255 Liberator Instrument Panel


sprink49

sprink49

New member
I started looking into replacing the original compass as well as renewing all of the gages. I can't figure out how to get to the damn things!! The panel looks to be molded in with no screws or attachments and there is no way I can see to get to the back side...unless by dis-manteling the starboard/aft side of the cabin forward of the helm....and I missing something??

All of the Formula "long decks" (233 Intercepter, 255 Liberator, 302 SR-1, etc.) from the late 70's~early '80's appear to have the same configuration...any one have insight on this?

I looked at my brother's F3 and it has a removable panel....surely there is a way to access the gages short of cutting out the panel.
 
The panel was reachable from ceiling of the cabin in the 1979 233 I used to own. I remember the screws were difficult to locate because of the fluffy fabric in the ceiling but once I found them there was a section that was removable.
 
Thanks....I figured there had to be a way in from the cabin. My issue on the 255 is that I have a nice storage/hanging locker on the starboard side that prevents direct access. I sure would hate to tear the locker out just to get gauge access!!!. I am STRONGLY CONSIDERING cutting the panel out with a Dremel tool and creating a custom one....any thoughts?
 
There's got to be a way to the gauges - is the storage locker an original part? Before starting your Dremel tool, have you checked the "ceiling" of the locker?
 
Klas,

From what I can glean from original brochures...it is...and it has an extra dropped ceiling below the deck...sort of like a self contained box.

Here's what it looks like from the outside...note the total absence of screws.

DSC04977.jpg
 
I didn't have any screws on the outside either, that's why I'd be surprised if they hadn't left a way to the instruments in your boat as well, e.g., through the extra dropped ceiling you mentioned? Or on the side of the box? Hope you find a way to get to them without having to take it all a part using force!
 
As you can see from the photo...the first row is fairly easy to get to from below. However, once you get past the bulkhead that separates the helm from the cabin...there is no way to get to it. I started thinking about how these boats were assembled with the deck being assembled separately from the hull...and the deck being lowered onto the hull after the major components are installed and wired. If all of the furniture modules are installed into the cabin area prior to the deck being lowered onto the hull, then the only way to gain access to the back side of the panel is to remove the hanging locker/closet.....or cut an access hatch from below iside the hanging locker.

I have tried without success to get assembly drawings from Formula for this. My best bet is to talk to someone that has done this. In all seriousness...it maybe much less intense from a labor angle and ultimately yeild a better result to cut carefully and accurately from the top and design a new panel that can be removed and serviced. I think 32 years ago when these boats were designed and built that John Adams the designer had know idea that these old Formulas would still be around and in service in 2011. I think I could come up with something very nice that would allow an updated configuration while maintaining the original appeal of the boat.

Your thoughts...
 
sprink, it might be worth a shot to do a search on the forum under "dash replacement". not too long ago i saw a link where a guy makes custom dashes. possibly he has run into this or a situation similar and could be of help. personally, i like the idea of being able to remove the dash from the top side to be able to service.
 
Hey Tenn...I looked but didn't find anything. I guess I was hoping that there might be some one else on the forum with a 255 L that could shed some light on this.
 
I spoke with Scott Smith at Formula customer service yesterday ...he thinks there is a way to get into the panel from the back side but is not sure. I asked about drawings for pre 1990 boats and he said they are archived and no one has time to go dig out what anyone might need.

I have to say...this is one area where Sea Ray beats the pants off Formula. They have readily available archive drawings of all of their boats back 35+ years. Seems like T-Bird could do a better job with this if they really wanted to.
 
For him to say that "no one has time to dig them out" sends a lousy message. I can't imagine that it would take that long to find the data but then again what do i know ???

In times of a down turn in the economy exemplary customer service isn't an option it is an expectation.

Not a great message Decatur IMO.....
 
Unforgettable said:
For him to say that "no one has time to dig them out" sends a lousy message. I can't imagine that it would take that long to find the data but then again what do i know ???

In times of a down turn in the economy exemplary customer service isn't an option it is an expectation.

Not a great message Decatur IMO.....
Click to expand...

Sometimes much can be learned by looking across the street at what your competition is doing. Sometime go to the Sea Ray site, customer service section and pick a boat that they have built in the past 35 years. You can download owners manuals, service manuals as well as parts manuals that show exploded drawings of every part on the boat and how it was assembled. There is even a breakdown of part numbers....the part might not be available but you can call Sea Ray and they will tell you who the vendor for that part was and how to contact them.

Here is a good example: 1979 360 Express Cruiser http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/Company1729/1C1_23_74DEJAGF501.pdf

I wish we could get this kind of coverage for older Formulas.
 
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