This is an interesting topic. A friend and I always have this discussion and we don't have an answer.
I feel that leaving the bedding to set up and then tighten can lead to some problems. But as are the reasons given for doing this, mine are also just conjecture. My thought is that you only want the bedding compound to fill the small spaces that are left after tightening the bolts, any more would be excess. The water tight seal is formed as a result of the bond between the bedding compound and the items being bedded, and the filling of these small spaces. I don't think the water tight seal is solely the result of the bedding compound working as a gasket. If it were, wouldn't we be better off using a rubber gasket? It would certainly be easier and less messy. The bedding compound "never hardens" leaving a soft gasket between the items being bedded. If allowed to dry first then tightened, you will never get the items tightened as tight and motionless as without the bedding compound. The excess would lead to more motion in the joint which would have a tendency to break the bond between the compound and items being bedded and lead to leakage faster. The directions on the tube don't say to do let dry and then tighten, It would seem that if it were a better technique, the manufacturer would recommend it. Does any one have an authoritative answer? ___ 73 de AC6KW <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Jeff Grudin, DVM Web Add: http://www.grudin.net Ocean Animal Clinic / Cat Clinic of Santa Cruz - Santa Cruz, California Montgomery 23 Hull #072 Norcal QRP * QRP-L * ARS * AR Qrp --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.333 / Virus Database: 187 - Release Date: 3/8/2002 _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
