Damaged 1974 Mustang 17

Dear Forum,
On Saturday morning a storm at Lake Tahoe damaged my 1974 Mustang 17. I will need a new strut and shaft. Can anyone suggest a reliable vendor for me?
Joe

M17 used a 6a. Barracuda didn’t- something with a larger flange.

M17 used a 40” shaft like the m16/skier/etc, I believe. Barracuda shaft was longer (41”) I thought.

I made a mistake on the year model of my Mustang 17. I said it was a 1974. That was incorrect, it is a 1979 model.
Sorry for any confusion.
Joe

Joe,
The 6A is the strut. How bad is it since they can be straightened?

I found a strut called a 6A6.
It says it's for Correct Craft Mustangs and other older boats.
Could that be the same as the 6A?
Joe

Okay, thank you. You say the 6A6 is too long so you cut it down. Did you do that with a saw, or was it necessary to take it to a machine shop to have it cut down to 5 inches?
Joe

Joe Calcagno wrote: Okay, thank you. You say the 6A6 is too long so you cut it down. Did you do that with a saw, or was it necessary to take it to a machine shop to have it cut down to 5 inches? Joe

Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed.

Okay, that's great.
Thank you for all your help today.
Joe Calcagno

93/70 ccpb wrote: hey joe,went to the parts shed i have a 40 shaft if you need it 75.00 plus shipping,let me know.ill try to post pic later.have not located a 6a or 6a6 strut yet.

Dan,
I have a feeling Joe will want to replace the shaft with a double taper.

Joe Calcagno wrote: I have the double tapered shaft in there right now. Sincerely, Joe Calcagno

Is the one you have a double?

Yes, it's a double taper shaft.
What's happening is that my son is doing the work in Truckee California and I'm here in Soquel bu Santa Cruz, trying to help with parts acquisition.
About nine years ago I changed the shaft to the double taper type but I didn't remember that. I had used the improved double taper then.
He's removing the parts to assess the damage and the information I'm getting is coming in hourly. It's clear that we need a new strut, and the 6A is probably the one I need. I found a 6A6 for sale new but I'm told that it needs to be modified to fit our boat.
Once again, I'm veery pleased to have the opportunity to talk with people at Correct Craft Fan.com.
I'm a Corvette restorer, so I'm out of my league when it comes to boats.
Sincerely,
Joe

I don’t mind at all.
It’s interesting to note that I give technical advice on early Corvettes every day, and now I need help with my Correct Craft boat. If you look at my web site, you will see a link, “Ask Joe a Question”
I have answered two questions already today, and I enjoy doing it.
This forum is wonderful. Today I have learned a lot through the courtesy of your members.
Thank you,
Joe

Joe Calcagno wrote: It's clear that we need a new strut, and the 6A is probably the one I need. I found a 6A6 for sale new but I'm told that it needs to be modified to fit our boat., Joe

Joe,
What were you told needed to be modified on the strut?

ok sorry couldnt help you out,back to the shed they go.

I was told that it needed to be cut shorter. I asked if it needed to be just cut off with a hack saw or did it need to be sent to a machine shop.
He answered:
Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed.
Thanks, Joe

Joe Calcagno wrote: I was told that it needed to be cut shorter. I asked if it needed to be just cut off with a hack saw or did it need to be sent to a machine shop. He answered: Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed. Thanks, Joe

Joe,
I said:

8122pbrainard wrote: Joe, Yes, the 6A6 is the longer version of the 6A. I went through the same issue a couple years ago, bought the 6A6 and cut it down in length to match the original 5". I don't believe the 6A's are available so the 6A6 is the route to go.

8122pbrainard wrote: Joe Calcagno wrote: Okay, thank you. You say the 6A6 is too long so you cut it down. Did you do that with a saw, or was it necessary to take it to a machine shop to have it cut down to 5 inches? Joe Hack saw works. Porta band works. Reciprocating saw works. No machine shop needed.

It's the length through the bore where the cutlass is that I cut. The base is the same.