My uncle was a cook on one of the early nuke subs. His galley had lots of pipes and conduits running through it and occasionally a speck of dirt or grease would be found in a nook or cranny during inspection and he would catch heck. He figured that if he could get some stainless steel sheet metal covers made for the pipes and conduits he could keep the galley clean and neat. He got the ok from his superior to try but was told that it would take forever to get all the red tape and forms done. He went to the sheet metal shop on the base and was told it would be months before they could get to his job etc. He asked if the guys in the shop liked coffee and ham sandwiches. They did. One of his jobs was ordering food for the boat. So on his next order he ordered a few extra hams and 20# cans of coffee. He went to the metal shop with a jeep load of coffee and ham. The next morning there were guys in the galley measuring and looking. A few days later all the troubling pipes were covered in stainless steel with hinged access points. The galley sparkled. the captain came to the galley and asked how he got things done so fast. then said "I don't want to know",
He told another story about a marine diesel engine at one base that was due for a rebuild. It was duly stripped cleaned gauged, measured etc. and everything put back in spec. When the engine was started there was no oil pressure. The engine was torn down again and everything checked. all was where it should be. The engine was re assembled and started. Again no oil pressure. A factory tech from the engine manufacturer was flown in and ordered the engine torn down. He checked the parts and everything was good. The engine was re assembled and started. No oil pressure. The factory rep tapped the oil pressure gage with the handle of a screwdriver and oil pressure was optimal.