Proof, not all Mustangs have rotten stringers.

OK, I admit it, I am having fun busting on you guys too.
In all seriousness I have examined the bolt holes and there is no evidence of epoxy or filler. The thread impressions in the wood are clean and undamaged, with no evidence of epoxy. The wood shows no sign of rotting. I used a small bearing puller to gently scratch the wood threads to be sure that they weren't filled with epoxy and redrilled. I came out with a clean sliver of wood. I will do more exploration, but at this point it looks very good. The foam I core sampled was from the area between the primary and secondary stringers just forward of the exhaust hose, and the area between the secondary stringer and the side of the boat just forward of the gas tank pad. While not the ideal areas, they can be checked easily without removing the floor pan. These areas in my 69 Mustang were totally saturated and would splash if struck or pried. The foam in front of the exhaust hoses is discolored by bilge fluids and dirt, but is dry. I will know more later when I get into it further and core sample the sides of the stringers should I decide to remove the foam. At this point I am tempted to leave the foam in it since it is original and appears good. Here is a photo of one of the bolt holes. It was hard to photograph and tit appears white in the photo, but that is due to the intensity of the light I used to illuminate the hole. It'sreal color is a yellowish brown.
It is good entertainment to throw a few barbs back.

DrCC wrote: Doesn't anyone have square headed Velvet Dipsticks? And dang Gary that 8-point socket is HUGE!!! Measures 2 1/2 inches on my monitor!

I do! but I just use an adjustable on it. I was just playing with the macro setting on my camera per that post from the other day

I guess we'll re use the square heads to keep it original! Gary, no farm boy here, I thought those square heads were left over from the 19th century along with rough cut nails.

Morfoot wrote: 8122pbrainard wrote: BTW, square head lags made of silicon bronze were the standard at one time in quality built boats. They are real hard to find!! I need some for my launch restoration and it's a problem. Even square head hot dip galvanized are hard to find Pete, I think you've taken the "Keep it original" statement up a notch. I think I'd sacrifice a litte original and put in a hex head stainless bolt. .

Tim,
You're cool with the hex heads due to the age of your boat! However, probably not with the stainless.

The square heads were being phased out I'd say in the late 50's. My Atom has squares. A hex head lag is one of the items looked for when judging under ACBS guidlines. Using hex heads will cost a point deduction.