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Officially filed for Chapter 11:
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/bankruptcy-law/west-marine-inc-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-in-delaware

Curious to see what WM looks like when they emerge from this.

That tool does removal and installation.  Easy peasy.  But it only works with that specific style of pulley.

I have some “inside knowledge” of WM and things have been in a spiral for a few years, especially when the ex CEO of Michaels stepped in and tried to run it like them. Some of their approaches were just plain stupid. I’d say the new CEO with better aligned background used this approach to reorg and come back better.

My local West Marine closed down last season. I just came across this post this morning.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DX7fjPsFeHe/?igsh=MWEybzloMTh2cnVucQ==

The cheap Chinese eBay/Amazon parts are a a gamble.  

For a few years the shop used cheap eBay echo/mantis tiller carbs.  I could rebuild the fuel system with new parts (the hoses/fuel grommets/fuel filter that came with the carbs went in the garbage) plus service for about 100 bucks.   Customers loved the price.  

Then the quality dropped.  1 out of every 5 carbs arrived faulty.  The worst ones began giving running issues or leaking fuel from the carb not long after the customer picked up the equipment.   At that point the customers are no longer happy with any price.    Go OEM and prices are 150-175 but the issues disappeared. 

 
We went back to OEM carbs. You only get paid to do it right the first time, being a seasonal industry we really don't have time to do anything a second time. 

Except.... generators. 

The Chinese generators.  The Titans, the power horse, the predators etc etc (we get champion directly from champion) we use the cheap Chinese carbs and knock on wood the only issues I've had were damage plastic choke/throttle parts from shipping.  

I can replace the fuel petcock (I use OEM generac for those), service and new carb along with flushing/cleaning the fuel tank for about 125-175 depending on the size of the generator.   Customers love the price.  All the fuel hoses and fuel filters that come with the eBay carb go in the garbage. 

For your Honda/generac/Briggs/Ryobi generators we stick with OEM carbs.  Same for riding mowers/push mowers/hand held 2 stroke etc.    we've tried many aftermarket carbs for these and there are more issues than not. 





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Changed out the coolant in both mains.  As always, big motors are thirsty.  It's 30 gallons at $40/gallon.  This is why I'm still working half-time at my day job.