Pearson 365 and 367

Hello to all;
I need some advice on the mighty Westerbeke 4-107.  Up until this year, i have had no issues with my trusty Westerbeke other than ground issues on the atarter.  This year I have had some repair carried out on my boat; and one of the items that was noted was a leaking Injector Pump.  I had the Injector pump rebuilt, along with rebuilt injectors.  All other work was electrical.

After the Injector pump and injectors were reinstalled; the mechanic said he ran it to get it up to temp to check for any issues.  He claims that after it ran for an hour; it stalled.  Supposedly, there was coolant in one of the cylinders; and he told me that I blew my head gasket. 

I have already made an appointment with another mechanic; as my trust in this individual was already wavering.

My questions are as follows.  for an engine that had good compression(per the mechanic), and had no running issues, no smoke issues, no low coolant, and other than the leaking injector pump; had not shown any mechanical issues:  What would make the head gasket fail?  (If it did indeed fail; as I am not certain that this mechanic wasn't just trying to get additional work).  If the head gasket did in fact fail; how can I prove to myself without doing additional harm to the engine?  And, if the head gasket did fail; how big of a job is in my future?  If the head gasket did fail; what else should I be concerned about and have checked? 

I appreciate any feedback you can provide.
Thank you,
Jeff

So as a follow up to my Engine Mystery, it appears the bracket has cracked, that hold the starter solenoid in place.  This is also the poitn of ground for the solenoid.  The mechanic was able to attach a jumper to get the engine started; however, I still need to get the bracket welded.  Just an FYI for the next guy...

Jeff

Okay sports fans, here's one for you.  I put new batteries in this weekend, as the old ones were not holding a charge any longer.  After putting the new batteries in, I cranked the engine and ran it for about 5-10 minutes.  Ran well, good water flow, etc.  Did some other work (replaced the backstay chain plates; and was ready to take her out for the afternoon.  Went to start the engine, and alarm bell rang as usual prior to starting; preheated, then hit the start button.  Alarm died, engine would not turn over, and no juice.  Went down below, and checked the connection from the start panel to the starter (three wire harness); and the connection from the gauge panel to the engine(eight wire harness).  Both were connected; but would occasionally get the alarm to ring; but when I hit the start button; nothing!  I know it is a loose wire, but was curious if anyone had any good ideas of where to start?  I was starting it off the house bank (four batteries) so it should have enough juice.

RayNWanda, did you ever have a loose connection problem in the wiring harnesses?

Thanks in advance for your help,
Jeff

We were going to motor back to Freeport via the gulf, but the waves were too  rough for motoring.  We pulled into Port O'Connor to top off the tank, then went via ICW. 

Hey Ray,
Would love copies of the picts.  Well, the Boomer Schooner had a rough time.  We broke a chain plate on the backstay outside of Port O'Connor, and ended our race.  Until the chainplate broke, we were catching up to the pack on Friday in 27-30 knot winds; moving at 7-8 knots.  The old girl was handling the weather very well.  The odd part of the story is that that we lost the chain plate on the heeling side; or Leeward side.  Assuming all things equal; we should have lost the windward side due to the stress??? 

Jeff

Thanks Ray,
Now I feel really good about entering...   

Jeff

Ed,
We purchased "Abracadabra" from RayNWanda.  It is now known as "Boomer Schooner".  We will be sailing in the HMR, so we look forward to seeing you there.  Any tips/lessons learned that you care to share on running the regatta in a Ketch would be appreciated. 

Sincerely,
Jeff Vercher

Is anyone else entering the Harvest Moon Regatta - from Galveston to Corpus Christi?

Jeff Vercher

Safe passage Carl!

For those of you in the Houston, TX area that were planning on going to the Houston Boat Show at Reliant (January 6 - 15).  If you are going to look at anything Sailboat related, you will be disappointed.  There are a few booths for the local Sailing Schools, but no Sailboats.  There were a lot ski boats, jet skis, bass boats, and what I qualify as lake cruisers. 

For those of you who need to renew your Towing; SeaTow is offering 14 months for the price of 12. 

It was a decent show, but if you are only going to look at Sailboat items, I thought I would save yo the trip.


Thanks,

Jeff Vercher

Hey Bill,
This year was the 50th Anniversary.  They had over 100 boats.  It was a blast!

Merry Christmas,
Jeff

Yes, I would have preferred the propane in that position as well.  When they put it in, they did not ask where, and I did not specify.  I have thought about moving the battery box, but wasn't planning on doing anything this soon.  We sailed her in the Kemah Christmas Boat Parade; the family had a blast.  10 kids, 7 adults, and a lot of lights...  We have had her out almost every weekend since we purchased her from you. 

Jeff

Hello Ray,
The belt on the port side broke.  The one going up and down, not left right.  It is accessible from the port locker; but that is where the battery box, ice box compressor, and now the propane locker are located.  It is just too tight for my tall, large body to contort.  It broke, and I lost my Tach, water pump, etc.  Not a big deal; i have someone coming out to fix it (and thanks to you, I have the belts!)  I was just thinking ahead to having greater access to that end of the engine.  I could just imagine having a belt break, or something go awry, and not be able to fix it.  In a worse case scebaqrio, I could pull the propaned tanks out; batteries out, and then have room to work. 

Thanks,
Jeff

Hello fellow Pearson Owners,
After spending my afternoon trying in vain to replace a belt on my Westerbeke; I am considering putting a hatch in the cockpit floor to have access to the front of the engine.  I have seen a few posts in regards to cutting the cockpit in order to get the fuel tank out..., but very little in regards to modification of the cockpit.  For those who have had their engines and tanks out; what structural aspects are contained within the cockpit floor between the pedestal and the mast.  I have a 1976 Pearson.  To be precise, I purchased Abracadabra from RayNWanda. 

Thanks in advance,
Jeff