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  1. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is a video? Today's lake test was a nearly complete success. Some notes: Found out the fuel tank's sending unit seeps gas when full... not a new issue based on how much paint was stripped off the tank in that area (and bonehead here...
  2. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    Genuine mercruiser bushings came in. Sure enough, there is about a 1/8" difference: They seem to fit a lot better. But, despite swearing that there were 8 bushings in the bag, by the time I installed the 7th the bag was empty. Ordered another single bushing. Guess this won't be done today...
  3. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    It's been a while since I posted in this thread... mainly because I was fighting running/cooling issues (seems to be fixed?) and now a worn out/poorly redone trim cylinder bushing issue. The bushing issue will be fixed tomorrow (as long as I get off work in time)... but I'm still out of luck...
  4. ratdude747

    Are these old D!ck Pope Water Skis any good?

    I'm not much of a woodworker... that's my FIL's domain. Nor do I have a way to reproduce foil decals. Turning wrenches, metalworking, rewiring, and sawing sketchy ski locker floors is one thing... this, nah. I did offer the family that gave me the boat the skis if they want them as display...
  5. ratdude747

    Are these old D!ck Pope Water Skis any good?

    Noted. One picture was out of sequence... the mildew'd rubber is on the Jr's (the III's are spotless). May hang onto the III's since as far as I can see, other than being old/heavy and the labels being junk, they're at lest usable. Not looking to spend $150-$300 on sports gear I'm not sure I...
  6. ratdude747

    Are these old D!ck Pope Water Skis any good?

    (Using the word "D!ck" to get around the curse filter... as using the actual brand name results in "****" :rolleyes:) As part of a "free" 1976 Starcraft Montego 16 Tri-Hull Ski Boat I was gifted, I received several ski tow ropes and a couple pairs of skis. The ropes I've gotten settled out- a...
  7. ratdude747

    Did I use the wrong impeller kit? 😡

    I'll third this... Based on a recent bad experience with poor muff operation and too many RPMs. Sure, I'm on a much older Mercruiser, but the same lesson applies. I had been been using the OP's style muff, but I ended up using a different style muff (the latest Mercruiser style with the skewer...
  8. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    After some thought, I'm going to get the "right" bushings... and call these bushings a fail. I am finding they aren't that expensive after all...
  9. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    Parts came in today. Installing the new bushings was a royal pain. Seems the threaded ends of the shafts were just a touch too short. Had to use friction clamps to get the outdrive ends on. Yet, it seems automotive polyurethane mY be too soft... As with just enough stud threaded to fully pass...
  10. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    Parts came in... and they don't fit. Exploded view I used is wrong? Bushings are too big. But, having taken some measurements, apparently there are cheap yet good polyurethane shock bushings out there that are the same dimensions...
  11. ratdude747

    Mercruiser 69729 Alternator (888, etc.) Rebuild notes and info

    A bit belated, but it did great on the muff test. Getting 13.1-13.5 at the GPS Speedometer when idling 700-850 RPM. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/1976-888-fuel-questions.772360/page-4#post-5924250 Initial idle was lower due to cold start and this alternator providing enough load to...
  12. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    Appears the vertical play is a rotten trim cylinder bushing Oddly, it's the only one with a rusty nut. Maybe where my cover drains? Either way, I should be good to just replace the bushings? Edit- that's not a stock nut and washer... Looks like an automotive bushing washer&nut. Though that...
  13. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Drilled holes. And despite having other things to do, I decided to give it a try. I'm actually testing it now... But here's what I have so far: Idle is way down... Due to a working alternator! Had to adjust the throttle screw to get it to 700-850 (700 cold, 800-850 warm). We do have water...
  14. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    I didn't see any instructions in the package... But if that's a safe move, not a problem.
  15. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    From what I could tell, most/all of the up/down slop was in the side pins. But I will recheck after work...
  16. ratdude747

    HOA rules say, no boats visible from the street,....

    Why I refuse to live in a HOA neighborhood. Dealing with nonsense city rules is bad enough... Thankfully, no issues with having a boat in the front yard (it has to go there at the moment for muff water access reasons)
  17. ratdude747

    Mercruiser 69729 Alternator (888, etc.) Rebuild notes and info

    Been rebuilding the alternator out of my 1976 Mercruiser 888 (302) and wanted to note some findings and info that don't seem to be on the forum already. Also, I noticed that another member with the same engine may be having an alternator issue, so I figured I better get the info out there. This...
  18. ratdude747

    Mercruiser MC-1: is this play acceptable?

    While putting my outdrive back together (impeller replacement) I noticed some steering/trim play: It's a 1976 Mercruiser 888 (MC-1). This is a project boat that I haven't had on the water yet, so I can't comment on steering performance (it's a standard cable setup, no power assist or...
  19. ratdude747

    1976 888 Fuel Questions

    Parts came in! Good news: I was able to rebuild the impeller (blades aren't facing the same way, but I read that will correct itself on first start as long as I get it on muffs and started soon ;)). After a lot of fighting and cursing (shaft rotation issues) my wife and I were able to get the...
  20. ratdude747

    Newbie question: how do boating fees work at IN state parks?

    To answer the question, turns out I do still have boating coworkers... just need to pay admission and have the lake permit. Not sure if season passes work, but that's a later problem. Beyond initial boat testing I don't know where I'll be boating (river, lake, both???).
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