1970 Starchief conversion to center console

[BajaRon]

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Sweeeeeeet!!! That looks excellent!!! I will copy that. And yes, it appears there was impact just behind the broken rib....both top and bottom. Good detective work Holmes!!! The 3/8 rivets sounds perfect
Could I plug the massive rivet hole with a stainless steel bolt with washers and 5200?
Thanks to all!!! Baja Ron

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Sweeeeeeet!!! That looks excellent!!! I will copy that. And yes, it appears there was impact just behind the broken rib....both top and bottom. Good detective work Holmes!!! The 3/8 rivets sounds perfect
Could I plug the massive rivet hole with a stainless steel bolt with washers and 5200?
Thanks to all!!! Baja Ron

If that hole is up in the bow above the water line I would probably try jb weld plugged in there and sanded smooth first. If I couldnt get that to work, and it is above the water line a bolt would work, use nylock nut so it wont vibrate loose.

Nice lookin work your doing over there!

 

[Watermann]

Looking at your pics, that hole is in a location that needs to be plugged with a SS machine screw, washer on the inside and a nyloc sealed up with 5200 it will be a permanent repair that could take another impact.

 

[BajaRon]

Thanks folks. Yep, the large hole is below the waterline. Might be a tick to small for a 1/4 x 20 bolt. Maybe a 10/32 SS bolt with washers. I have many more questions, but I will not beat up you guys...until later! Baja Ron

 

[Foxcat]

Watermann, on those ribs did your aluminum pieces have to flex to fit the shape of the hull?

 

[Watermann]

Yeah they did flex but I also used some 2 part marine epoxy to bed them so there would be no voids between the AL stock and the ribs.

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

More progress today. 99% paint and glue removed from the inside

 

[g0nef1sshn]

looking good baja!

 

[jbcurt00]

Nice clean up/out

Time for a leak test

FYI the brown drippy stuff is factory seam sealer. Hope you didnt get too aggressive w its removal.

 

[64osby]

I would drill that hole out to make a nice clean hole. Less chance of a crack or tear in the future.

 

[BajaRon]

Morning everyone, yep, I left the brown drippy stuff alone. In my 3000 hours of reading past threads I heard several times to leave it alone.

And enlarging the hole to make a clean hole sounds like a great idea.

Still lots of staring at the boat, and planning on what to do. Changed my mind several times in the last month. This might be half the fun. Thanks to all, Baja Ron

 

[g0nef1sshn]

Still lots of staring at the boat, and planning on what to do. Changed my mind several times in the last month. This might be half the fun. Thanks to all, Baja Ron

Im still staring at mine thinking of blind ideas. It is more than half the fun. Especially when your caught up on tasks and have to think of the next list of things to do. I think I changed plans and ideas on almost everything I thought I was going to do on mine.

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

Closer...closer...99% paint and glue removed from the inside. 98% paint removed from the gunnels. 100% removed from sides and transom. Next is front hatch area...then a flip and I will tackle the bottom. I have used four gallons of paint remover...in less than stellar conditions. Directions want a temperature between 68 and around 80. Not even close... But the show must go on, and the remover is still working good

I stopped midday and spent an hour recleaning the "vents" in the keel where the ribs let water flow thru. Used a hack saw blade to pull garbage out from under the ribs...lots of old rivets. Then cleaned out from inside the knee brace. Cannot believe the junk I found in there

Maybe two more gallon of paint remover may do it.....along with more Scotch Brite pads. Gunnels are kind of beat-up...not sure what to do with them. I need a high industrial, high saltwater proof, easy to clean finish. Thanks to everyone, Baja Ron

 

[jbcurt00]

The gap at the bottom of the rib, along the keel, is a limber hole.

Bare alumimum needs zinc chromate or self etching primer at a minimum. There are other options of alumimum prep and anoline (sp?) as well.

An oil based enamel (Rustoleum Pro) w hardener added would be a good topsides paint.

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

More progress today, in the rain! Broke out the Simple Green and scrubbed the bilge area. I will still also high pressure wash...maybe tomorrow. Removed all paint off the bow lid. Now 99.9% finished with paint and glue removal on sides, inside and deck...only bottom remains.

Before flipping I need to replace about 40 rivets and patch hole in transom.

 

[Watermann]

That is a whole bunch of work behind you right there! :thumb:

One suggestion is to remove the rub rail channel so you can replace the 5/32 blinds holding the gunnels on. My Chief had AL blinds with rusted out steel mandrels so needless to say they were in desperate need of replacement. There's only about 100 of them under there. :joyous:

 

[BajaRon]

Ok...another question. What to use on the pitting on the inside of the transom? Marine Tex? JB Weld? How is the transom prepared? Thanks!!! Baja Ron

 

[g0nef1sshn]

I cleaned mine up and stripped all paint. Used JB weld bor the bad pitting and cleaned up the holes the best I could with cleaning strength vinegar before applying the JB. Sand the patches smooth then I primed and painted the inside to maybe "help" prevent future pitting. Used that 50/50 vinegar/water mix before priming with self etching primer too.

 

[BajaRon]

No Title

Another good day. Worked on the transom, inside and out. Very pitted. Hope to find some JB Weld and Marine Tex ASAP. Will start my front rib and rivet replacement soon.

Drain hole needs help!

Lots of pitting on the transom ...will copy what has been done here. Baja Ron

 

[g0nef1sshn]

under the knee brace can get pretty nasty also.... I had three leaks under that sucker, 2 from rivets and one pitted hole if I remember right.