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  1. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Ah. Noted. Tracking down a decent (enough) tachometer is proving to be a pain. Most of the stuff that isn't $$$ is all reviews as "leaks water and died" in the reviews. I'd like to have discreet gauges for everything else as I don't know what else worth adding would fit there.
  2. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Exactly. --- That same company also makes this wonder: https://www.amazon.com/MAIMEIMI-Speedometer-Tachometer-Voltmeter-Adjustable/dp/B0CG66GVHK The only boon to this would be if I wanted to knock out everything but the trim gauge to add something else completely different or add a digital...
  3. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    I should have clarified... "Modern" as in "new, drop in replacement", not "Modern" as in CAN bus. A bit too old for that!
  4. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    My plan above reused the existing gauge holes. Small holes are standard 2" gauges. Tach and Speedo appear to be standard 3 3/8" holes. Speedo example I found: https://www.amazon.com/MAIMEIMI-Speedometer-Odometer-Waterproof-Motorcycle/dp/B09DNVCNKG/
  5. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Updates and new projects: First, I swapped out batteries and put in a new battery hold down today: https://forums.iboats.com/threads/best-battery-for-mercruiser-888-1976-ford-302.771534/ Second, I'm trying to get the gauge issues resolved. Pulled the console, only to find that the voltmeter...
  6. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Got the battery tray installed: Moved it forward a bit to match where the PO ran the old battery and to give better clearance of the manifold drain. One issue I've run into is the studs aren't threaded enough. Bottomed out with 1/4" to go: Probably will need to pull them and use a die to...
  7. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    It was already there when I got the boat... No audible bolt grinding (nor a loose starter) so presumably there's no issue. If it wasn't a marine rated unit, I'd be swapping for something due to the fire hazard. But it is marine rated and I was able to fix the wiring mistake, so I seen no need...
  8. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    The current starter is the newer design (Ford PMGR) that were used on later Mercruiser 302's. Here's a pic of it from last year: Unless one is doing a Concours restoration (which I absolutely am not), the old 1 wire starters are not worth keeping in my opinion. They draw a lot more current...
  9. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Not sure what you're trying to say here. The boat came with the schematics as part of the Mercruiser installation manuals stuffed in the glove box (which I've since scanned in). AFAIK battery size/capacity was never listed. A long side note about the relay added and what's going on there...
  10. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Made it to Walmart. Found a very fresh one: Based on the serial number, I'm pretty sure this is a Clarios made unit: (JC meaning Johnson Controls?) Winner?
  11. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Will do on the rubber. Probably should for the starter relay I installed as well:
  12. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Also availability. The local Napa doesn't have them (but all the ones one county over do, go figure) but the local Walmart does. Yes, Napa will do a ship to store (or I could drive out to one of the other ones), but honestly, I don't see the point of going through extra hassle just to pay 77%...
  13. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    I don't have a battery box... just a nylon strap with a pair of plastic cleats.
  14. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Sounds good. And the dimensions should make clearing the fuel hoses slightly easier (skinnier and taller, the wide group 65 took some gymnastics to remove/install). Edit: for $55 less I can get one of these. Same size, but also marine deep cycle rated and has higher CA rating (Maybe, 705 CA vs...
  15. ratdude747

    Best Battery for MerCruiser 888 (1976 Ford 302)

    Question: My 1976 Starcraft Montego (Mercruiser 888, carbed 302) had a group 65 Car Battery in it. I pulled that battery to put in my truck, as it's obviously the wrong battery, like a lot of auto parts on the boat that didn't belong and have since swapped out. I'd like to know what suggestions...
  16. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    No drain after cutting more of the locker out. There maybe is a 2mm gap or so at the keel. But I wasn't able to pass anything I had handy through to see if it makes it to the engine bay. I took some measurements... About 17" from the back of the locker to the front of the engine bay. It's...
  17. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Going to give it time to thaw and dry up a bit. I need to see what's at the back of the cavity under the locker. No stringers in the suspect area towards the front of the locker (based on how much ice slid out). Looks like they glassed the hull first, then threw the board down and glassed the...
  18. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Well... Under the locker apparently is the keel... And an icy lake: Darn it. Not sure how far back it goes. Going to bail out what I can. The back area is still a chunk of ice.
  19. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Understood. A bit of a gut punch at first. --- Need to get an oscillating saw and cut the glass from the locker floor and see what's under the rotten wood. Given that it looks like they just tossed the board in there and threw some loose long hair glass on it, there is hope that the damage is...
  20. ratdude747

    1976 Montego 16- The "Free" Puppy

    Not to spam post, but made yet another discovery while getting the cover on the boat. Apparently whatever built the nest in the ski locker got it by shredding the insulation under the bow seats: As dense as it is/was, it isn't part of the flotation foam, right? Or do I need to replace it to...
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