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  1. tpenfield

    Illinois registration numbers?

    There is the Illinois Handbook . . . https://dnr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/dnr/boating/documents/boatdigest.pdf Which outlines the size and location of your boat registration numbers. You get to buy the letters/numbers yourself and put them on your boat, as mentioned.
  2. tpenfield

    Confused about these parts

    Yup, the gimbal bearing is in the gimbal housing part diagram . . . not part of the outdrive. The is a perma-lube and a grease-able version. Newer drives don't have the grease fitting, so its just the perma-lube.
  3. tpenfield

    Owners Manual

    If you can't find it or something close by doing a Google search, then consider the possibility that a 'manual' never really existed. Often, the so-called owner's manual for boats were nothing more that a run-down on navigation rules and the basics common to many boats.
  4. tpenfield

    Transom and floor replacement

    Plan on having the rot go about 5X further than you think. Cruiser style boat restoration is a bit more challenging than the smaller runabouts and bowriders since the hull structure and the cockpit structure are more separated by cabin space. There was a member ( @bigdirty ) who had to do...
  5. tpenfield

    In-boat camshaft replacement - 7.4 Mercruiser

    +1 for engine removal. You can then get a good look at both the engine and the bilge area of the boat. I know it has some scope creep to your original intentions, but it may allows you to clean things up and fix things that you would not normally be able to reach with the engine in the boat.
  6. tpenfield

    Inboard Engine question

    A Mercruiser 470 . . . :unsure: You'll get some comments on the engine itself. 3 things . . . Fuel Spark Compression You'll want to figure out which of those 3 you don't have. Spark is fairly easy to test, and compression is not so bad either. If you have those 2, then fuel may be the...
  7. tpenfield

    Preloading without the rolling dial torque wrench

    The rolling torque wrenches have gotten a bit pricey, but loosing a top-end gear set isn't exactly cheap either. Years ago, I bought the Seekonk Rolling torque wrench . . . I recently found it when I was cleaning the garage. :LOL: Get the proper torque wrench or have a reputable shop do it.
  8. tpenfield

    Chaparral Mercruiser Prop Question

    Which Chappy SSI model? The 21 (3100 lbs) or the 23 (3600 lbs) The original prop (14 x 19 Al) seems to be optimized for the top range . . . maximum speed. It is surprising that the 17 pitch 4-blade had such a dramatic effect. . . . but you did not state what the RPM was with the 19 pitch...
  9. tpenfield

    Possible buy (engine option)?

    BTW - There is plenty of wood in those boats. @lukecono . . . 1986-1987 was a transition year in several regards for Formula. 1) They were transitioning their designs towards the 2-piece 'clamshell' construction. By 1989, the boat had settled into the full 2-piece design 2) They were...
  10. tpenfield

    Possible buy (engine option)?

    Most of the 242LS models came with the 454 MAG (365 HP) and Bravo 1, starting in 1988. The 1987 models had the Alpha drive, which was only a good match for the 350 cu in engines. The boat is wood - transom, stringers, bulkheads and floor coring.
  11. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    Yes, that VesselView and SmartCraft stuff. My current goal in life is to figure out how to get the GPS feed to the speedometer. One of my boating buddies with a Cruisers 328 has V-P 6.2's and they are no better. At one point the 'smart' system could not 'find' one of the engines and he had to...
  12. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    Yup, I hear ya . . . Nothing full time, but the latest IT gig may be a few days a week. At least I'll have some extra cash to restore the O'Day Mariner that has been sitting in my back yard for the past 6+ years.
  13. tpenfield

    Quit My Job . . .

    Quick Update . . . The I.T. front has been more active than the Boat Upholstery front. I got my '2nd in command' at the previous place the IT Director job where I am currently consulting. I am going to be starting a new IT consulting gig at another company that should be keeping me busy for...
  14. tpenfield

    Owners Manual

    Boat manuals are usually not a thing until recently. Boats came with very little useful documentation. So, if nothing comes up on a Google search, than what you are looking for may not ever existed. The engine manual(s) may be the most useful.
  15. tpenfield

    99 Monterey 276 Transom Replacement

    Also, if you have access to an infrared camera, those are effective in identifying wet/rotted areas within a hull. Another thing that you can do is use a fairly inexpensive probe type moisture meter and just drill slightly through the fiberglass coating rather than deeper into the transom, so...
  16. tpenfield

    99 Monterey 276 Transom Replacement

    Probably a 1/4" drill from the inside near the leaking area and a few places higher. Go about 1" deep (the transom is 2" thick). Take pictures and save samples of the shavings, noting if the are wet, dark, mushy, etc.
  17. tpenfield

    1987 Cruisers, inc - Roque 287S

    Greetings and welcome to iBoats . . . Owner's Manuals for boat were not really a thing until lately. Mostly stuff about navigation rules. There is a fairly active Owner's group on FB and you could reach out to Cruisers Customer Service for guidance. I do see that there is a 90-page manual...
  18. tpenfield

    99 Monterey 276 Transom Replacement

    It could be just an assumption, so it needs to be verified before putting money and effort into it. it might be good to get the boat out of the water and take some core samples of the transom, both near the leak and elsewhere
  19. tpenfield

    What would cause staining under sunpad?

    Sort of looks like mold. Who says that boat manufacturers use Marine Grade plywood ??? :unsure: :LOL:
  20. tpenfield

    A couple basic testing questions

    It is hard to compare with the compression tests of others, because the methods of others and their 'pulling strength' varies, as well as the accuracy of the gauges. Therefore, if you are using reasonable methods of static compression testing take the highest value and call it good.
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