask. How to get at it sounds like a bigger concern.

Terry K
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Whatever you use, fibreglass will dull the blake really fast.
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 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

"Chris" <Chris_MdR RemoveThis @gmx.net> wrote in message
news:1123436742.186682.252440@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
> to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
> foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
> when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
> hard.
>
> So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
> What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
> do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Chris
>

@#@ I use an sawzal Bosch, Milwakee and others make them.

Rey
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

diamond blade in 4" angle grinder

mask for dust of course.

blow yourself down with air afterwards (leaf blower if no compressed air)

"Chris" <Chris_MdR.DeleteThis@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:1123436742.186682.252440@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
> to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
> foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
> when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
> hard.
>
> So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
> What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
> do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Chris
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Whatever you can make work. Sawzall, jigsaw (carbid grit blades preferred),
Dremel, or 4" grinder might do the job. My favorites are twist drills, hole
saws and the Fein Multi-Master.

"Chris" <Chris_MdR.TakeThisOut@gmx.net> wrote in message
news:1123436742.186682.252440@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Hi,
>
> I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
> to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
> foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
> when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
> hard.
>
> So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
> What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
> do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Chris
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Any of the tools mentioned will work, but I'd try to find out what
caused the problem--unless you're sure this is a design flaw. you may
weaken the engine stringers, or if you may have bad engine mounts as
mentioned above, which may also be affecting your alignment. At any
rate, the one thing I wanted to add is, if you are using a power tool,
esp. if you are grinding, wear a tyvec-type overalls. You may sweat a
bit, but it sure beats the glass-itch. If you get glass itch,
alternate very hot and very cold water in the shower. It won't get rid
of it, but the scalding sensation will make you forget about it for a
spell.

good luck.

mickey
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Before you do any cutting of fiberglass check for the cause.
I do not know what type of boat you have and how old is your engine.
First you I would investigate more and try to minimize the vibration. The
vibration could be caused by all kind of things, engine tuning, mounts, head
casket, valves adjustment, air lock etc. If it does vibrates excessively
while turning the propeller your shaft alignment may be the cause.

"Reynaud" <sjimk DeleteThis @mts.net> wrote in message
news:0eHJe.1064$ps5.36275@news1.mts.net...
>
> "Chris" <Chris_MdR DeleteThis @gmx.net> wrote in message
> news:1123436742.186682.252440@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> > Hi,
> >
> > I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
> > to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
> > foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
> > when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
> > hard.
> >
> > So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
> > What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
> > do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks a lot,
> >
> > Chris
> >
>
> @#@ I use an sawzal Bosch, Milwakee and others make them.
>
> Rey
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

yep...i agree to investagate a bit
further the source of the vibration....
unlikely a "design flaw"......my
initial opinion.....
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Jim Conlin wrote:
> Whatever you can make work. Sawzall, jigsaw (carbid grit blades preferred),
> Dremel, or 4" grinder might do the job. My favorites are twist drills, hole
> saws and the Fein Multi-Master.
>
> "Chris" <Chris_MdR.RemoveThis@gmx.net> wrote in message
> news:1123436742.186682.252440@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
>>Hi,
>>
>> I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
>>to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
>>foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
>>when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
>>hard.
>>
>>So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
>>What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
>>do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.
>>
>>Thanks a lot,
>>
>>Chris
>>

I just enlarged 6 thru-hull 3/16" deep holes with my Dremel tool and a
stone gringer. It was hard to make the bigger holes perfectly round,
but all was hidden by the thru-hull flange.
My niece's husband used to work ar Rosborough boats and when he was at
my house last week, said they would use Milwaukie hole saws for same job.
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Unless you identify what causes the vibration you may be aggravating the
situation by grinding some of the engine foundation. Conversely if you let
the water pump pounding against the foundation you may end up with a bigger
problem failure at the most inopportune moment. What I have used with
success is a hand rasp. By doing it by hand you have a better control on
the amount of material that you remove and much less dust.
If you have the skill for it you may want to use a 3/4" gouge and remove
exactly the amount you need and finish it off with a rasp and sand paper.
The mini grinder require lots of skill and produce lots of dust. Before
using them you may want to practice of a scrap piece of similar material.
After you are satisfy and feel better about the water pump not hitting the
foundation you have to seal the area with resin and paint after. This is
just a band aid solution you have to find the cause of the vibration.

"Don White" <whited.TakeThisOut@ns.sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:hiOJe.71888$Ph4.2240264@ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca...
> Jim Conlin wrote:
> > Whatever you can make work. Sawzall, jigsaw (carbid grit blades
preferred),
> > Dremel, or 4" grinder might do the job. My favorites are twist drills,
hole
> > saws and the Fein Multi-Master.
> >
> > "Chris" <Chris_MdR.TakeThisOut@gmx.net> wrote in message
> > news:1123436742.186682.252440@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> >
> >>Hi,
> >>
> >> I noticed that during idling, my engine vibrates enough
> >>to constantly hit the water pump on the fiberglass engine
> >>foundation. The last two or three big jumps the diesel does
> >>when stopped bang the water pump into the fiberglass really
> >>hard.
> >>
> >>So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
> >>What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
> >>do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.
> >>
> >>Thanks a lot,
> >>
> >>Chris
> >>
>
> I just enlarged 6 thru-hull 3/16" deep holes with my Dremel tool and a
> stone gringer. It was hard to make the bigger holes perfectly round,
> but all was hidden by the thru-hull flange.
> My niece's husband used to work ar Rosborough boats and when he was at
> my house last week, said they would use Milwaukie hole saws for same job.
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Chris wrote:

> So about about half an inch of the engine foundation has to go.
> What is the best tool to cut really solid fiberglass, and how
> do I do this? Any advice is appreciated.

My favorite tool for cutting fiberglass is a Fein Multimaster with a
carbide tile cutting disk. It cuts pretty quickly, it's easy to control,
It's very safe to use, you can hook a vac to it and the carbide cutter
doesn't get dull like steel tools will. The downside is that it's not
cheap, though once you have one, you'll find lots of other uses for it.
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

is that it's not
> > cheap, though once you have one, you'll find lots of other uses for it.
>
> Hell, I just use any saw I have to hand. KISS!
>
> jerelull/BVI/

Thats how I burned up 7 jigsaw blades to cut 2 6x9 holes for speakers. They
literally were hourglass shaped after 5 minutes.
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How? 

Thanks for all the comments so far!

Right now I am guessing that it is a design flaw:
The engine stringers already have pieces cut out to
fit the engine. The boat had the current Yanmar from
day one, but I guess the engine space was designed
for the atomic 4, and poorly adapted to the Yanmar
by cutting out pieces. (The fuel filter had also been
touching the steps, which was corrected by a previous
owner by moving the steps a bit.)

The pump issue is a problem, because the constant banging
on the stringer slowly tilts the pump towards the engine,
releasing tension of the belt: => No cooling water.

I don't think that the engine has been used a lot, so
this problem could have been there unnoticed all the time.
(Two almost new impellers I found support this theory:
No cooling Water => change impeller.
This reestablishes belt tension,
=> problem solved until next time, and
an almost new impeller to keep on the boat.) (*)

What should I look for to determine if something is
wrong other than the engine mounting tolerances?

Here is some more information:

- The gap between the water pump and the engine stringer
is between 1/2" and 1", which seemed too little to me,
hence the idea of cutting off more fiberglass.
What do you say: How much clearance should there be?

- Vibration doesn't seem excessive for a 2 cylinder diesel,
although I am not an expert at judging this.
I saw 4 cylinder car engines shake almost that much,
a five cylinder Mercedes (car) diesel about the same.

- Alignment is not part of the problem, the banging happens
in neutral as well.
Vibration stays the same (or even goes down a bit, I think)
with the propeller engaged. I haven't looked under full load,
just at a bit above idling in the slip.

- The rubber engine mounts seem ok, no visible breakage,
deformation, etc.

Thanks again for all input,

Chris


(*) This brings me to another question:
Where do I get cheaper Yanmar parts?
I paid $36 for the impeller, that seems
an awful lot of money for a tiny piece
of rubber.
It has 'Johnson' imprinted on it. Are
outboard parts cheaper?


mickey wrote:
> Any of the tools mentioned will work, but I'd try to find out what
> caused the problem--unless you're sure this is a design flaw. you may
> weaken the engine stringers, or if you may have bad engine mounts as
> mentioned above, which may also be affecting your alignment. At any
> rate, the one thing I wanted to add is, if you are using a power tool,
> esp. if you are grinding, wear a tyvec-type overalls. You may sweat a
> bit, but it sure beats the glass-itch. If you get glass itch,
> alternate very hot and very cold water in the shower. It won't get rid
> of it, but the scalding sensation will make you forget about it for a
> spell.
>
> good luck.
>
> mickey
 >> Stay informed about: Cutting Fiberglas: How?