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With my fuel line and rigging hose projects done, I stumbled on to another repair. My 704 binnacle is loose. On inspection, I have lost a nut on one bolt and the others are loose. I went to pull the cover to get at the top of the bolt but the cover screws are frozen. My guess is no one opened the cover for many years.

The cover screws into the frame of the control. The frame is bolted to the console.

The cover screws are pan head and there is no clearance to spray PB Blaster to get them to loosen. I would use heat but the cover appears to be plastic.

Photo Attached below.

Would you:

1) cut off the heads of the screws with a dremel then remove/replace the screws?

OR

2) unbolt the entire throttle box from inside the console to gain access to the cover screw threads and apply the frozen bolt technique?

OR

3) Take your stimulus rebate and buy a new control ($500)

Thanks

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I say save the rebate check.

I'd unbolt the whole thing (option2) if not too terribly difficult, as trying that at least gives you a shot at a non-destructive solution. I guess you won't know what kind of access you have until you peek back there. You always have option 1 as a last resort.