87 SS180 First Rebuild

[astor]

Got some new wheels to replace the rusty painted wheels, and finished installing the front bow seating,
And I've got an awesome neighbor that refinished the old teak for me

 

[BWR1953]

Very nice!

That old Merc looks great! :joyous:

 

[classiccat]

Real Snazzy Astor! +1...that big Merc looks AWESOME! :hail:

 

[Watermann]

Oh yeah that old black max does look new again :thumb:

Nothing makes a trailer look new again like a new set of alloy wheels and tires.

 

[DirtyHarry83]

Very Nice! It looks really good.

 

[discochris]

Excellent job. The boat looks beautiful!

 

[astor]

Thanks guys
trying to wrap this 6 year project up in the next few weeks
getting close to a splash with her
put new water pump in the mercury but the old one looked like new
and had to get a new priming bulb
but after a few puffs and chuckles the engine came alive again :clap2:

 

[astor]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn8nIxOiO4Y&feature=share

 

[Watermann]

The old smoker sounds pretty healthy :thumb:

 

[astor]

she's really smokey, I fogged all the cylinders and carbs before I put it in storage. I wasn't sure how to eliminate all the air bubbles in the oil injection system, so I added oil to the gas as well to ensure she stayed lubed. But the old engine sounds awesome.
The first startup is always a great feeling when it goes well:joyous:

 

[astor]

Mounted the swim platform today, and finished the mounting the bow upholstry. Decided to reuse the seat cushions after a good cleaning- at least for now. IAlso installed a transom saver.
Hoping to splash this week..

 

[Candutch]

Looking really good astor, I love that swim platform. Unbelievable how polished that transom is, it looks like you mounted the platform on a mirror.
Looking forward to the splash.

 

[astor]

Thanks Candutch, appreciate the comments, A friend of mine helped me with refinishing the teak, he used starbrite cleaner and teak bleach, then put 4 on coats of Sikkens. It really made the 31 year old teak look like new.

Next piece of teak I do I want to try a product called Waterlox. I used it on a project with curly maple that really turned out amazing

 

[Fizzlesticks]

Hard to believe that's the same boat, nice job!!! Makes you wonder why on EARTH someone would replace a floor by putting one OVER the old messed up one. Sheeeesh.

 

[Watermann]

Oh so close, nice work!

 

[astor]

Splashed!

 

[astor]

 

[BWR1953]

WOOHOO!! Congratulations!! :eagerness: :target:

 

[Watermann]

Oh yeah Starcraft on the water! :clap2:

She looks great, sure hope you got some video for us too

 

[classiccat]

Congratulations Astor! Top notch work top-to-bottom man...well worth the wait!

+1 on the video...

I guess easier said than done b/c i bet you have to hold on with both hands when that thing is SCREAMING at WOT!