lag time

[wardd]

originally was the keel cast with the bolts in place?

[lat 64]

I am thinking now perhaps I need to pull a stud to confirm the thread size and if they are machine threads in good shape, then I should just replace the studs with some made of a good material. Confidents in the existing design was most of my concern, but I am getting the picture that this method was customary. It did last this long.
but if they are self tapping lags, could they be messed up when I pull the studs? I wonder if I should go to machine threads if this is the case.

Gilbert is right; I should not be imagining a problem if there is not one.

You guys are making me think twice about this tapping in lead stuff. That's a good thing of course.

Ward, Probably not. The drawing in my owners manual has notes to drill and tap. I wish I had the detail dwg that it refers to.

See attached,

Russ

PS. Gilbert I took a look at your gallery. I like those little italian boats too. My avatar pic was taken on the beach in Monteroso in the Cinque Terr(sp?) saw some boats there.

[PAR]

Nope, they're not machine threads they are really hanger bolts as I originally thought. This assumes the drawing you've attached is the same as what you have.

Remove one hanger bolt. You can try and use a double nut arrangement, but I'd prefer to use an inserter so you don't stretch or tear up the threads.

Lags aren't tapped, just machine threads.

[lat 64]

Thanks all for responding to this thread.
I am much more informed about this and confident of the outcome now.
I will not get to the keel bolts until spring. This project just needs more real data(what is it I have anyway?) I must pull a bolt this winter.

I just found a 3/4 inch heavy-duty drill on a portable-drill-press thingy from a junk shop that will come in service for the hangar stud replacement. The thing is a beast from the fifties or sixties, with gobs of torque and a johnson rod to pull it into the work or keep it from feeding too fast.

Yeee ha, Gonna drill me some HOLES!

Russ