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  1. IslandExplorer

    Pistons on Ford 302 / Mercruiser 188

    I wasn't able to do a compression test previously but once I put it back together I'll probably give it a try.
  2. IslandExplorer

    Pistons on Ford 302 / Mercruiser 188

    Thanks for the quick reply, I was thinking they looked abnormally clean too.. I didn't clean them for pics or anything. If it is a recent rebuild that then fell out of use shortly after- that'd be great! This engine literally turned over nice and easy by hand when I first climbed into it and...
  3. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Too bad they didn't include this with my gauge cluster. I don't have an idiot light, I have an idiot GAUGE! 😅
  4. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Oil pan is off for gasket replacement and to see what the deal is with the dipstick. Posted a separate thread asking about the look of the pistons as far as being stock and if they look like they're in good shape or not. I'm definitely seeing some blue paint around the block that may have had...
  5. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Oh for sure, definitely want a nice new belt on there. I took the belt off to clean the pulleys real quick with a wire brush and it seemed surprisingly flexible but it's being replaced. It's nice how it is such a simple one-belt, three-pulley system! I'll probably zip tie this old belt to a hose...
  6. IslandExplorer

    Pistons on Ford 302 / Mercruiser 188

  7. IslandExplorer

    Pistons on Ford 302 / Mercruiser 188

    While changing oil pan gasket on this 1974 Mercruiser 188 I am wondering if anyone can tell me a little by looking at the pistons and the side of the block. Seeing blue paint on block instead of just black which seems like maybe a different 302 engine was swapped in here maybe. (guessing...
  8. IslandExplorer

    Mercruiser Vacuum Gauge

    Totally agree, depth is super important especially in the shallow areas I frequent. I'm thinking I will keep my plotter reading depth below hull (no offset for transom depth) and calibrate the standalone to depth below outdrive if I can.
  9. IslandExplorer

    Mercruiser Vacuum Gauge

    I hear ya. I'm just a hapless victim of nostalgia sometimes. I know a lot of people want a fuel flow meter showing exact gph but I think I'm going to skip that one as not to monetize and ruin my throttle stabbing fun! lol I figured the vac gauge would more vaguely let me know when I'm being an...
  10. IslandExplorer

    1975 oday 22

    I like that idea, that's a nice low place to have the battery and make your COG even lower. The settee spot is easiest for reaching in and hooking up a maintenance charger so that's probably why it's there. Not like you have a cold starting big block engine back there that you want shortest...
  11. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Thanks Joe, I still can't believe it idles now. In my experience sometimes a steady idle can be the toughest thing to achieve. Thinking the previous owner must have legitimately drained and winterized this thing all those years ago. It started up on the old ignition system months ago but I had...
  12. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Hell yeah I am, finally some mechanical progress! Thinking I'm going to do the oil pan gasket too before I set the motor back in its home. Cheers! 🍻
  13. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Started right up super easy! Engine sounds awesome. This thing is just dripping with good old American pushrod horsepower!! Can you believe it runs at all never mind actually even idles at lowest throttle setting despite never having rebuilt or even opened up the old Holly that has been dormant...
  14. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Fuel pump is on! Need to get a new hard line from pump to carb but have a hose hooked up to test.
  15. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Fuel pump, lines, and filter removed. Peering in a little through the port it looks pretty clean inside for a 15-20 year abandon job I think. The oil pan dipstick port is leaking after messing with it and the motor mounts so that's going to have to be resealed somehow. Wanted to do a new oil pan...
  16. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Freeze plugs are in and all set. When hooked to garden hose block now fills with water and then starts spilling out the exhaust risers instead of just pouring out the side of the block so that's a plus! First quick test spin of engine no-go. Seems like it is not firing. Worried when I swapped...
  17. IslandExplorer

    Mercruiser Vacuum Gauge

    Awesome, thanks guys! I like that there is some purpose mixed in with the gimmicky style too. I think I'll be adding one on if I can. Would be interesting to see if it helped me increase economy at times if not at least just be an overload indicator. I'm definitely not going to have any fancy...
  18. IslandExplorer

    Mercruiser Vacuum Gauge

    Here is an example picture of the guage I'm asking about:
  19. IslandExplorer

    Mercruiser Vacuum Gauge

    Hello, does anyone happen to know what the old mid 70's Mercruiser Vacuum guage on the instrument panel is all about? I'm guessing fuel economy optimization but curious if anyone knows just how these were used and how they were hooked up to the engine from the factory. I really like 70's tech...
  20. IslandExplorer

    1974 Chieftain 25 "Adventurer" Restoration

    Hopefully! lol I think I found the timing info bc it seems to match how this thing was set up. Was too dark way too early last night to get any good pictures but all the plugs, wires, coil and the new distributor are now in. Hopefully I'm not a whole tooth off on the distributor timing! Going to...
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