I wish I had that much room, boat is looking great

Thanks guys. The machine shop guy was out today. Brought my dash adapter for the helm, and the shortened steering cylinder extensions. He took some measurements and will be making some thermostat housing adapters, as well as machining the lower pulleys to work. I'll post some photos tomorrow.

We got some more done today. We got the new plug wires run, and the distributors sat in place. I installed the helm plate on the console and ran the left and right steering hoses. I took the steering fluid reservoir apart and will have it painted as well as the steering wheel hub parts Monday. I like how the plate makes the steering sturdy as well as cleans up the holes that were in the console. My machine shop guy made some nylon bushings for the steering cylinder ends. The length they are now makes it possible to adjust them to where the expanding and retracting cylinders bottom out at exactly the same time.
I also sent the steering cylinders off to Latham marine yesterday. They will refurbish them as well as strip them and rechrome them.

I'm really considering going ahead and redoing the gauges now. Although I need to get the engines going and the steering completed. I'm bad to bite off more than I can chew as you guys have observed. I think I'm gonna have a piece of 1/4" stainless plate bent and drilled out just like the original plastic piece. The plastic has cracked in a few places and generally looks rough. Some white face gauges I think would look great.

Mr. Blair...here is a link to my 79 Formula 255 Restoration

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...update-22.html

On page # 22, Post # 216 are a few pics of how I re-worked my instrument panel. Might give you some ideas.

I look forward to seeing your progress...keep the posts coming.

John

Steve at inotek did an incredible job on my Scarab Viper dash panels. They are carbon fiber with Scarab racing and the viper logo. I fortunately was able to find a very rare Viper with the Kevlar composite laminate option. I stripped everything out of it to bare fiberglass so I understand overwhelmed. Replaced stringers now rerigging. Wellcrafts rigging was not the best specially by today's standards. I will load photos in a little bit.

I called goodvibesracing.com this morning looking for info on some blower pulleys for my setup. He said the blower shop was more knowledgable on the marine stuff. Called them and talked with Ron. He's got me some hardware coming that will make it possible to use my v belt hardware and adapt to the serpentine setup my blowers have.

I measured and cut the hatches tonight. I will prolly wait til Saturday to play in the polyester resin. I was worried the scoops would look too modern on this boat but I guess they look ok...

nice job !!