1988 Imperial 280sf engine swap and restoration (pics)

[zool]

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

Your an I/O, correct? I don't think they put max HP ratings on I/O's plates.

Nah, I dont think so either..plus, over a certain size, it becomes irrelevant....

 

[zool]

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

Just want to wish the Iboats gang a safe and Happy New Year!!

 

[tpenfield]

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

A very Happy New Year to you. I have enjoyed watching the progress on your boat and storage facility over the past year. :thumb:

 

[Watermann]

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

Happy New Year and good luck with any resolutions!

 

[saginawbayboater]

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

Just want to wish the Iboats gang a safe and Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year Zool!

 

[wellyboy]

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

Happy New Year Zool!

Hi, I just found this thread today. I read the whole thing and was very impressed, nice job ! by the way I owned this very same model and year.It was powered by twin 5.0 mercruisers and if memory serves top end was 53 mph. and she had the most over built hull I ever saw. good luck.

 

[Woodonglass]

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

Happy New Year My Friend!!

 

[zool]

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

Hi, I just found this thread today. I read the whole thing and was very impressed, nice job ! by the way I owned this very same model and year.It was powered by twin 5.0 mercruisers and if memory serves top end was 53 mph. and she had the most over built hull I ever saw. good luck.

Hi wellyboy, thanks and welcome aboard...owners of these appear far ans few between, especially with v8's. 53 is impressive, with the dohc 4's, it wasnt quite as fast, but sipped fuel. I was suprised at the overall lack of rotted wood I found....if they took a little more care in laminating, it would have been good to go.

Thanks and happy new year all

I moved on from the swim platform to the hatch covers, one will be tricky..will post pics in a bit.

 

[zool]

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

Update:

Ok, so what I have now to tackle is the 2 engine hatches and the rear filler hatch or the engine compartment, the two fish box hatches, and tank inspection cover. For the most part, all seem ok except the filler piece, which was butchered by the PO. The plan is to sand off the non skid patern and prep for primer.




This is the one I have to figure out a mold plan, to recreate the gutter which were cut around the flame arresters.





I still have to remove the sound deadening foam, and clean them up. I plan to use an existing section of the gutter to make the mold shape, then bridge it across the missing sections, then lam up the S shape, using pva or some other release method..Ill have to dish out the edges.

 

[zool]

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

This pic shows how the center brace was removed, and an angle brace was rigged (just left of the port side exhaust manifold)...but it must not have been suffcient, so they just cut the drain channel ;(...



This internet pic shows the factory way, with a removable center brace..and the way I will restore it to.

 

[zool]

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

Outside temp 26 deg F
Bubble temp 26 deg F
RH = 93
No sun (no fun)



going to single digits this weekend..and getting 6+- inches of snow tonight..brrrr

 

[GWPSR]

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

going to single digits this weekend..and getting 6+- inches of snow tonight..brrrr

Foot and a half here so far last night and today, and another foot expected by mid-day tomorrow. Low teens during the day and near zero overnight. I think winter might be sticking around for a few weeks.

 

[Trooper82]

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

No sun (no fun)

:grumpy:

:blue:



I was wondering how things were going with this weather moving in...

 

[archbuilder]

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

Looks like you will be busy in the shop.....I'm ready for warm days on the water

 

[Watermann]

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

Ah yes winter busy work inside with the heat on, there are lots of smaller parts that take a ton of time to restore and that's exactly what I'm doing here while the hull naps outside in the cold.

 

[zool]

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

Foot and a half here so far last night and today, and another foot expected by mid-day tomorrow. Low teens during the day and near zero overnight. I think winter might be sticking around for a few weeks.

Good Lord!....we'll have to send a search expidition out for you come spring!...good thing Jersey puts out enough polution to burn most of it up in the sky

 

[zool]

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

Troop, Arch, Watermn..yep, maybe shop time, or couch time!

 

[Watermann]

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

Hey just don't let yer meat loaf. There's enough red threads on here.

 

[zool]

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

Hey just don't let yer meat loaf. There's enough red threads on here.

Yea, its easy to fall in that trap, especially in the frigid winter..but thats usually not me man, my mind is always way ahead of my work..so im always in "catch up mode" so to speak

 

[zool]

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

Update:

Well we're back to this again, my newly charted path to the shop.




So I continued to work on the hatch that needs the cutouts fixed. After I removed what foam I could get off by hand, I gave a leberal coating of goof off (out of 3m adhesive remover)....it worked great.



I scrubbed it down to the gel with a brush.



And all the foam and glue is gone...