1968 Mustang Resto-mod Jax, FL

I made some time this weekened to work on the Mustang. It turned into a major Charlie Foxtrot!

So first off, I dropped off the trailer to have some metal welded to repair the fenders. Showed them exactly what i wanted, came back, totally wrong, I just left... It was so hot Sunday, I could not even touch the new fenders without a rag to hold them.

I got all that done and loaded up to head to Black Creek to set the packing on the drive shaft. It started out very peaceful, I hit the boat ramp about 5:30 pm, hoping most of the crowds would have cleared.




I was by myself and needed the small bit of beach next to the ramp to tighten the packing. As soon as as I backed onto the ramp, a boat zoomed up and took that spot.

So after pulling back out and a bit of a wait, I got the boat on the beach and did my work. Right next to the ramp 2 local marine patrol were hanging in there boats and writing speeding tickets one after another. I got one of there attention and told them I was working on the boat. I had no floor or Doghouse and the navigation lights are off at the powdercoaters. They said just be careful and get back before sundown.

So I idled out of the wake zone and went about 300yds on a plane and under a bridge. As soon as I clear the bridge I hear WHOOP WHOOP and marine patrol is signaling me to pull over. So I idle up to where he has 3 boats around him. Turn off the motor and float. I start getting a little close to another boat and start the engine to back up. The brand new ignition relay sticks and I have to jump back and bang on the relay to get it to stop. Then I jump over the front window and push off the other boat I am about to crash into, whew.

Marine Patrol lectures me about no wake when passing him while he has someone pulled over. I was doing the best I could just to keep this old girl running! I ran a little more on a plane and headed back to the ramp to check the packing.

So on the beach there is a 26 ft Sea Ray with the ladder down and three kids playing in the water next to it, with the engine idling. On the other side is a guy and 2 kids fishing! I idled around for 20 or 30 minutes and now the enginge starts stalling out when I put it in gear and the starter sticks 2 more times. I had enough and paddled in where the guy was fishing. He was nice and we got talking about the Ford motor.

The Sea Ray finally left and I managed to drag the boat onto the trailer by myself. Drive on or no drive on I am putting a winch on that thing this weekend.

So I got all packed up and the boat was sitting pretty crooked on the trailer. I backed it back down the ramp and let it settle a bit better. I pulled out and the trailer bounced. I hear a loud bang and somebody yelling it came off! I stopped and the boat was about halfway down the trailer and the new Wal Mart hook I used was straight!



I managed to get the boat back on the trailer and Mcguyver a hook. Made it home fine after that.

Whew, guess it was still better than a day at work.

Wow, I feel for you. You must be a man with patience I would probably been arrested or worse!

wataugasn84 wrote: Wow, I feel for you. You must be a man with patience I would probably been arrested or worse!

x2

woah

ST79 wrote: Here was on the way to my maiden vogue after new stringers and regelcoating my boat did not make it out of the drive way. Talk about a sick feeling

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..... My Eyes!


That brings back nightmares of when mine slid off the trailer onto the ramp a few years ago. Luckily for me the boat was half in the water and was able to push her back in the water liked a beached whale.

Bent rudder, prop and tracking fin was the result.

NEVER, EVER, EVER NEVER spray the bunks with silicon spray.

I once passed a scene where a pickup pulling a master craft had been in an accident. The boat had jumped the bow cradle on the trailer and was sitting with the nose through the rear window and the bulk of the boat in the bed of the truck. Made me appreciate the Correct Craft trailer bow stops. Years before a camera phone so no pictures, unfortunately.

yea they kinda grow on you

Small update.

After deciding there were just too many little problems with the Mustang to run it it this year, I have started toward the restoration process. The first step was to have a place to work on the boat.

After 3 days of work and 127 bags of concrete, I am much closer to that goal!

Here is a pic of the boats new home. A few more tarps for sides and I should be good to go.

Hussler wrote: What powerplant is in the 68?

Most likely would be a Interceptor SBF 289.

Well the engine cover is just about done, just needs a little more compounding.

On to the boat! I have pulled most of the hardware. The gas tank, gauges, carpet and moving on to engine disassembly.

Here is where I left it this evening.

Any ideas where I should send my velvet drive transmission for rebuild?

Started Diggin' H'mm I hit water...

Engine is out and at the rebuilder. Transmission also. Shaft is straight. Now comes some itchy, dirty work.

The floor pan was beyond help. Had many cracks, chips, repairs, screwholes. This boat lived in FL and must have seen many long hard seasons. It's tired.

Im going to cut out the layer of glass over the foam and remove all the foam.

Going to cut out secondary stringers. Then grind every square inch of glass. I will cut the top glass over primary stringers, remove wood and repair any damage to fiberglass channels.

The stringers will be poured with Seacast. Then they will be tabbed in with 2 layers of 1708 biax.   All other wood will be replaced with I think it's called duracore. A dense black foam between two layers of fiberglass board. Then sides and any exposed hull will get a layer of 1708.

Battery holder is going to move to forward center.

That's as far ahead as I can think right now.