OK to notch stringers for clearance?
#1
OK to notch stringers for clearance?
I have an 88 Baja 235 Force, and while the engine is out, I was thinking about extending the notch in the rear stringers a few inches further forward to give me a little bit more room to get to the starter if necessary and the oil filter (using a t-stat sandwich oil cooler adapter). There are already two notches back there that extend all the way to the stringer forward about 8 inches or so - the notches are about two inches deep off the tops. I can't see how extending them forward a little bit could upset the structural integrity of the motor mounts, but I thought I would run that across some of the fiberglass experts. Of course, I will go back and encapsulate the cut area with fiberglass cloth and resin and bilge paint.
I'll post a picture if necessary. I'll be in there working on it this weekend. Thanks.
I'll post a picture if necessary. I'll be in there working on it this weekend. Thanks.
#3
My real concern is less on the starter side (already have the mini Merc starter) and more on the port side for oil filter clearance. I added a thermostatic sandwich oil filter / cooler adapter, and the filter mounds directly to it. Makes changing filter a bit of a pain, but eliminates about 5 feet of restrictive oil cooler lines and fittings. The goal is better oil flow to the engine, and the ability to keep the oil up to proper temp.