'63 American Skier in Colorado

When you pm Art,give him the serial number too. When he gets a chance maybe he can look it up for you.

Steve Hilpshe makes repro Interceptor decals. I've bought several set of them. Very good quality. I can post a link to his site tonight or you can search for him at marineengines.com

Dang! I had this written and accidentally pushed "Backspace" and deleted it! Here we go again:

It is likely that the stringers are clear fir. However, in those days of operating in bankrptcy, if there was mahogany in the stockroom and we would have had to buy fir, the priority was to not spend $$. I have to say, your photo does look like maghogany. Have someone who knows woods have a look. All I know for sure is that you don't want to use pine.

The spots where the woven roving is missing look like perhaps the floor support originally extended to the main stringer and someone cut ot the portion over the exhaust well and didn't patch the glass back in. My guess is that the hull was built for some other engine and they had to cut the support out to accomodate the 312. It looks as though the plywood bulkheads in the front of the exhaust were put in later.

I have an owner's manual for a 1965 312. The decal on the intake manifold reads as follows:

Recommended owner procedure for
FIRST 25 HOUR INSPECTION CHECK (this line in large bold print)
Ignition timing -- use timing light   (Strange; no spec shown!)
Set valve clearance -- .020    (my '65 had an alternator)
Set spark plug gap -- .030
Set distributor points -- .018
Tighten generator belt   
Tighten engine mounts
Align engine
Change oil
Firing order: 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

When I first started on this site, someone had a photo posted of a really beautiful restoration of a 312. All the decals had been replicated and it looked 100% original, exact color paint and all.   

I have two and a half 312s which I hope to make into one restored one. Please let me know if you find a source for the replica decals.

If you want a copy of my owner's manual, I will be happy to copy it and mail it to you. I don't have a scanner good enough to do it and I don't know how to post attachments on this site. I could take it to Kinko's / FedEx and have it done on a professional scanner and email it to you. Let me know. PM me please.   

Art

I worked on cleaning the stringer / bilge area yesterday and stripped deck parts for fiberglass work.



Looking for opinions / knowledge on a couple of things.
Best way to pull the steering wheel? It's already cracked and I really don't want to break it

Is the dash emblem glued on or does it set with pin holes? Because there are no nuts on the back side.
Again, I don't want to break it.

Also, anybody know what this decal on the intake was / said originally?

Art,Pete changes impellers when he changes points,whether he needs one or not

I've used the baggie method for many years now, works very well. I always feel like engineers that build oil filter mounts anything but facing down must have never changed their own oil!

ArtCozier wrote: If it's totally obsolete, they can suggest a retrofit.

The impeller is not obsolete. It's a very common size. The pump on the 312 is a dual cavity. I just changed mine out several years ago.

Good point. Thanks Peter.

Dang! I hate being a newbie! Peter, what do you think of this as an option?


Thanks for the link Steve!

PS Fellow CCF (ers) with older Skiers, please post more pics. The diary pics are too small. Need more closeups     Thanks!!

KC,
It's great that you changed the oil but you used the wrong stuff!! You want to use a oil with ZDDP. Valvolene VR1 is my choice on all my old flat tappet engines including my 312 Y block. I highly suggest you do another change before the cam is ruined. RR cams for the 312's are VERY hard to find.

BTW, I just put a baggie over the filter when removing it.

That's a good idea with the foil on a filter change!! I always use a couple of rags and Never catch all the spillage! I am due for a change and will try, thanks.

I removed the front section of floor the other day. I found an old compass and a plastic bag (treasure?) embedded in 50 years of muck.


Now I have a spare key!

I've been researching all I can about the Interceptor. CCF has the vast majority of info it appears. I can't believe there isn't more resources on the web! Parts are a big problem! For instance, a water pump rebuild kit. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right place?
I also started cutting away the delaminated fiberglass on the outer stringers since it's a perfect pocket for holding water.

So far the wood looks great. But again I'm not finding much in the proper way to prep and repair. Whats the best way to clean the old fiberglass?

Try disconnecting the cable from the transmission. We have 2 Dearbo C's and there is no detent like a Velvet Drive, but you can clearly feel it shifting in and out of neutral.

If i were a guessing man i'd say fake air intake scoops were mounted on the stern.

Does the boat have a blower? How did this thing get fresh air?

MartyMabe wrote: Also same steering wheel with the infamous 'Ship's Wheel' center cap

I am going to end up buying a damn boat to get one of those center caps...