Proof, not all Mustangs have rotten stringers. |
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john b
Grand Poobah Joined: July-06-2011 Location: lake Sweeny Status: Offline Points: 3238 |
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Posted: December-08-2011 at 6:23pm |
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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. |
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1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox"
If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
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BuffaloBFN
Grand Poobah Joined: June-24-2007 Location: Gainesville,GA Status: Offline Points: 6094 |
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Better quick put it back!
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13512 |
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And my boat goes 65mph!
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john b
Grand Poobah Joined: July-06-2011 Location: lake Sweeny Status: Offline Points: 3238 |
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n interesting footnote to this is that I located and talked to the PO that owned it from 1981-2000. He said that his kids put about 150 hours/year on the boat for quite a few years. I now believe that the rot is not related to use, but to lack of care. He also said that they took very good care of it.
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1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox"
If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
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JoeinNY
Grand Poobah Joined: October-19-2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 5697 |
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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) |
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DrCC
Grand Poobah Joined: April-12-2004 Location: at home Status: Offline Points: 2867 |
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The PO probably changed lag bolts at the end of every season.
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75 Tique
Grand Poobah Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6111 |
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You never know when or where it may be lurking. |
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“So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
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Hollywood
Moderator Group Joined: February-04-2004 Location: Twin Lakes, WI Status: Offline Points: 13512 |
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You guys are great. I'm going to remove my lags, fill the holes with epoxy, and put new ones in when I go to sell it.
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75 Tique
Grand Poobah Joined: August-12-2004 Location: Seven Lakes, NC Status: Offline Points: 6111 |
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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... |
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“So, how was your weekend?” “Well, let me see…sun burn, stiff neck, screwed up back, assorted aches and pains….yup, my weekend was great, thanks for asking.” |
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BuffaloBFN
Grand Poobah Joined: June-24-2007 Location: Gainesville,GA Status: Offline Points: 6094 |
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LMAO |
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7952 |
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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.
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81nautique
Grand Poobah Joined: September-03-2005 Location: Big Rock, Il Status: Offline Points: 5775 |
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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.
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You can’t change the wind but you can adjust your sails
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7952 |
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Good point Alan! I didn't even notice that. Stupid question, but what is the best kind of tool for a square head?
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Waterdog
Grand Poobah Joined: April-27-2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2020 |
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12 point socket ?
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jimsport93
Platinum Member Joined: February-20-2008 Location: Alpharetta Ga Status: Offline Points: 1749 |
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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? |
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peter1234
Grand Poobah Joined: February-03-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2756 |
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I would say those are stainless also and def not orignal, my skylark had pretty solid wood where the motor is and very good to the rear but the front under the seats the wood was almost nonexistent ..I hope yours is better.
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former skylark owner now a formula but I cant let this place go
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peter1234
Grand Poobah Joined: February-03-2008 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2756 |
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also john note the washer marks where the old square heads were
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former skylark owner now a formula but I cant let this place go
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vondy
Platinum Member Joined: November-29-2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Status: Offline Points: 1116 |
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I was amazed at the lack of rot in mine. The bolts were definitely loose and there was a lot of rot at the top of the stringers but they were still securely attached to the hull of the boat. After all those years of wet foam and the P.O. leaving it out in the elements uncovered, I figured it would have just all been mush, but it wasn't.
If the factory job held up that well for 42 years, mine should last forever Hopefully. |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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I agree that they have been replaced and by the length, the PO was looking for something to grab onto. |
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8122pbrainard
Grand Poobah Joined: September-14-2006 Location: Three Lakes Wi. Status: Offline Points: 41040 |
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Actually they make a 8 point for Sq. heads. |
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7952 |
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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!
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Gary S
Grand Poobah Joined: November-30-2006 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 14096 |
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Here you go Bruce,here is what they look like.I snagged a whole set from my father in law's tools. By the way my boat has a square head and a hex head in each motor mount,same length and size and no washers but I know my motor was out before I got it.
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john b
Grand Poobah Joined: July-06-2011 Location: lake Sweeny Status: Offline Points: 3238 |
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I pretty much agree that none of you have a clue!
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1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox"
If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
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john b
Grand Poobah Joined: July-06-2011 Location: lake Sweeny Status: Offline Points: 3238 |
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Looks,very similar to mine. Funny, the same person must have worked on both of my Mustangs since they both have the same length hex head bolts. |
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1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox"
If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
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quinner
Grand Poobah Joined: October-12-2005 Location: Unknown Status: Offline Points: 5828 |
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Dang, missed being clueless by 13 minutes!
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Riley
Grand Poobah Joined: January-19-2004 Location: Portland, ME Status: Offline Points: 7952 |
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Gary, Those are perfect, but they look like they are only useful for square heads? The only square heads I've ever encountered have been on these old boat's engine mounts. I guess they wouldn't be the first very occational use tool I've bought since getting boat crazy.
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connorssons
Platinum Member Joined: January-17-2009 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 1414 |
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connorssons
Platinum Member Joined: January-17-2009 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 1414 |
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DrCC
Grand Poobah Joined: April-12-2004 Location: at home Status: Offline Points: 2867 |
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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! |
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john b
Grand Poobah Joined: July-06-2011 Location: lake Sweeny Status: Offline Points: 3238 |
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Don't worry, your statement is evidence that you didn't miss it at all. |
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1970 Mustang "Theseus' paradox"
If everyone else is doing it, you're too late! |
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