Just opened all my boxes. Wow, the hardware looks very high end. Hope the install goes smoothe. Should I heat the old studs I have to remove from the bell housing?

some good penetrating oil and a stud remover, they look like a big socket with 3 rollers inside. If that doesn't work a good pipe wrench will. I have an awesome set of snap-on pliers that work on the same principle as a pipe wrench, those have taken out some studs that nothing else were able to.

I was planning on just double nutting the stud and using a box end with a high tech piece of pipe to increase the leverage.

Mine came out pretty easy with a small pipe wrench

any of you guys have trouble with the hose connecctions. I just read a thread about several members blowing hoses with the hardin kit, something about the fittings not working correctly causing the hose to fail. I am thinking I will just fish the hoses to the helm, mark and cut. Then take to a hydraulic shop to have ends crimped on, hoses flushed them pressure tested. Any of you guys have input on this.

LC

I have done the threaded style fittings on 1.5" 2500psi hydraulic power systems that have held up for decades, but I also had the best tools in the industry to make them. It doesn't cost much to have them done. I will be converting mine to full hydraulic and I will pay to have them done. I found a local guy that supplies a local boat manufacturer and his price for the hoses done was close enough to the piece price that it's the smart way to go.