get the lead out

[emeraldsea]

The only electric chain saw in town was $300. I had to go back to work for 2 weeks, so on returning I got back to the problem. After a bit of cursing as to why the original builders would have done such a thing, I started my attack with a reciprocating saw, which cut ok but I could tell it was going to be a lengthy process. After cutting on each side, I noticed chunks of lead coming lose. After further inspection with hamer, chisel & pry bar, I was delighted to find that the lead was poured in many small pours and not in one shot. Since I became owner of this vessel after salvaging it from 70' down, oily water had penetrated every seam & void in this conglomerate of lead. The result is that a day of hammer, chisel, and prying has released me of this sinky, oily, lead. Reminded me of the many years ago when my cement truck ran out fuel and I had to jack hammer 4m of cement out of the drum! The lead was much easier.

[delmarrey]

Have you a pneumatic chisel. I have great success chiseling out thick dried paint from containers with air driven chisels. The paint has about the same hardness as lead, and the chisels you can buy a cheap one for a one time use.

They work great for other stuff on boats too. You just need a air compressor (rent or barrow if you don't have one).

Tractor Supply Company - Farmhand Air Chisel

[Alan Wheeler]

Sorry to join in on this thread now. But I imagine the lead was there for weight, not vibration dampning.

[Morgan Paul]

A job well done!

Thanks for posting a follow up picture. Its fun to see the end results of qustions asked on the forum.

Good luck with the new engine.