Loose screw fix, HEY BRS what was your fix?

[Zanie]

While doing a search, I found an old thread started by BRS for a loose screw fix.
BRS had a few ideas given to him, but I was wondering what was the final fix.

My 1984 Excalibur has the same problem that BRS's Fountain had:
My bolt holes going into the floor for my bolsters have opened up. I do not have access to the bottom of the floor and an access hole is not an option!!
The floor is solid. the bolt holes are just too big. I used knife thread, threaded inserts last time, but they backed out last time I used I removed the bolsters. Also the threaded inserts were carbon steel and were getting rusty!

Any new ideas in this area? Remember, no access to the back of the floor.

Thanks,
DS

[MrCIG]

Zanie,
Stainless Steel togglers should work. you can get them at boat us I think

Mark

[Lofty]

Zane, I had the same problem with my old fountain. I opened up the holes and plugged them with tight fitting wood dowels and Marine Tex. I made the plus so tight that they had to be pounded in with a mallet. They worked well and have held up.

[Zanie]

Really?
I was thinking of something along those lines.
I was going to use west epoxy.

How big of a dowel did you end up with? How many of your hold down screws are doweled?

My bolsters originally had two screws per side (4 screws per bolster). On the passenger side, 3 of the four were getting wallowed.
I added a third screw on each side in the middle, which is solid.

Thanks!
DS

[Lofty]

Zane,

I have the exact same set up. I had one of my fat-azz friends with his feet up on the bulkhead in and needless to say he ripped out all but the rear screws. The drivers side was fine so I never touched it bit I doweled all of the passenger side. I used 3/8" dowel rod. I cut all my parts and then put them on the lathe and made a very slight taper so that one end measured 1/4" to aid in the install. I drilled the holes out to 1/4" then using a plastic syringe, pumped the Marine Tex into the holes. I put a light layer on each dowel and pounded them in. I would suggest leaving them about 1/8 - 1/4 long and then sand down flush when dry.

Just a strong word of caution.... Your fuel tanks are under that floor! I first drilled very carefully, a very small pilot hole through the floor. I then took a length of piano wire and pushed it through till it hit the tank. Then marked it at the floor. I used a drill stop which I got from KBC and set it on my drill bit to I think about an inch from the depth to the tank. This job will get a whole lot bigger if you poke a hole in your tank!

Have fun! Give me a call or email if you need any help.

Fionn
510.541.8124
fionn@oneilloffshore.com