Replacing Schaefer stand up blocks on Typhoon

[mjohn]

Discovered last year that the stand up blocks on my 1979 Ty's 3/4" track were desperately in need of replacement. All I needed was new sheaves, or so I thought.

Bottom line: the sheaves are riveted in place and apparently not designed to be replaced. Then I discovered that replacement would ring in at just under $200 for two new blocks. Guess Schaefer knows a good thing when they have it.

Bottom line: I drilled out the rivets and replaced both sheaves for a total of about $20. It was easy to do and - after seeing the relative flimsiness of the rivet and thru-pin on the original block - believe my replacement is stronger, as well as now user friendly for future replacement. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

Photos of the assembled block (http://www.schnibbitz.com/block_assembled.jpg) and parts (http://www.schnibbitz.com/block_parts.jpg) can be seen at at the URLs shown.

Replacements parts are listed below.

two 1 1/16" diameter sheaves (Schaefer) @ $7.79 ea (West Marine part # 339267)
two clevis pins, OA=13/16", dia=3/16", 1/16" pin hole (had these, didn't have to buy them)
two aluminum "spacers" OD=5/16", ID=.192, length=1/2", (to be placed through the sheaves) Available at http://www.aluminumspacers.com, (item# AS31-10)
two SS washers OD=7/16", ID=3/16 for extra security and tightness on hole side of clevis pin, Available at http://www.mcfeelys.com, (item# 8FK36)
two cotter pins or rings. I used 3/8 rings.

If anyone is in the same boat - so to speak - the items/sizes/etc. may save someone time.

mjohn

[Gary M]

Good Thinking.

Now are you thinking about how to spend the money you saved?

Gary

[mjohn]

Gary,

Money was spent long before it was saved. Remember, we have sailboats.

I liken the savings to drinking diet coke with my Twinkies. A mental offset.

mjohn

[ronkberg]

Nice work mjohn. Wonder if you'd have a clue as to replacing the large spring that makes it a "stand up" block? I have a "lay down" block on my aft deck because the spring has snapped.

Thanks and let's get on with spring and into launch season.

Ron

[mjohn]

Ron,

That's an interesting problem. If nothing else, Schaefer makes us think. Is that a good thing?

This is probably too simplistic, but, since the spring isn't "attached" to anything, do you think it might be possible to put on a new one in exactly the opposite way you took off the remaining portion of the old one? I could see how it would be a challenge, but, given the savings, it would seem a challenge worth taking.

Then again, how much could a spring cost?

Good luck!

Mike