Porschetuner
Recruit
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2015
- Messages
- 4
My second Capri, Volvo 4 Stern Drive, for $700.00. 500 hours, very good in and out, mechanically excellent. Transom shield bolts pulled thru from wood rot causing leak. The design of a lightly fiberglass encased transom shield mounting of layered plyboard, consists of( 3 )1/2 plus measuring 3'?2', bonded to the fiberglass transom hull structure that is roughly 5/8 thick and no signs of fatigue. After supporting the engine, the drive, transom shield were removed and engine moved forward to rest on stringer to stringer supports for access. Cutting thru the in board fiberglass fascia 3/16 thick exposed the entire wood support which was removed by crosscutting, chiseling, prying the solid wood after removing rot remnants. Tomorrow I finish the exposed remainder with 60 grit on a wheel, purchase pressure treated plywood, resin, fiberglass matt, filler material for joints. I plan on building the insert by assembling 3 pieces, tacking for final fit and trim, drilling an 1/8 inch hole every 3 inches square for a total of 60, to allow resin to bond each panel and link each layer of resin to the next, forming a matrix if you will to add to the integrity of the laminated load bearing member. This will be bonded simultaneously to the rear ,and clamped together using hardware for transom support, ski hooks, and extra fasteners of like diameter where I deem a substantial benefit.After curing the bond, the Matt and resin will be used to cover the support with extra layers, couple of triangular ply braces from hull to transom, for possibly a re power upgrade in the future. The opening will be cut after cure, transom shield ,drive and engine realigned and mounted. A front mount will be fabricated using a Volvo 240 pass side mount frame and rubber, grafted to a modified Cadilac SRX strut tower brace from stringer to stringer to add stability to a questionable engineering enigma. The reason these vessels fail at the transom is simple. The bung hole in the transom extends through roughly 2 3/4" of material. First fiberglass, then 2 5/8 wood. The collar and tube fitted from the outside goes in 2 '', allowing bilge water to wick up the transom from the first day they were ever put in the water. A shame a $3.00 oversight has led to the demise of thousands of these Capri's. I'll post more pics and so for th as the project matures. At this point I have 6 hours and ready to start assembly. I'm not an expert, and although a Porsche tech for many years, comments, tips, and suggestions appreciated, and I'm sure I'm going overboard on the structural aspects, I'd rather err to better than "good enough".
