Proof, not all Mustangs have rotten stringers.

I have been obsessing over the 70 Mustang I picked up about 2 weeks ago. I have read all of the stringer rebuild posts I have found, and have looked at 6 Mustangs in my quest for the right one, and they all exhibited some degree of stringer rot. I was expecting to find the same on the 70 I just bought and planned to use it for a couple years and then do the stringer job.
I have removed most of the fittings and I sent them to the plating shop. I decided to look for the buried bad news today. I took a small core sample of the foam and found it to be completely dry. Pleased by this I checked the engine mounting lag bolts and they were all very tight. I removed one to examine it for corrosion damage and rotten wood. This is what I found.

And my boat goes 65mph!

And possibly replaced the original lags with longer, prettier ones at some point?

I have seen some boats in pretty good shape and that is one of them but off the top of my head that bolt dont look 42 years old. However I have been wrong before (a couple times this week even)

JoeinNY wrote: And possibly replaced the original lags with longer, prettier ones at some point?

You never know when or where it may be lurking.

DrCC wrote: The PO probably changed lag bolts at the end of every season.

And probably a little longer each year, just so they grab, until it turns into one of those urban legend boats you hear about that end up screwed to the trailer and the (new) owner doesnt know about until he goes to launch it.

Such as...

They aren't all rotted. That bolt does look really good for 41 years old. Here's one I pulled out of the 66 Barracuda last week which looks darn good to me.

Good point Alan! I didn't even notice that. Stupid question, but what is the best kind of tool for a square head?

75 Tique wrote: until it turns into one of those urban legend boats you hear about that end up screwed to the trailer and the (new) owner doesnt know about until he goes to launch it.

Larry, I can vouge for the urban legend. Actually saw it in person. Was at the ramp helping a guy. He could not get his boat off the trailer. Checked for tie down straps, bow straps etc. Could not figure it out until he tells me that he just recently installed new seats...and nailed them right through the floor, hull and onto the trailer. Use long enough nails there Butch?

also john note the washer marks where the old square heads were

81nautique wrote: Bruce notice the square drive head as opposed to the hex head, yours is original John's is not and from here John's looks like it could be stainless. I don't think they used stainless back in 70 because most bolts I've seen come out are about 1/2 the diameter they were when they went in.

I agree that they have been replaced and by the length, the PO was looking for something to grab onto.

I think I have 12 points and they round the corners of the bolts that are hard to break free. 8 points? More tools to buy!

I pretty much agree that none of you have a clue!

Dang, missed being clueless by 13 minutes!

75 Tique wrote: JoeinNY wrote: And possibly replaced the original lags with longer, prettier ones at some point? You never know when or where it may be lurking.

   Hay    I pulled that guy out of one of my separators

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!