96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

Howdy all, my first "official" post outside the intro thread. 96 Shabah 180 SE - did not come with a depth finder. I'd like to add one and I am wondering if these are made like cars where there's a "cut out" behind the dash and I just need to cut through the face or if I would be shooting in the dark.

Second, opinions on cutting a stock dash of a boat that's obviously rare, or just get an aftermarket job and find a safe place to mount it. (out of the way like)
:yes_grin:

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

I did just that with my '96 180. I used a proper sized hole saw & placed the depth finder just to the right of the fuel gauge. There is room there but there are no cut-outs so i just made sure there was no wiring routed where i was mounting the gauge.

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

Thanks Mikey!

Any other pictures of the dash? I'd like to see how it looks all together and where exactly you placed it.

Thanks again!

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

If you look just thru the steering wheel you can see where i placed the gauge.

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

Did the same as Mikey with a hole saw.

Not a bad job, just be very careful as you will not be able to replace that dashboard.

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

Do you fish at all?
Install a fishfinder if you are nervous about cutting.
Just a thought.

Larry

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

I think I will probably go the route of the fisfinder. I really don't want to modify the dash.

On a side note, we had her out this weekend and the water temperature gauge was not working. Anyone know if it's possible to find replacement gauges that match original or will I need to replace the whole set?

Also, if it's not the gauge, where is the sending unit located on the 4.3 liter engine. I looked up on the top/front of the motor and couldn't find anything on or around the manifold or water passages?

Thanks guys

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

Should be right on the side of the thermostat housing. There is another in the block , but it is the switch for the alarm system in case of overheat(If yours has the alarm option).
Just wondering , did you check and make sure all the fuses are good.
Was the gauge pegged over on the hot side or down on the cold side?

Larry

Re: 96 Shabah SE - cut the dash ?
 

Haven't checked fuses yet, had bigger fish to fry, but it was a concern so I thought I would mention it. It was dead as if unpowered so fuse is a real possibility. I do not have the alarm system.

And if the thermostat is located at the front/top of the block on the intake manifold (as it is on every other chevy motor I have worked on) it is missing, there are a couple of "plugs" there though, so that might be where it should be.

Thanks for the quick response!