1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

I'm really not following your line of thought cj, but any and all the Starcrafts I have stripped down had no silicone in them, as far as I know they never used it from the factory. All the SS's I have done will drain from front to back throught the limber slots between the ribs and the hull. I have designed the floor to be a snug fit against the hull sides, then when I cover the floor with vinyl I go up the sides 4-6"s so all water has to run to the back. Then seal the vinyl to the transom with a bead of 4200 so the water will run to the center and into the bilge.

Sorry for not asking clear questions Glen. Here's a picture that I've circled the questionable area in red:



I've already cleaned up the silicone, but both sides of the stringers were siliconed and sealed. The front aluminum brace between the stringers were also siliconed in on both sides. Are the stringers being notched out like that normal?

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

That is a real strange looking set up compared to what I have seen!!. The silicone really makes me think someone has done some modifacations along the line.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

That bulkhead w/ a thru hole wood stringer doesn't look right at all. The patina on that bulkhead doesn't match the stringers, ribs & hull...

Anybody w/ an I/O ever seen a non-wrapped in aluminum motor stringer? Read a few, and as far as I remember, not 1.... Everybody seems to really have to fight to get the wooden stringer (stringer meat, right?) out of those hollow metal motor stringers...

 

[Rainbow hunter]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

I like the 3/4 stuff in bigger boats, 18' and up. The extra beam in these boats begs for a strong non-flex floor that several people can occupy without give. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Shoot cj, I wish I could help here but I'm totally lost:redface:

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Hey cj I will try to see what is under the deck on my 72 SS after work and get back to you later today.

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Thanks guys. I didn't pull the stringers all the way out and just went through them with some new rivets where required. My thoughts are to open up some drainage in between the ribs and forget about it. I've bought some 3/4 floor ply and pink floatation today. I'm curious if the floor is level.... will find out soon enough.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Hey cj, Here are three pics of the front mount on my 72 SS, as you can see it is open to the hull all the way around, It also only has a 2x4 in the center and it does not extend in to the bilge. You can see the flotation foam in front of the ply for the mount.

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Thanks for the pics Glen! I'm moving forward and just putting everything back the way it was. That way, I shouldn't have too much trouble aligning the engine / IO back together.

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

The boat got "pinked" this week as well as the floor installed. I used 3 coats of spar varnish on 3/4" ply and mixed some sand in some Rustoleum deck paint. I've only put 1 coat on so far, but plan on 2.






I also got the consoles, back deck plate, and front storage bunk all sanded and primed.

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

This dash pad is pretty messed up and I would like some suggestions. My thoughts are to use JB weld to fill the mounting holes that have busted out. There is also a crack on the side. Should I use some thin aluminum on the inside with a couple of rivets?

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

I think the consoles and back deck look great. The wood on the front panel was rotten so I couldn't get a pattern off of it. I'm thinking about leaving a through hole on the passenger side for rod storage. I saw it on one of the builds on here. Does anyone remember who did that?????

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild






Made a little progress. I've read where some people have trouble getting the windshields straight again.... me too

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Great progress cj, and looking real good. The windshields can be a real pain to get lined up properly, lots of #$$ involved.

 

[Rainbow hunter]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Cj what did you use for top side paint? That blue your using is pretty much exactly the color I was thinking of for mine and I'm near ready to start the top side.

About lining up the glass--it will be difficult to get right until you have the plywood cut for the consoles. They keep everything square. I believe I have my old ones and would take some pics and measurements of them if it will help.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Great progress CJ8! Looks great!

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Cj what did you use for top side paint? That blue your using is pretty much exactly the color I was thinking of for mine and I'm near ready to start the top side.

About lining up the glass--it will be difficult to get right until you have the plywood cut for the consoles. They keep everything square. I believe I have my old ones and would take some pics and measurements of them if it will help.

The topside paint is Rustoleum Royal Blue. I didn't spend near the time you did on prep and I can't wait to see yours painted up!

The plywood is on the consoles and did help line the windshield up, thanks. It's not perfect and I will probably work on it a little more with some shiming.

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

Great progress CJ8! Looks great!

Thanks JB!

 

[cj8mule]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

The bow area is just about finished. I don't think I'll be building any seat cushions for the bow, but maybe a back rest around the gunnel.






The engine also found it's new home. I'll try to get it all lined up tomorrow. Should be able to make a punch list pretty soon and a splash date if a few weeks.

 

[shadetree_fish]

Re: 1978 SS 18 120 I/O --Rebuild

LOOK'IN AWESOME CJ!!!!!!!!! Keep at man, from these pics I can almost see on the water!