Restoring my MFG

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Restoring my MFG

NICE WORK!!

So am I making a big stink about those corners for nothing? Did you use the form/funnel technique?

Once again, NICE WORK!!

BOB

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Hi Bob,
Now that the pour is done, I realize I "over thought" it. By that I mean, I made it more complicated than it really was. :redface: It was very simple. I poured mine just like Seacast recommended. I did the form and hole method we talked about. But only after I did the rest of it first. I used a piece of aluminum flashing as a "cone" and a wood dowel to push it in. Check the upper ends from way up on the inside. Mine were open and I didn't know it until it started coming out. If I had to make any suggestions, it would be

1.Make sure the original shape of the transom is maintained. i.e. spacers, clamps etc.
2. Use a heavy duty 1/2" electric drill for mixing
3. Allow the better part of a day to do it. Set up, pour,clean up etc.

Get yourself a warm day and go for it.

Ed

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Hi Guys,

When I started this project, my goal was to get my boat as close to original condition as I could. Sure, I've made some concessions. The gauge cluster is one example. However not original, I tried to make it "period correct"
One item I had to tackle sooner or later, was the Helm and steering setup.
The steering had been up-graded by the previous owner to a Teleflex Safe-T rotary set up.
I always thought my boat might have had a drum/cable and pulley system. So, I crawled up under the dash, gunnels and splash-well and found no evidence of such a system. Hummm...
After much research and conversations with experts, I concluded it once had an early teleflex system. Pre (Safe-T) model. This was all well and good, but going back to this system wasn't going to be an option.

So, back to the drawing board. I took a second look at the system I had, and the newer version, the Safe-T II QC. All I needed was a new cable for mine, and it was still available.

Now all I had to do, was to figure out how to use the helm I had and fit an original wheel and bezel to it. Thankfully the original wheel was a 3/4" diameter shaft and would go on nicely. The bezel was another issue. The one I had, was just not going to do! It was way to large, Black plastic with a funky textured finish on it. It's the one on the upper left.

The white one is for the early model and the chrome one, is for the drum/cable set up. As luck would have it, neither one of my choices would fit over the newer mounting bracket.

Now I realize, it's only a bezel here... but I wanted something that would look right. If I didn't have to look at all the time, then maybe I could let it go. After much haggling with myself, I decided to fabricate something that would work. And if I were going to invest the time and energy to make a bracket I was going to use the chrome bezel ( I like shinny things!) Yes, it's not original, but close enough!
[/IMG]

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Here's what I did.... I got some 1/8'' steel plate and cut a round section out of it.

Next, I cut the tabs off the Teleflex bracket.

I then cut a triangle out of the center. It allows the helm bolts to drop in. The triangle matches the bolt pattern on the helm.

Next, was to weld the two together

I then did a test fit with the bracket to the helm and then a fit with the bezel to the bracket.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

After the test fit and some adjusting, I mocked it up in a piece of plywood equal to the thickness of my dash. I added four mounting holes and sprayed it with cold galvanizing.

Next, was to fit the bezel
I had to cut the center section down.

Below, the whole thing comes together.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Here it is all ready to install in my boat.

Pretty cool huh? I do like it!! Hope you do to!

Regards,
Ed

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Nice job. I love fabricated stuff. Manufacturing Dependency Syndrome is not one of your problems I see!

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Mark

Thanks for the kind words. I like to fab things Especially the engineering part of it. I do get frustrated sometimes with the lack of handy people around. Seams like, If they can't buy it, why bother....

Saw a commercial on TV the other day. The guy was selling orange juice or something.... Anyway, he said something like... "Dirty hands lead to clean minds"... Yea I thought, how true!

Regards,
Ed

 

[matt9923]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Wow that looks great! Theirs nothing like a home made piece of fabricated metal. I love making my own stuff. Theirs not much on these boats that needed welding/metal work. Its looking good ed keep posting them pics.
I'm hoping to go for a boat ride tomorrow is the waters up. Caught to 12"-13" browns at the club pond this morning
Matt

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Ed - You continue to knock my socks off! As often as I end up welding, mine are rarely as uniform as that beauty! Was that a TIG?

Also, is that the original steering wheel? As always, TERRIFIC JOB!!

BOB

 

[pduquette]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Hi EdC !!
As you may have guessed from my post , I'm just about at the same place as you (but no narly welding skills) . I like your work . I was planing to use extended bolts . and aluminum spacers , shored up with aluminum brackets and tubing cross braces . My Curtis-Wright steering wheel is more shallow - only about 1" for the bezel , so i think what I'm doing will work too . I'll have to make something to hide the tabs /bolts too . peter

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Restoring my MFG

....Was that a TIG?....

He didn't say...but those look like MIG tracks to me, but with the lack of spatter it probably was TIG.

EdC- Was it?

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Awww..geee, shucks...Bob. Yup it is a Mig. Really ain't nutt'n to it One quick, straight pass... all done! Yea, that's an original wheel. It's what prompted the whole bracket modification thing. I have some more info on the wheel in the Facts and Triva thread.

Regards,
Ed

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Bob Porter wrote.......

"Ed - You continue to knock my socks off! "

Well if you like that......... Then check out what me and my bodyshop friend got done over the weekend. You'll really like these!
I'll let them speak for themselves.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Sea Trials scheduled for the Weekend of May 8Th.... Yipeee!

'nuff said!
Ed

 

[pduquette]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Wow Ed !
Looks great !!! peter.

 

[Landscaping Wiz 808]

Re: Restoring my MFG

WOW!!!

Your shop wouldn't happen to be in Union City, PA would it?

Man, I can't wait to see that Merc resting on the back! Excellent work!!

Did you spray clear coat to get that shine?

BOB

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Holy smokes, that's nice. Makes me want to go paint something. If business doesn't pick up though it won't be this summer. Nice work man. Your steering wheel is in better shape than mine, but I get it. I had to keep mine too when I went teleflex, but I was impatient to get on the water and didn't use the oem chrome cap. But you have inspired me... looks ok with a white cap.

 

[*EdC*]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Thanks Guys,
I appreciate your comments. Bob... Sorry I'm not in PA. Peabody MA is between Boston and Gloucester. Anyway......I did clear coat it. Four coats to be exact. I wasn't planning on it though. It kinda happened. My original plan was just to do the hull and transom. But, after I had that done, I started thinking about the brown trim stripe. I got a good deal on the hull Gelcote, so I pushed my luck, and asked about doing the top side. We still had some tan colored gelcote left so the (now my buddy) body shop guy said " Gimme a hundred bucks and I'll do if for you on a Saturday" How could I refuse!! I finally finished the prep, and off it went to the paint booth.

Meanwhile, I was still thinking about the accent stripe. Thought about tinting some more gelcote. But realized the thickness would bury the non-skid on the bow. I started picking and poking at the brown, and discovered it was originally painted. OK, cool, so that's what I'll do. I was off to get the paint when (my now BEST Buddy) body shop guy calls and sez... "Hey Ed I found some brown left over from a job we did awhile back. I think we can fool with the tint and get it close" Man o' man....God must love me
We let the new gelcote set up for a week or so. I spent the week asking everybody that knew anything about paint, their opinions about putting an automotive paint on my boat. Seems the paint was a polyurethane base and was not a problem on the topside.

Here's the catch... It needed to be clear coated. Hummmmm Now I'm thinkin' can we do the whole thing??. Everyone I spoke with said, Yea man! Go for it.

Well, I cut a deal with my (NOW BESTEST BUDDY)body shop guy. If I did all the prep work, he would do the clear for cost! Had to set up for the brown anyway..... I got to shoot the brown...That was way cool. Tried the clear coat too. But it was out of my league. There is a nack for spraying water and keeping it form running. Now I got one very shiny boat! (I like shiny things)
Maintaining the finish should be a breeze. No more Buffing Gelcoate for many many years.. "I do Like it"


Regards
Ed

 

[matt9923]

Re: Restoring my MFG

Hey Ed wanna come do my boat for me?
Looks awesome I was out on mine all day monday and maybe tomorrow it was a blast.
Matt