83 Mustang rebuild (stringers / floor)

Hello to all,

I'm a long time lurker and I want to thank everyone that contributes their time and knowledge on this site. The collective passion for these boats is apparent in this groups workmanship and enthusiasm!

I'm the owner of a 1983 Mustang with a 302. The boat has previously been discussed HERE and HERE.

I am currently in the process of replacing the stringers and floor. At this point I have read and reread the Pumpkin Patch thread, multiple BFN threads and JoeinNY's composite thread. I've also spent way too much time reading the V-Drive 2001 thread! I'm humbled by the footsteps that I will be following... Special thanks to Critter for his detailed US Composites materials list; I have copied it and will adjust quantities for the 'Stang rebuild.

more to follow...

Looking good,I like that cradle you made for the hull.

keep the pics coming it is always interesting to follow these restorations

I just ordered the CPES from Jamestown Dist. I got the 2gal kit. Has anybody had to reorder more than 2gal for a stringer rebuild?

Gary, still have that awesome pan for you!!


John, I ordered the same kit and asked the same question. Pete said it was definitely enough.

Sounds perfect, Gary. I cannot think of a better way to ship that thing.

Cslaten33 wrote: Do you really use 10 gallons of epoxy in a stringer repair??

I used a touch more...maybe 11.5 gallons. That was an '88 BFN.

+1 on the cradle and the 2 gal CPES kit was plenty,even with very liberal application.

are you foaming?, and you get an A-plus for a new damper

I apologize for the lack of timely updates; here we go...

My CPES showed up and I am on my 2nd coat of it. I'm very surprised, a little of that stuff goes a long way. I can see how this stuff really promotes adhesion of the epoxy and it makes the wood look very nice.

My US Composites order showed up. They get a hefty kudos from me! The order was exactly what I asked for with no substitutions or mistakes. They are highly recommended.

At this point I have the hull stripped of all four stringers. I removed all the fiberglass layup that I could before I started grinding. I've had very good luck with the diamond grinding wheel and flapper discs. I picked up a nice 4 1/2" diamond wheel at Harbor Freight for 30bucks. Same for the flapper discs, two and three packs for 6 - 8 bucks.

okay, enough typing... on with the pics

I removed both Secondary stringers first and shaped the new ones. I used the primary stringers as guides. The secondaries didn't require much shaping with the hand-plane.


Here's another view of the Port side secondary.


and another


Here are the old stringers. I was fortunate to get all but the Port secondary out in one piece. They don't look that bad in this pic but trust when I say that there are spots of extreme rot.


Here are a couple of the new stringers being marked. This is simple assuming that you have good templates to follow.




I built this jig before I removed the mains. I leveled the boat and then built a level jig where the engine sits. There a pads that give the exact location of the lag bolts for the engine mounts. It gives me a nice point of reference.


Add a couple of jets and it could be a spa!


Cutting supplies


My 30 year old jigsaw (15 bucks at a pawn shop 15 years ago). I love old power tools. I used this and a circular saw to cut and shape the stringers.


I used the Dremel in the hard to reach areas while removing the old stringers. Those little cutting wheels sure do tear up quick.


Hand planes and Horns


Kinda messy

Chris,
Lookin good!! I like the jig you made to hold position and level.

I'm a big fan of Approved life vests.

Pete,

The only truly critical measure is the engine relationship to the log. I also plan to use the jig for ensuring vertical level on the mains.

Now there is a piece of history!

JohnG wrote: Pete, I didn't mean to sound flip

It wasn't taken that way. I was just rambling on about engine mounts!!!

SO what the hell happened to this thing?