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1979 24 pantera se restoration/class 6 build
Bought this 1979 24 pantera last year 454 trs boat. Bought it sight unseen shipped it from washington state to NJ. Turned out the 454 was locked up so i tore it out and threw an LS in it. Kicked cam bearings out of the first stock 6.0 then threw a 700hp blower motor in it kicked the cam bearings out of that one too (needed a bigger sump) so i decided to tear into it and bravo swap it. Well once i cut into the transom there was no turning back and it has spiraled into building a class 6 boat lol theres a ton of work to be done but I am determined to race it this year. Figured i would post the progress on here for anyone interested
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https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a725e45bb.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8026fcd98c.png https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...05ac1aafed.png Interior was decent https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2c4f8f84d8.png The old 454 boat anchor |
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Pulled the 454 out inspected stringers/transom with a hammer and meter was surprisingly not rotted (little wet on meter but not in the red) https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1fe9c306a.jpeg Sanded engine room down painted with some bilgecoat. I remember doing this thinking man this is alot of work HA! https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3bc7ba898.jpeg Mocked up an ls in it with some imco powerflows https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0f333eaa3.jpeg Wet sanded it to see how it would come up. Hull bottom was all nicked up with gelcoat failing knew that id have to recoat it but hullsides came up good. |
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Drilled new exhaust holes for the LS https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...153410ca6.jpeg Filled in the old exhaust holes and painted the transom outside in 100 degree weather. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...03404b38b.jpeg Finally got it running and in the water to tune it. With the bone stock LS with a cam we saw 60 out of it running like complete crap up top. Then it kicked the bearings out https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4571ea92c.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2ebe3d1a9.jpeg At this point i bought my 28 and the 24 got sidelined for a bit |
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Ran the 28 all summer and labor day we blew the drive apart. Full send snout blown apart and all. So then it was back to the 24 while we waited for the imco scx. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9f6ff947e.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...11958dcb1.jpeg Decided to pull the lsa blower motor out of my c10 and show up to the boat ramp the next weekend and not tell my friends what was in the boat. They were all very surprised lol https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...63ebbee55.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5eb2cff8a.jpeg Blew the cam bearings out of the lsa set up but the boat never saw wide open throttle but was scary fast. So decided to strip it down and see what i could do with the hill https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5346d1ff4.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...abdb02945.jpeg The original plan was to step around the hole and put some wood in and cut for a bravo keep it simple but i decided to rip it all out and good thing i did. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0e22fe422.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fa09f1107.jpeg The outsides of the transom definetely had moisture at some point |
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Cut stringers back to get new wood in. Theyre surpisingly really dry. Cut the battery box out also. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...468889860.jpeg Started ripping the cabin apart to add to the dumpster before putting it inside https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8fae5a777.jpeg All torn out https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...775f62a28.jpeg Windshield was removed. Cant have glass to race so were going to a fiberglass fairing. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8dd973cfa.jpeg Cutting the backseat out to get the tank removed https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...13b3ef796.jpeg Tank pulled. Never leaked but glad i did it because it was realllll close to leaking https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b5d221ae7.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...71e45db12.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ddb48108d.jpeg Sanded down and prepped for new wood https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3371752b9.jpeg Used 2 3/4” marine ply pieces and sandwiched them together with CSM https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f2d0a2ed1.jpeg Doug templating the transom wood. At this point we knew there was no turning back https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fe75501b3.jpeg New wood installed |
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https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c532ef3db.jpeg Transom and stringers in and glassed on the inside. 3 layers of 1708 with tabbing and ve resin. Definitely a learning curve i have never done any glass work before let alone cut a boat apart this far. This was january goal is to have it ready in may/june. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...6b25ba66d.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...34ea8b49a.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...be450e299.jpeg Transom holes and side vents/ stern light filled and faired got her pretty damn flat with no filler so skim coated it after this with some 3m marine filler. https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fa62f8fe8.jpeg |
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My wood working skills arent the greatest so we phoned a friend and got the trim king himself Nick out here to make this killer windscreen. Ton of compound angles and he knocked it out perfect. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b415294b1.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...72530deac.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cafec02fa.jpeg Changes the whole look of this boat! https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d18b4980e.jpeg Cutting cabin berth floor out to add bulkheads and a ballast tank https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f228b18e5.jpeg Bulkhead templated https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...187bf1e04.jpeg Decided to fill the deck hatch in love the look of a clean deck and the old hatch was a bulky ugly mess. Used some balsa to get the shape. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...44d9cb3b0.jpeg All glassed in time to fair it out https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c42afe870.jpeg Screwed a peice of thin plywood up underneath and wet stuck some 1708 to get it to form to the shape. Worked really well https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c26feb918.jpeg Alot of grinding to prep the windshield install. I decided to glass it to the deck which i know can cause cracks in future but it will be super strong. Bolted it and stuck it with some thickened resin and then started to glass it up |
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Used west systems 407 fairing compound on it wanted to try something other than 3m since its a bear to sand that 3m filler. West systems takes alot longer to set up but sands and lays really nice. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...52e29d1fe.jpeg Bonded down with thickened resin https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...4bc85b1cd.jpeg Cutting the glass to size. Went with 2 layers of 1708 over it which should be plenty. https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...cf0b77e18.jpeg The whole boats getting sanded so i wasnt really worried about getting resin on the deck and dash but shes glassed in. Huge thanks to all my good friends for helping me out Fred Nick and Doug have come in clutch with helping on the hull. |
Very well documented,can’t wait to see how she runs.
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Originally Posted by Craney
(Post 4894469)
Very well documented,can’t wait to see how she runs.
. i cant wait either! I have you to blame for the pantera addiction! Haha |
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I partially have Jerry Memoli to blame for my want to race boats. We got to talking since he owned my 28 and raced it back in the day and would send me pictures and videos of race boats so i got the itch lol. Only seemed right to have him build the powerplant for the 24! https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...57027e8ed.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...e6e0fcb3e.jpeg |
awesome build!
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Down the rabbit hole fast!!
nice work ! |
Originally Posted by jeff32
(Post 4894498)
Down the rabbit hole fast!!
nice work ! |
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We measured the x several different ways. Straight edge, plumb bob, etc this was actually the easiest and best way we came up with due to the delta pad on the bottom and the trailer. We knew the pad was 1” higher than the keel so i taped string along the keel set it at 1” down, then marked 16.5 on the plumb bob, and made our intersection mark. When measuring for the X never measure off the sides of the boat. We measured straight up off the strakes to get out center lines. Then once we found our x we measured diagonal from strake to center to make sure we were dead on. Alot of measuring and planning goes into this and it helps to talk to so many people who have done this in the past! https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a98624eb2.jpeg Big thanks the Jerry for sending the template up. Had full plans of taking it to tc marine so he could cut it but couldnt afford to lose any time of working on it and toms in busy season so we tackled it. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...7502183ca.jpeg Doug drilling the 9/16 holes. Little tip we did not want to crank down on the center bolt because ive seen a ton of people crack these plates. We took some 3/4 cut to size of the template and screwed it in the middle so the template cant walk if drill bit catches. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...481a20205.jpeg Templates new come with a hole saw with a guide pin. We only had the template so we cut a rod for a guide worked like a charm https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...427521b65.jpeg Drive hole cut. Still need to final fair sides of transom wanted to cut the hole soak it with epoxy then prime and paint so we didnt mess paint up. The X was set at 16.5 i know its a big debate some say 17 some say 18 etc. we set at 16.5 because a few other racers have set these here and ran well also i am running a 2” shorty with a spacer so we can go all the way to 18.5 if needed and keep our center of gravity lower. |
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New tank in. We wentwd to bolt it but decided to foam it in due to space restrictions and they old tank was in almost 50 years and never leaked. https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...01c419279.jpeg Floor is templated and cut. Heres where we have to do some thinking. The old floor was not rotted but flexed like crazy. So we decided to cut up the walls a little so we can lay 3/4 across the stringers and hull to stiffen the floor but also stiffen the boat some. We will tab a peice back into the wall and drop down to the floor. The original floor was 1-1/4 higher on the port side than starb so it made sense to get rid of it all. If youve ever workd with a 24 you know how bad the walls bow if i had some more time id be cutting the walls completely out but maybe next winter. |
Did you ever think a year ago you would be in this deep.
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Originally Posted by Craney
(Post 4895062)
Did you ever think a year ago you would be in this deep.
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Just read this whole thread, Looks Great! Can't wait to see her race.
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Originally Posted by Fast Shafts
(Post 4895119)
Just read this whole thread, Looks Great! Can't wait to see her race.
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Keep it up! You are doing some nice work!
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Originally Posted by Helmwurst
(Post 4895292)
Keep it up! You are doing some nice work!
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Built some knees to land under the seats. Put 2 square pads of 1/2” glassed to the 3/4” floor to have plenty of meat to mount the seats too. Floor is stiff as hell https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9dc31fe7c.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...813181334.jpeg 2 layers of 1708 tabbed it to the hull also then capped with chop strand. The wrinkle in the back will be ground out when i match the back seat lip to the floor https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a6afc354b.jpeg The 24s dont have a full rear bulkhead so we built the stock bulkhead up and tied it to the bottom of the seat. It will all be glassed it and will tie everything together making it alot stronger. |
love these kind of pictures.
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Originally Posted by Nickc919
(Post 4895551)
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Built some knees to land under the seats. Put 2 square pads of 1/2” glassed to the 3/4” floor to have plenty of meat to mount the seats too. Floor is stiff as hell https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9dc31fe7c.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...813181334.jpeg 2 layers of 1708 tabbed it to the hull also then capped with chop strand. The wrinkle in the back will be ground out when i match the back seat lip to the floor https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a6afc354b.jpeg The 24s dont have a full rear bulkhead so we built the stock bulkhead up and tied it to the bottom of the seat. It will all be glassed it and will tie everything together making it alot stronger. I like the tying in of the back seat to the lower hull. Mine was tied at the corners near my battery boxes and the port side has separated (port side had minimal linear tie in). If Inhad to do it again, I’d do something like you did. One thing I’d consider is that the engine room gets a lot of fresh air from the gunnel vents. You have blocked that completely off, from the looks of it. Maybe drill a couple 3” or so vent holes on the sides. again, nice work. |
Rock and roll man!!! Keep it up dude.
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Impressive work!
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Great Build!
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Picked up the power plant from Jerry fresh 548 solid roller motor around 700hp she should move good. Unfortunately in april one of my lead techs at work had a major health problem the day before a 30 day project so i had no choice but to go work in the field. Running a business definitely keeps the curve balls coming. But the project went 50 days and we are now ready to get jamming on the boat again. Wont make ac race but we have hope for the end of the season! |
Originally Posted by tomcei
(Post 4899192)
Rock and roll man!!! Keep it up dude.
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Originally Posted by vintage chromoly
(Post 4899169)
Your project looks really good. Nice work!
I like the tying in of the back seat to the lower hull. Mine was tied at the corners near my battery boxes and the port side has separated (port side had minimal linear tie in). If Inhad to do it again, I’d do something like you did. One thing I’d consider is that the engine room gets a lot of fresh air from the gunnel vents. You have blocked that completely off, from the looks of it. Maybe drill a couple 3” or so vent holes on the sides. again, nice work. |
Wow, you guys do nice work! That Pantera should rip !!!! Lookin forward to the finished product, please keep the progress pics coming.
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Nice project!
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holy ****, small world. I dont know how I stumbled upon this post, but I am 99% sure that was a local to me boat, used to see it out in Puget sound all the time. Amazing work! I have a picture of it on the other side of the dock from my pachanga that really shows the width differance.
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Originally Posted by Montiboats24
(Post 4900795)
holy ****, small world. I dont know how I stumbled upon this post, but I am 99% sure that was a local to me boat, used to see it out in Puget sound all the time. Amazing work! I have a picture of it on the other side of the dock from my pachanga that really shows the width differance.
out in washington state? |
Originally Posted by Nickc919
(Post 4900822)
out in washington state?
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What did you do with the original windshield? Is it available?
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Filled the hatch in https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...17e53936e.jpeg Finally drug it back outside work got in the way and had to step away from it for a bit but we got back to it. Ton of work boat was alot worse than i originally thought. https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8d8932481.jpeg Testing out dash layouts with scrap wood. https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...28bc26fd4.jpeg Made my own front and rear engine mounts because they dont make them for skinny stringer boats like this and instead of cutting one down i just made new ones https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9446fd2b8.jpeg |
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Bilge sanded down to prime it https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a36db622f.jpeg First coat of 545 primer https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...30486d809.jpeg I was going to leave these holes because i just did not want to fill them but decided i would kick myself if i left these ghetto holes. Squared them off put a backer in it and glassed/filled them shut https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...09da5c104.jpeg Filler over the glass layer and sanded https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...73366114e.jpeg Heres where things got bad. Test drilled a hole in the bulkhead and stringers originally and where i drilled seemed decent so i figured it was dry. Turns out it wasnt and i already added the top bulkhead to the originally. Found how rotted it was when we went to mount the crane lifters. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a548bd8bd.jpeg This was a friday night i cut it all open found how bad it really was. All stemmed from the porta potty cubby hole floor not being glassed on bottom and it touches this bulkhead so any water that sat in the hull got soaked up. So i chopped it all out cubby floor everything https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1eb767ffd.jpeg Decided to lay stringers further forward because originally they stopped at the bulkhead and i plan to run a ballast tank up front so it will help hold it https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0e54768cd.jpeg This was saturday night replaced the coring on the bulkhead with 3/4 marine and glassed that and stringers |
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