1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

The leaky tarp and bungie cord thing is getting to be a pain, so once i get the deck back in, and dont need the hoist for a while, im considering making a temporary structure out of 2x4 knee wall sections, bolted together, then a pvc hoop style roof, big and tall enough to work around the hull, and on the top decks. I can take it apart after its mostly back together,and painted, then use it as a greenhouse or something. Wind is my main concern, so i need to figure out how to make it substantial, but removable....

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Funny you said greenhouse and wind, my neighbor just got the frames up for his greenhouse today....the tornado sucked up his old one (along with his house). I used one of those collapsing tents last year when I was working on some slate columns. I was just trying to get some shade, wonder if that might work for you? probably never find one the right size, but you never know.

 

[GWPSR]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

I'm using an 10' x 24' ShelterLogic 'garage' with the legs replaced with 10' lengths of PVC pipe to get it high enough to span the boat. The legs sit in 5 gallon pails of gravel for stability. The canvas is secured to the trailer with ratchet straps to keep it from becoming a giant kite. Works great for rain, but would never hold a snow load.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Yea guys, snow load, wind, and hopefully no tornadoes, all issues. The more i think about it, the more I know I need something. I came up with a plan for 16 x 32 on the cheap. I figure at the pace im going, cant afford to lose the winter, and the greenhouse effect should gain me alot of extra work days.

planning and scheming...3/4 x 10' pvc runs just over 2 bux, its the heavy mil poly film that will bite a bit.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Update:

I got a chance to set and glue the stringers to the cabin bulkhead, and the transom. I used PL/screws to lam it to the existing stringer section, then ill fillet and tab it. I cut the existing glass lam away, so its gued wood to wood.



I did the same where the sister boards are on the lower set.



Made some simple jigs to hold the transon ends true.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Then I glued the ends to the transom with resin thickened with 403 for a good bond.





I ran out the 403 but I have some 404 and 405, i mixed the two and got a good cove...I knew I should have ordered some cabosil with my last usc order. Either way, its curing solid.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

I also picked up the ply for the firewall bulkhead.



Started rounding over that center board thing.



And wetted it out.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

You are doing some really nice work there sir!

 

[GWPSR]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Great progress!

The 403 is my favorite so far. I have made some blends with 403 and wood flour or wood flour and chopped fiber, but the plain 403 is the easiest to fillet with. Does the 405 'weep' epoxy as it sets like chopped fiber and wood flour seems to? I don't get any of that with the 403 at all. It just flows nice and stays where I put it.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

You are doing some really nice work there sir!

Thanks Arch, epoxying is boring but ill keep plugging away til its done. Im surprised my camera still works with all the sticky fingerprints on it but so far, so good. I used up most of the thickeners I had, working in the crawl space, to get the tank area done 1st.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Great progress!

The 403 is my favorite so far. I have made some blends with 403 and wood flour or wood flour and chopped fiber, but the plain 403 is the easiest to fillet with. Does the 405 'weep' epoxy as it sets like chopped fiber and wood flour seems to? I don't get any of that with the 403 at all. It just flows nice and stays where I put it.

I like the 403 too, it leaves a bumpier surface that the others, but it thickens up quick, the 404 is granular, and takes a ton to almost thicken.

I didnt use the 405 by itself, but mixed it with the 404 to improve the bonding. The 405 is wood toned and more like a finish fairing compound, but it seems to sag less than the others. I used the blend to fill some big gaps, and it held itself straight up. I havnt tried the 406 cabosil yet.

this is straight 404



I got both the scabbed areas filled, once it sets, i can tab it and close up the access holes forever

This is the 404 and 405 mixed.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Since the weather turned, and im out of some supplies, I decided to get a handle on whats going on in the cabin. It will be my winter getaway, after I build the hoop tent.

The boat was looted while at the marina in drydock. The hatch hardware was all gone, plus the gasket is dryrotted, so I may have to source a replacement.



The main light was also taken.



But they failed to find its twin in the aft sleeper. Ill move this to the main cabin and get something smaller for the sleeper.



The microwave was also taken.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

That sucks, I hate thieves.

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Yea it does, but at least they didnt vandalize it.

I did find a half full raw water holding tank, which is always a nice surprise.




I hope this is antifreeze or blue chemical....but with my luck its probably a "blend" :embarassed:

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Its got a dual system with a manual pumpout and a mascerating pump for over 3 miles out.







still have the key

Heres the seacock for the system, looks servicable.

 

[archbuilder]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

by the way it sounds like you are building a pole barn over the boat, lol!

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

by the way it sounds like you are building a pole barn over the boat, lol!

Ive been known to do such things lol, but more like a big one of these:

 

[Erieboat]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Ok Zool first things first, Thank you for sharing this build the pictures are top shelf. This has uncovered and opened the decks mysterys of my Boat, the one thing that stumped me was the KEY is that for ???? What#%##%## Mercator, in my Boat's head I have the same rubber switch but no KEY ? Is the key for 3 mile out flush, I am so pumped over this build looking foreword day by day as this project move's into the abyss .

 

[zool]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Welcome back Erie, yea, the key is for the auto pump out. The mascerator is just a pump with grinding blades, not unlike a sink garbage disposal. I think it would be useless on lake Erie, being a NDZ (non discharge zone), but works well offshore.

Hey, if you get a chance, can you post the info from the coast guard plate/sticker showing max capacity, hp, weight, ect. Its located next to the shifters on the vertical panel. A picture would even be better, maybe i could get a reproduction made.....mine is worn off.

If you get a chance, that would be really helpful

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

Nice "Green House" Zool!!! Are you planning on Growing Tomatoes????