89 18sf Project/rebuild/restore started

[alexh]

Pulled the gas tank hatch this weekend, while the gunnel caps were being worked. Same story, watersoaked core. Ripped out the coring and prepped the surface for new coring which will go in tomorrow evening.

HEAVY


coring:


45* edges were made with foam:


Once I pulled the tank cover, I noticed there was no coffin box for the fuel tank, and the tank they had made BARELY fits through the original opening. Tabs screwed right to stringers. Two bulkheads were installed and since its an original deck, they only glassed the tank side of the bulkhead because that's all they had access to. Ive already pulled one out by hand. Hopefully the screws into the stringers didn't let in a ton of water and they aren't saturated as well - we'll see this weekend. Still need to fill/fair the console and gunnel caps this week/weekend. If I find the time I plan on draining and pulling the tank, pressure testing it, cleaning and covering it in coal tar epoxy if its in good enough shape.

-alex.

[bly]

I have had one of these for a while but for many years could not see paying all that money. For removing old cores it is great. It is like using a small or miniature jack hammer. Not much dust. mostly solid pieces. You do have to be careful you do not cut into the glass of the hatch that the core is attached to. It is a leaned experience that I wish I learned along time ago. I still use a grinder but not near as much.