T&T: oil change

[Larry N. Brown]

One can see unalloyed, guiltless, pleasure in life but rarely. Imagine a dog
cracking a bone and sucking out the marrow or a cat lapping up cream. With
humans, it always seems different; there's generally a price to pay for the
pleasure elicited. Generally but not always.

Today it was my turn to lick the marrow and lap the cream. For the last month
I've been trying to put paid to my project to install 3 GCF O-1's, one for
each main engine and one for the genset. Built a board for it, structurally
installed it, mounted the filters and then took off for a couple month's
vacation in the spring.

Got back and applied the nose to the grindstone. I had 50 some odd feet of
3/8" braided SS hose and a few assorted fittings and adapters left over from
the yard's installation of my fuel system so my idea was to plumb in the
filters with those JIC -6 fittings and adapters. If you've never installed one
of these reusable fittings, you have a rare opportunity to cut fingers, bust
knuckles and cuss. By experience though, I've discovered that if your lucky,
after you do a dozen or so you can become quite proficient.

The two mains and the genset engine are Yanmars and have a 22mm oil pan drain
plug. Went to the local Yanmar place and I was able to get a reducing bushing,
22mm to 3/8npt. Installed an elbow and a valve on each engine. Over the last
couple weeks I've been assembling the hoses and adapters. I'm now waiting for
3 little pieces to finish the project. I'm close enough now that I decided to
change the oil in each engine today after lunch.

That's where the marrow bone comes in. Each engine has an AN -6 JIC flare
fitting. My reverso oil pump has 4' of the SS braided hose fitted with -6
fittings. Screw the flair to the fitting on the bottom of the engine, flip the
valve, turn on the motor and 10 minutes later the oil pan's dry. Then, put the
plastic wand in gallon containers of 15-40 Shell Rotella and watch the oil
climb up the dipstick. Heady experience.

Lap up the cream? Bout 5 minutes with a paper towel and a handy wipe and the
engine room's spick and span again.

Think this might be my last oil change for quite a while. I'll keep the list
apprised of my longitudinal study.

Regards,

Larry and Teri
M/V Cigano, 47' Prairie Sundeck Cruiser
Lying: 64 Cypress Road
          Covington, LA