Semi-Restoration parts for 1970 Chrysler Charger

[eaglek96]

Hi,

I've been a regular reader of this forum for many years. I've read a lot of good advice and am hoping to get some more.

I've been the owner of a 1970 Chrysler 151 for about 15 years. It was given to me by my uncle when I was in high school. It was in rough shape at the time, with a rotted transom, but it ran nicely with the 85HP chrysler charger engine on the back. My father and I rebuilt the transom about 10 years ago and had a couple happy years with the boat. It drove very smooth, and was very fast.

Fast forward a few years, and the boat ended up sitting uncovered in my yard after I bought my house. Unfortunately it filled with water and froze up. It ruined the transom, and completely waterlogged the foam. Over the last couple months I have replaced the floor, all the foam, and the transom. Now I'm looking to get the boat in "original-like" condition, without going crazy or super expensive.

The first thing I am looking to do is replace the rub rail insert. The one that is in there is hard, and somehow, 1 foot too short on one side. I have to take the insert out to repair a dent in 1-foot of the aluminum. I'd like to replace the whole insert if possible, but I can't find anywhere on line that has anything like it. I have found some similar (Taco v12-4144), but it's about 1/4 inch too tall. I'm basically looking for that style, but 1" tall rather than 1 3/16. Does anyone know where I could possibly find something like that?

I'm also looking for 4 feet of the style of rubrail that is on the boat, since the two short pieces on the transom are missing. Does anyone know of a place that has salvaged junk like that?

The pics below are a few years old. I will try to post a picture of the new transom and a close-up of the rail later tonight.

Thanks

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Semi-Restoration parts for 1970 Chrysler Charger

That stuff is usually pretty standard however, go over to The Chrysler Crew and ask there.

A few comments about your hull: The 151 does not refer to length, but (interior space)cubic feet. The bottom was foam filled and you need to check to see if the foam has absorbed water. The hull itself was well made and rode like a much larger boat. The bow light was unique and no other manufacturer has used one like that.

If you don't know the year, your engine is between 1979 and 1984. It is the one piece lower unit.

 

[eaglek96]

Re: Semi-Restoration parts for 1970 Chrysler Charger

Thanks Frank,

I have been on the chrysler crew site. I will email the guys who run the site to see what they say.

The foam in the boat has all been dug out and replaced with 4lb pourable urethane foam. It's solid as a rock. After weighing the foam I took out when I took it to the dump, it weighed just over 500 lbs. I look forward to the boat being much lighter now, and maybe even faster.

The Bow light has been broken for some time, and I hope to get some plexiglass and make some new lenses. I think it would make the boat look really cool.

As far as the engine goes, it seized up from sitting over the last 6 years. I have acquired a 70 HP evinrude that will hopefully push the hull pretty well. I think the hull is rated to 90HP, so I may be a little on the low end, but still safe.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Semi-Restoration parts for 1970 Chrysler Charger

check with wefcorubber.com for the rub rail insert.

woosterken

 

[eaglek96]

Re: Semi-Restoration parts for 1970 Chrysler Charger

Awesome. It looks like they have exactly the profile I need. I just need to double check the boat when I get home today to make sure. I have an email in to their sales dept now. I'll even check to see if they have a gasket that will fit around the new plexiglass for the windshield I am making.