Newbie Guide to Stripping a Cooling Deck (VMC-44)

[jholmgren]

Hi All,
Snowed in here in the northeast so I had some time to work on the VMC-44 a bit more.   Last time you may remember I took the cooling unit out and documented the process.  Today I stripped all the components off of it.  I took lots of pictures and scribbled notes and spend some time tonight creating a PDF of the process for anyone interested.   

As I mentioned before - I am not a professional, just a relatively capable guy with a few hand tools.  If I did it, you can.  Please excuse any misnomers or typos and I welcome any comments, questions or corrections!

-Jim

 http://littlebluespitfire.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=10124&g2_GALLERYSID=09a8fb686a3fe6d748ed5a36d7219e6c

[collecture]

What about the ID plate?
j/k

Nice work Jim! We need more of the step by step tutorials. The 44 is relatively simple, but they are all basically the same in design!
Thanks!

[Creighton]

Outstanding step by step. Thanks!
Only items I would add is a quick how to remove the assembly. A short note about clutch screws being an odd critter. If proper tool not at hand or badly rusted can cut a flat-head type screw slot with Dremal tool or file etc...

You are a brave man working in bare feet :-) The dropped screws/tools I don't step on always land pointy end down on my foot.
Creighton

[jholmgren]

What about the ID plate?
j/k

Nice work Jim! We need more of the step by step tutorials. The 44 is relatively simple, but they are all basically the same in design!
Thanks!

Hah... yeah, the ID plate and one of the cable management clips are still on the deck.  The clip is rusted solid so it will get drilled out.  I am going to media blast the base, hoping I can remove some of the over-spray from the ID plate so I figured for the time being I would leave it in place.

[jholmgren]

Outstanding step by step. Thanks!
Only items I would add is a quick how to remove the assembly. A short note about clutch screws being an odd critter. If proper tool not at hand or badly rusted can cut a flat-head type screw slot with Dremal tool or file etc...

You are a brave man working in bare feet :-) The dropped screws/tools I don't step on always land pointy end down on my foot.
Creighton

Great points on the bits and how to remove them.  I got super-lucky on this one and was able to break away all but one, and that was just the tie-down clamp for the main power cable so it didn't have to come out anyway.   I usually make a "random notes" section with some basic tips on how to remove rusty screws and bolts.  I forgot to do that for this one, I will get it updated.  The bare feet belong to my son.  I enlisted his help for about 5-10 minutes while removing the deck.  I wear gloves and shoes and heck I even wear eye protection when using a dremel or angle grinder.

[collecture]

I wear gloves and shoes and heck I even wear eye protection when using a dremel or angle grinder.

You rebel!

[mznb1u]

Jim--outstanding tutorial.

  Tim