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  1. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    Noted. If it matters, I have the stock distributor but I upgraded to Pertronix Ignitor and flamethower.
  2. ratdude747

    Correct spark plugs for an 888

    Went to replace spark plugs in my 1976 mercruiser 888... And apparently I ordered the wrong plugs: The plugs I read were right are NGK A6FS. What came out is a much smaller motorcraft ARF52. The previous owner's mechanic (my best friend's dad) is a retired Ford tech... So finding car parts...
  3. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    LEDs for the gauges came in today. In addition, per some in-boat testing yesterday, I've found that ignition switch was toast (which per a teardown is only good for 10A?). Luckily, the local O'Reilly's had a dorman 30A switch stocked, which fit like a glove. This evening I went ahead and fully...
  4. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Noted. Any "good" reason to swap instead of sticking with plastic, since plastic was working? Other than that it seems that Comprop is no longer in business (DOH!). Piranha props any good? Yes, fresh water only (they used on a couple of northwestern IN lakes, I'd be using on a lake near me and...
  5. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Leaving the nav lights on the bow incandescent (replaced the bulb which was burnt out)... I'm only referring to the console panel indicator light (the light/label by the side of the nav light switch).
  6. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    All gauges and the rubber backing rings came in. Also took apart, de-corroded, and rebuilt the dimmer switch. Still waiting on LED bulbs for the gauges. Otherwise, it's done. Rubber rings worked perfectly and the tach fit like a glove. Pics: The only other issues are a crack in the...
  7. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    They slapped a 4 barrel Holley off a 1970's Ford super duty on it (along with an Edelbrock intake off one of their cars). I swapped in a 4 barrel marine Holley made for a 5.0 that I got used on eBay (flame arrestor included, which was also missing on the old setup). Otherwise it was stock...
  8. ratdude747

    Prop questions on a 16' 1976 StarCraft Montego (Merc 888)

    Reposting something from my ongoing build thread that probably should be a post in this subforum. The boat is a 16' Starcraft Montego with a Mercruiser 888 (302). I've edited the wording a bit for clarity. Supposedly they were hitting 60mph in this thing before it was out of service; it had...
  9. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Ordered the 2" o rings. Didn't bother on the other ones... as I don't know if I'll need them.
  10. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    O-ring is right... it was late after a long day. Here's an example: https://www.mcmaster.com/5288T358/ Nice hard 90 Durometer too. My only worry is the rubber not tolerating the elements long term... but again, maybe I'm overthinking it. Edit: If needed, here's something for the tachometer...
  11. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Voltmeter came in. Run into a slight snag... the new gauge is a hair smaller and no matter what I do I get a bit of daylight shining between the gauge's outer ring and the console hole. Does anybody make washers/gaskets I could put between the gauge and the console to fill the gap and ensure...
  12. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Got the tach ordered. GPS speedometer came in along with an adhesive antenna. Found a way to hide it in the console for a clean install: Rigged up a 9v battery for a quick outdoor reception test. Works great: (Also, why I'm electing to replace everything else... These gauges are very...
  13. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Doing some eBay sluething... found the black coral Faria Bede gauges I'm wanting to go with for a good price (all BIN exept the tach which is pending an offer). Minus the voltage gauge, which I'm amazon'ing (my wife has prime through her parents 😁). I found a deal on an oil pressure gauge, but...
  14. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    The issue isn't just the gauge mechnicals... the face paint is in terrible shape (lots of cracks and fading) and while I was able to uncrimp and recrimp the housing on the voltmeter, the process wasn't pretty and honestly this is reeking of "not worth the trouble". If this was a concours...
  15. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Buzzer/light came in. Other than needing ring/fork terminals (not spades), is a direct replacement for the old unit. Heck, if I glue it back together, the old square "oil" lens will fit. Sounds about right too. If I even keep it... Still mulling over what to do with gauges.
  16. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    The old relay is still on engine block above the starter. Currently it's just being used for a power distribution point... I can't access it very well and it was easier to mount a fresh relay somewhere easier to access. Battery covering is a known issue I haven't gotten to yet. Battery...
  17. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Another picture, now with stater relay mounted better (correct #12 stainless screws and plastic spacers): Also, why the battery install is such a pain on this thing. The fuel hoses shove to the side a bit but they're generally in the way.
  18. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Back to square one on the gauges. Discoveries made: The old voltmeter has failed miserably. Didn't like the glue repair (it had been working, at least the "nub" on the hub moved). Now it doesn't move more than a twitch. Likely a mechanical issue, but I'm done with this faded cracked and...
  19. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    With a bit of persistence, I was able to uncrimp the old voltmeter, glue the needle back to the spindle, and re-crimp the housing. So, as a lower-cost option, I could just replace the speedometer and (for now, at least) replace the oil buzzer/light. And maybe LED swap the cluster lights...
  20. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    For the other gauges, it seems that Faria-Beede makes some nice gauges for a respectable price: https://www.amazon.com/FARIA-BEEDE-3003-3472-Mercury-Mercruiser/dp/B0000AZ84Y https://www.amazon.com/Faria-13004-Coral-100-250%C2%B0F-Water/dp/B000FOW4QE...
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