Recent content by inthedirtagain

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    First Splash!

    Picked up my 81 Sun Ray last fall and promptly stored after winterizing. Took it out today after spendy the last month cleaning up wiring, connections, and installing a stereo. When at home and on the hose, the 3.8L fired up pretty easy with the electric fuel pump and manual choke. Out on the...
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    New gauge set compatibility?

    Looking to install all new gauges and fuse panel in my 1981 Sun Ray (OMC sterndrive). When researching different sets from manufacturers, I keep coming across compatibility requirements, but none specifically say OMC. Am I over thinking this or should I do more research between the different...
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    Homemade Tower rope attachment

    I picked up a bowrider this last Fall and just now getting it water-ready. It has a homemade tower that appears pretty stout, but instead of using a proper rope attachment point, the previous owner used a 2in ball that would normally go onto your trucks bumper. Obviously, its going to be stout...
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    3.8L no crank/no start

    Bought this 1981 Sun Ray last Fall and it started/ran just fine while when I winterized before storing (was the one and only time I ran it). Shut it down and haven't touched anything until now. Fast forward to this last month when I went to drain/replace all fluids and thought I'd listen to the...
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    3.8L fuse/fusible link location

    Stuck at work and don't have my manual with me, so advice is appreciated. Picked up 1981 Sun Runner with the 3.8L GM last fall. Got it home and ran it on the muffs, then winterized and stored in my shop. Yesterday, I was about to listen to the radio while replacing all the fluids, but I have...
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    Opinions wanted.......classic repower or different boat?

    Looking to potentially repower my boat and not sure which direction I should go. I inherited my grandparents boat when they passed away and no one else in the family wanted it. It has a TON of sentimental value to me, so I'm not 100% sure I'm gonna do this. Its a 1969 Silverline DeVille with...
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    Replacement tank questions.....

    Thought about replacing the original steel fuel tank in my 69 Silverline OB. My fuel gauge either reads full or empty no matter how much fuel is in there and I've already replaced the sending unit/float with no difference. Figured that I'd rather have a larger plastic tank instead and hoped...
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    Prop diameter/pitch issue

    The in-dash tach has been verified against 2 other tachs, and the speed indicated was by GPS. The old prop isn't necessarily undersized if it allows the motor to reach its optimal rpm, but I want it to spin a smidge faster, especially when loaded with 6 people and gear. Prop slip calculator puts...
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    Pre-77 ToP owners.....

    Trying to satisfy my curiosity here. Quick poll: What is the diameter of your prop?
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    Prop diameter/pitch issue

    I posted last year on wanting to replace props on my grandfathers old boat, and have done so recently with the help of my local shop, but didn't get the results I was looking for. This is on a 1969 Silverline DeVille with the original Merc 1000 ToP. This 16ft boat/motor combo comes in around...
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    Element or Element XL wake?

    The wife and I are looking to upgrade our boat in the next year or two, so I've been researching on the different varieties available. We currently own a 1969 Silverline DeVille with the original Merc 1000ob. Haven't settled on anything in particular, but I really like the layout of the Element...
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    1969 Merc 1000 (tach question)

    Im waiting for my TinyTach to arrive in the mail so that I can confirm my RPMs for this outboard. Under the dash of the 1969 Silverline is a 4-wire tach with 2 of the wires not connected to anything. Any ideas what they are for? I can't see any markings. The original tach does work, but I'm...
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    My oops! for today.....

    Working on my 1969 Merc 1000 and adjusting shift cables today. I accidentally dropped a nut down below the shift cable and can't find it. My guess is that it is lodged between the powerhead and the casing of the upper drive. Are there any moving parts down there or am I looking at tearing...
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    1969 Silverline DeVille

    Since my grandfather passed, no one seem interested in his boat. My grandmother asked me to take it home this summer and put it to use, so that is just what I did. I have wayyy too many memories of this boat as a kid, so I can't see selling it to strangers. Its not a perfect fit for my...
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    How to create a smoother wake?

    My family has learned to kneeboard over the last few years behind a variety of boats that I've brought home. Our current boat is a 1969 Silverline DeVille with the original Merc 1000 that we brought home with us while on vacation this summer. Its in great condition, tops out at around 36mph, and...
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