1973 Fiberform Renovation Help

[theck4291]

Recently purchased a 1973 Fiberform and have been working on it. My first boat so not very experienced, but figuring things out. Has a Mercruiser Pre Alpha Outdrive, 1973 Chevy Inline straight 6. Was taking on water so pulled it out and found out the bellows were shot. Took apart the outdrive, working on replacing the bellows and the shift cable, when I noticed the shift cable doesn't screw in the right way. Upon looking into it, found out they discontinued the older style cable and I have to tap out the hole so I can screw it in from the other side.
Now I am waiting on the pipe tap, and figured since it's already out of the water why not completely redo the boat. Gutted the hull, replacing the board over the gas tank, redoing all the seats(might have to outright buy a new captains lounge chair, saw some on ********, but maybe someone knows of a cheaper one?) Also the flooring, I found some vinyl flooring at http://www.perfectfit.com/15627/1540...ooring-72.html . Need to go with 4 yards of the material, and I am going to be getting the dark blue. What I need help with is what prep work should I do to the floor before laying down the vinyl? Also wanting to repaint the outdrive, but has grease working on the bellows and cant seem to really get it off... Any ideas on what I could use that would make it nice and clean before I repaint it? Thanks for any help/advice!

Here are some pics of before I removed the outdrive, and outside of boat...

 

[theck4291]

The stress marks around the transom(i think thats what its called), are those a point of concern? or should they be okay? I've been on the boat 3 times now, and everything seemed ok... Figured someone might know a little more than me. thanks

 

[theck4291]

OK, so going to talk about each picture... The first one, that piece that drops down, what is that called? It is loose, and has wiggle room side to side, actually more of a rotation, like I can twist it a little each way. I was having a vibration issue, could this be the culprit?
The next picture is just showing the bell housing and outdrive pulled.
Picture three is an upclose of the gimbal bearing, I think it looks over-greased...? and thats actually with me wiping a decent amount away first. Or is theis hos its supposed to look?
Picture four is the outdrive and bell housing. I am planning on repainting these, and have a question. Where the water comes in, in the lower unit, is there anything special i need to do so i don't ruin the water impeller? I bought a new impeller, but I was unaware of what it actually did, and realized I didn't need one as I have never even close to overheated. Engine running was still cool enough to touch without being burned.
Picture five is some of the seats. The grey ones on top were already re upholstered by previous owner, but I need to redo those as well so the boat is uniform.
Picture six is just boat interior after some work was already underway.
Picture seven I have a few questions. That paneling you stare directly at, kind of gets wider as it goes to the bow, then gets a lot smaller, about 1/2 of the wider section is completely rotted away. It seems like its about 1/4 inch plywood behind a vinyl covering. is there any way to replace that or...? I was thinking removing the whole thing, and just trying to replace that section, maybe use some of the metal paneling stuff you use to frame two pieces of 2X4 together when doing framing, do you know what I mean?
Picture eight, question. Does anyone know where I can get that edging you see along the back of the boat? I want to replace all of it.
Picture nine, the boat seat on the left side I have already removed and sanded it all down, going to stain it to try and match the paneling and the captains lounge bottom.
Picture ten, is the vinyl pulled up and the wood over the gas tank. Can't really tell here but there is a big know and rotted patch about 1/3 of the way up the picture.

 

[Woodonglass]

That's your Trim Tab an It needs to be Tight an Properly set at the correct angle for your motor.

 

[theck4291]

How would I know what the correct angle is? I have a 1973 Chevy Inline straight six with a Mercruiser Pre Alpha(MR1) outdrive

 

[theck4291]

Could that be what was causing vibrations?

 

[Woodonglass]

We have a mercruiser forum for just such questions.