DSK wrote:
They can be removed. That's what the threads do.



Steven J. Ross wrote:

I believe he means from the keel itself.


So did I


Regards
Doug King


If the bolts were bent and cast into the molten keel, you will not
remove them. You should find out the breaking strength of the bolts
and then do not exceed this torque when trying to remove the nuts or
bolts. If you get up close to breaking torque for your bolts and
they don't come out and they don't break they are ok. Hell, If they
get up to 75% and don't give, I'd trust them.

If you break one, you've got to do them all.

If they need to be changed, you might cut them out with a torch or
saw, and re solder the keel top sections around the replacements,
which you will position with very carefully crafted jigs tack
soldered on, then cut off afterwards.

Should keep you busy for the weekend. Older bodymen and plumbers
have experience with lead filling, using a naptha blowtorch. Old
cast iron pipes were often caulked with molten lead.

Good luck

Terry K