Best practice for strainer wingnuts

[hattieice]

Hey gang.Just looking for some help with the maintenance on my saltwater cooling strainers.I can get them opened and cleaned out but I can’t seem to get a good fit then seal when putting them back which is getting me water in the bilge when running them.Is there a trick to seating them or a proper tool to tighten the wingnuts? Scared to get too forceful with them and have them break. I’m really good at that!Hatteras 40’ DC 1987.

[rustybucket]

Sounds like it might be time for new gaskets. Don't put too much force on them, they strip easy.

[hattieice]

Perfect. Thank you for that. I looked into the strainer parts and saw there were gaskets that I didn’t even see when I opened the lid. So I’ll double check that and get those ordered. Seems like the easiest starting point as well.

[racclarkson@gmail.com]

What he said. You might also be very careful to tighten them evenly and get a seal. If you have to use a tool to get a seal then it's gasket time. Gaskets are easy to make from almost any rubber or cork material of about 1/8" thickness. Always rinse the assembly with freshwater after opening to prevent corrosion. And always leave a bit of grease on the threads for the next time.

[lake of the woods]

What he said. You might also be very careful to tighten them evenly and get a seal. If you have to use a tool to get a seal then it's gasket time. Gaskets are easy to make from almost any rubber or cork material of about 1/8" thickness. Always rinse the assembly with freshwater after opening to prevent corrosion. And always leave a bit of grease on the threads for the next time.

Absolutely Agree with the above comments. I tightened one wingnut too tight and it striped the threads on the finger attachment (expensive and hard to find a replacement).

Also, I bought cork-rubber gasket material by the sheet and placed the round plexiglass cylinder on the gasket material, traced the lines on it, and cut them out with a good pair of scissors (take your time and be careful). I never had a leak and cost a fraction of the premade ones. Eventually I got rid of the cylindrical internal strainers and replaced them with the "Buck-Algonquin rectangular external scoop strainers" (also know as "South Bay Strainers"). You have to buy the ones with stainless steel screens (not the slotted external strainers). There has been a lot posted on this forum about them if you are interested read more.

Mark
Lake of the Woods
1989 40 DC

[rustybucket]

On my old boat I destroyed a gasket one evening right before we were about to leave for a trip. No spares on the boat, no gasket material on hand that was thick/soft enough. I used a silicone hot plate. It was about 3/16 thick and very squishy. Turned out to be the most reliable sea strainer gasket I ever had. Used it for years with no trouble or signs of wear. Always sealed/seated 100% with very little pressure.