cut-out template for merc ride-guide steering?

[mrdjflores]

anyone have, or know where i can get, a template to cut out the holes required for mounting the steering wheel hub into the dash? It is a 1973 Ride-Guide Merc steering setup.

sorry if this is the wrong forum to post this question in

thx,
Dan

[Bond-o]

Ayuh,... How complicated Is it,..??
Most are just a Big hole,+ several little holes...
Lay it out with an inchstick,+ pencil...

[mrdjflores]

Well I haven't taken the old dash or steering out yet...was going to build the new dash panel and was working on precutting the gauge and switch openings first..along with cutting out the hole for the steering hub so I can get everything laid out the way I want before installing in the console

[ajgraz]

Assuming your Merc Ride Guide is the same as that on my 1978 Starcraft...



Three-inch hole saw takes care of the shaft and the three mount bolts. The 3/8" hole at 12-o-clock holds the locating pin on the face flange, so the body of the thing can't rotate.

Centers of the 3" and the 3/8" hole are 1-27/32" apart. Drill the 3/8" hole first.

Dunno if this is how you're supposed to do it, but it works for me.

[mrdjflores]

thats close, but mine looks to be approx. 3" circle, then 3 bolts holes spaced out about 1/2" beyond the 3" circle, and the 3 bolts holes are spaced around at roughly 9 o'clock, 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock....

but i know that when making the new dash panel, i need to be more precise than being approximate

[ajgraz]

Check to be sure that those three holes are truly bolt holes, rather than hole choices for that locating pin so that you can mount the flange/body unit at different rotations.

[mrdjflores]

the 3 holes are truly bolt holes...i can see the back side of my original dash and see the bots sticking through