Damage boat project

Well sounds like I know what I'm doing tonight. Might have to pick up a extra 6 pack. Easy fix, could I chop up some fiberglass and mix that into the expoxy?

I get it taken off tonight and apply the epoxy tonight. I'll try to upload some pics before I call it quits for the night

And Mike, don't forget, we want to hear how you did the strut to log alignment. That's a big gap in your posting and a MAJOR concern.

Like I said. I haven't done the alignment. I just temp installed it.

Working on the shaft alignment, up and down looks good. Engine needs to come left. I loosen the bolt on each side front and back and tried prying with no luck. I tried to take pics to show each side.

Tap the adjuster lockbolt down a bit, I had the same issue. Lube, pry,cuss, pry,cuss.....finally it moves, but way too far!

Great job on the rebuild!

Mike,
I love the can-do attitude, and the fact that you are willing to do the repair correctly.   it speaks a lot to your temperament and personality.    On the motor mounts, I did the same as ROAR,   I had to take mine out, and use a drift to remove the slide pins.   I wire wheeled the outside of the sliders and added a heavy dose of anti-seize to each part when re-assembling.   It's a step that sucks now for sure.

Mike - an easy way to jack the engine (at least the rear) is to put a small jack under the exhaust manifold. I use my trailer scissor jack..

Mike, as you are looking for the perfect sweet spot for your shaft alignment, remember the weight of the shaft will make it sag a little at the engine/tranny connection.
I made a short 2x4 and cut a V into the top that fit my 1"shaft and slid the 2x4 under the shaft and toward the stuffing box till the shaft was supported and turned freely and centered in the log. With the shaft supported like this I adjusted the engine to that natural position. Once done the shaft turns freely, I can touch my prop with one finger and easily turn the prop with it completely assembled to the engine.
I believe they call this position the sweet spot for the shaft.   If you have drag play with your alignment of the shaft till it is straight.
With all that said this assumes your log is straight, some even from the factory are slightly off and to keep your prop shaft aligned to the direction of the boat it needs to be off center in the log. The log and rope seal will allow for a little misalignment but the shaft needs to be located so it spins freely and is in line with the center line of your boat..
I was able to get mine adjusted so there is less than .0015 clearance at the widest gap and I have no vibrations at any RPM.

I should have mentioned to Mike that Pete and several others on this forum with more experience are the reason I was able to align my new shaft correctly. They have the experience we lean on and learn from. You can't buy better advice!

Mike -- your progress looks good, and I think you'll have a great boat soon. Good work. remember that everyone on this site is here to help you and many have done repairs that have involved more work than yours. people on this site are experts.

My two suggestions are to not be offended when you are told to go back a step
if you tell us what you're going to do before you do it, you'll end up saving time, work, and materials ($$). In this case, wd40 is not at all advised; 50/50 acetone/ATF is much better, so if you don't have any luck with WD40, try to mix acetone and AT together and repeat.

Mike,
My concern and I know others above have expressed the same, is the gap in your repair not saying or showing anything about the strut alignment. Your went from some pictures of the bilge repair to the strut bolted up, Bondo smeared around the strut and now you're aligning the engine. The strut alignment is critical so the shaft is centered in the log and happy (turns freely) in the strut cutlass.

i used a cut rubber tube and placed it around the shaft, that helped get it centered. using the feeler gauge top, left, right no go, but the bottom it will slide in. i ran out of time before work to finish it. I also put two washers on the right side of the strut. i have the weekend off so i should be able to get a good amount of work done

Love your next project, great classic.