Can anyone identify this cheek block?

[SeanPurdy]

It's on a late 70s Valiant Esprit and I'm assuming is original so most likely a US manufacturer - although the sheave bolt is metric, which was a surprise.

The logo is not one I recognise. Thought it might be Schaefer, given the S, but the internet served up nothing useful.

It's siezed solid and I'd like to find out what else is inside the sheave centre before I start hitting it with a big hammer.

 

[El Borracho]

Cool deflector bar. Never seen that option.

 

[See Level]

Schaefer Marine
Series 7, maybe 8
It'll have a sintered bronze bearing if that the original sheve.

 

[Bump-n-Grind]

It's on a late 70s Valiant Esprit and I'm assuming is original so most likely a US manufacturer - although the sheave bolt is metric, which was a surprise.

The logo is not one I recognise. Thought it might be Schaefer, given the S, but the internet served up nothing useful.

It's siezed solid and I'd like to find out what else is inside the sheave centre before I start hitting it with a big hammer.

View attachment 581196

View attachment 581197

found it's cousin googling "old schaefer cheek block"

 

[See Level]

Technically it's a foot block, probably a
37-55, (Schaefer updates their hardware but mostly uses the same part #)

Here's the current version, only $1550.00 🤨

 

[sierrawhiskeygolf]

found it's cousin googling "old schaefer cheek block"

Same eBay seller (I recognized the yellow bin). Looks like this one below might be the same one without the brace/fairlead on top?

Schaefer Flat Base Cheek Block - Stainless Steel Cheeks 5/8 LINE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Schaefer Flat Base Cheek Block - Stainless Steel Cheeks 5/8 LINE at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

And this one might be identical?

Schaefer Flat Base Single Cheek Block SS 3 1/4 DIAMETER WHEEL 1/2" LINE | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Schaefer Flat Base Single Cheek Block SS 3 1/4 DIAMETER WHEEL 1/2" LINE at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[BFD]

Those sheaves typically had a silicon bronze bushing that is pressed into it. I would remove the aft hex bolt to see if you can tap the sheave out with a block of wood and a hammer

 

[SloopJonB]

Take the whole thing off and disassemble it. Polish all the bits and it should be like new.

 

[longy]

The center bolt (which you have removed) is the only thing holding the sheave in. You should be able to force it out - use a block of wood (or similar) to allow to apply some percussive force.

 

[Orion Jim]

I disassembled mine and replaced the axles and cheeks, one axle had a crack, but hadn’t actually failed. The sheaves on mine are bronze, the axles stainless and the cheeks anodized aluminum. Schaefer still sells the replacement parts. Super Lube is great in this application, no creaking.

 

[SeanPurdy]

Many thanks for all the feedback. Really useful to see a similar item disassembled. I believe the sheave is bronze and cheeks etc all stainless.

Next step is to remove the other bolt that holds the cheek in place and see if the cheek/sheave will tap out. It's a contortionist job to get at the bolts on the inside of the hull, so I'm reluctant to dismantle the whole thing unless I really need to.

Buying new is most certainly not an option!

 

[SeanPurdy]

I ended up dismantling the whole thing, which was A Good Thing because the axle on mine is a 7/8" stainless post welded to the base plate! That sheave was never coming out sideways.

The bushing inside the sheave is cracked and breaking up, so the next job is to find a replacement.

Disassembly was a two hour job ... to remove just five nuts and bolts. Access was from the foot of the quarter berth (comfy) and the lazarette (not comfy) and involved the usual scraped knuckles and newly-invented yoga poses. I lost only one locking washer to the void. I love boats.