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I am hoping that with a couple of pictures we might clear some things up for me and many others. I have a guy coming tomorrow to do some glass repairs on my 1974 Montauk hull. The motor is off, 1984 90 HP Evinrude V4.

The motor was mounted all the way down and sitting directly on top of the transom. They used what I believe is referred to as the "Blind Holes" for the lower bolts and these lower bolts are accessible in the splash well. In the photo you can also see where a previous motor used a lower hole that is plugged.

I plan to mount my motor at least 2 holes up on the top bolts when I reinstall it.

I believe I will then have to plug the lower bolt "Blind" holes and drill new holes to use the bracket lower slot.

Hopefully with these pictures Joe and Tom might be able to explain the correct holes that we should be using.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/Gamalot/Boat/DSCN1693.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/Gamalot/Boat/DSCN1691.jpg[/IMG]

The space between the top and lower bolts right now is exactly 6 inches center to center.

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Yes, you need to fill those two lower bolts holes. They are for the "Blind" or "Auxiliary" bolt holes used on many older motors.

Once those holes are filled, you just drill two new holes in the transom that are 6-1/2" below the upped holes and spaced 9-7/8" apart.

All of this is shown and explained in this article:

http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=82

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Thank you Tom. That article is the one I am going by but it appears there is so much confusion about this.

Am I correct that my motor should be up 2 holes or in the third hole from the top? I believe this raises my motor 1.5 inches and is the recommended height.

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I do not understand where the confusion comes from, especially given the clear drawing presented, but I acknowledge that folks continue to be confused by this.

I suppose we need to do a better job of communicating this simple idea.

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I don't have any confusion but a couple of current threads as well as some ignorant dealers certainly seem to have issues with this.

I think we all need to acknowledge that many dealers are far from experts in these matters. Just look at all the 17 hulls with the motors mounted all the way down for the proof. This was probably the standard back in the day but we have certainly proven there is a better way.

A point in fact is my own "Dealer Mounted" second motor that I am in the process of correcting right now. With the existing holes in the pictures above my motor is a full half an inch off center and to the starboard side. I have all the holes filled now and will be re-drilling all new mounting holes tomorrow. Apparently the dealer used the drain tubes as his center guide and BW was off center a little on those as well.

I just finished making a paper template I will tape in place to mark the exact center with the top bolts at 2 inches down from the top of the ledge and 12 7/8 inches apart. The lower holes will be 6 1/2 inches below the top and 9 7/8 inches apart. It does appear the drill will have to be angled a bit up to hit fully in the splash well allowing room for bolt insertion and a large washer.

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If you have the luxury of being able to drill four new holes, avoid angling the lower bolt holes by drilling the upper bolt holes a little higher than 1-3/4" below the top of the transom.

You could move the centers up to 1-1/2" or even 1-1/4" without giving up any strength at all and it would allow full large washers to be used on the lower bolts.

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I will do that Tom. I consider it more of a necessity than a luxury.

I am sure that the motor being off center would have to have some sort of ill effect.