I was thinking maybe he was reading the AMP meter on dash?

Might you be reading amps rather than volts?

I'm pretty sure by 1941 they were using white pyramid.

I would install low as possible on inside of stringer, under and behind carb. If sensor is not water proof then mount high enough to avoid any expected bilge water. Keep in mind that fumes are heavier than air and will accumulate low to high. The goal is to sense them before they get high enough to ...

Yes, I would expect a deviation such as box spring seats to be enumerated on the hull card (equipment record). Some cool extras listed on yours, by the way.

Box springs were not spec'd for the 17 special as standard.

If inspection reveals no corrosion or other deterioration, I would expect the original bronze to be fine. This assumes that your boat is so equipped.

Could be venting vapor from tank vent. Fuel odor around boat but none in closed spaces on board might support this. I would still re-check everything.

For the most part, the items you seem most concerned about...Distributor, carb, and other external accessories are not interchangeable from auto to marine application due to safety considerations (regulatory as well as practical). As far as cam changes...how often do you expect to be doing this? Pro...

I would vent as original using hole in cap. Just be sure hole has not been obstructed with debris or plating.

They were oval head nickel plated. The actual look would be easiest to achieve by polishing stainless steel. As mentioned above, switch over to R&P just before the war. I believe was in 1941 calendar year sometime. If true some 41 and then 42s had them. Also mentioned above...ILO original hardware f...

I currently own 4wd Suburban and 2wd Chevy PU (with 5.3 and locking diff). Over many years towing, launching and retrieving I have never needed 4wd and I prefer driving the 2wd. The 2wd with "winter" tires will out perform the 4wd (without) in snow and ice conditions. I always carry a tow strap but ...

You may be trying something none of us has experienced. I would call Pettit and see what they have to say. I would be interested in their reply.

At thirty degrees your gonna need two hands to drag the brush. I'd wait for warmer weather.

17 and 19 footers with orange deck seems and pigskin interior had orange boot stripes to match. 23 and 27 footers and (I believe 25 sportsman) had green deck seems, emerald green leather and green boot stripe. I can tell you for sure that seem compound (caulk) was colored green (on 23's and presumab...

I'll check, but not likely. Would have been accidental. These covers were rotten and gone long before anybody cared enough to document. May have some photos of "storage" building or boat houses with covered boats that might show this detail.

Additionally, when a factory cover was spec'd there was typically a small bronze (chromed) hook-like retainer installed on the transom band to secure the cover at the transom via another set of cotton cords attached to a canvas loop.

These cleats were used to secure factory covers. They were indeed fender cleats but I have seen orders were additional cleats were spec'd to enhance cover retention. The covers had a square piece of vinyl sewn at each cleat location with two parallel stitch lines through the middle above where the c...

Correction..Crestliner 15 Chieftain Imperial model 1552. Circa early 1960's

Crestliner? Looks like a DelRio (model). The dash will ultimately provide the definitive clue.

You could also bypass the cooler and idle engine, pump the old into a receptacle while drawing new in until outflow is clean. Also will pump water out cooler fittings if leaking. Has the boat had water in bilge over rev gear?

Jim wins the cookie.

Have you tried that on a "flywheel forward"?

I would get more evidence to support hose clamp choice. Thumb screw clamps were used... but not all years. There are some pretty good photos in the engine brochures.

More common than you might think. Seen them spec'd on a number of hull cards. Most boat houses were dark even during the day.

Pretty sure decals not until later. No decals on earliest 283.

Don't think there were any decals on that vintage. All info on manifold id tag.

Don't have a photo but the crash pad is tapered at the stern to allow clearance for the rear seat back. Hopefully someone will post a detail photo.

have used 2-4-C for years.

I had to use my old password for main site and new for the Buzz.