Starcraft Islander project

[bigdirty]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

I can test the engine just as easily on an engine stand as I can with it in the boat.

Bah, just set it on some 6x6 blocks of wood and fire it up :lol:

And yes, its like manufacturers just buy bulk boxes of X length bolts, and use them everywhere for everything.. :facepalm:

 

[snal]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

My friend came by this morning to check out the outdrive. For some "internal" reason, she won't go into forward gear. We eliminated the cables from the equation and she still won't go.
Time to pull the engine, then pull the outdrive as a unit.
So, his advice is to look for a 1991-up Alpha 1 gen 2.

I'll test the engine before I start looking for an Alpha.

 

[bigdirty]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

My friend came by this morning to check out the outdrive. For some "internal" reason, she won't go into forward gear. We eliminated the cables from the equation and she still won't go.
Time to pull the engine, then pull the outdrive as a unit.
So, his advice is to look for a 1991-up Alpha 1 gen 2.

I'll test the engine before I start looking for an Alpha.

Might have to give the prop a few spins to get things moving for it to go into gear.. and it needs to be in 'forward' to pull the drive off anyway, which I would try to do FIRST; you may have a bit of trouble trying to pull the engine first, as the drive shaft goes into the bell housing and then into splines on the coupler which is bolted to the ring gear/crank shaft...

 

[snal]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Might have to give the prop a few spins to get things moving for it to go into gear.. and it needs to be in 'forward' to pull the drive off anyway, which I would try to do FIRST; you may have a bit of trouble trying to pull the engine first, as the drive shaft goes into the bell housing and then into splines on the coupler which is bolted to the ring gear/crank shaft...

We tried spinning the prop, and my friend tried to engage it back at the outdrive somehow. It never would go in gear.

The engine came out first easily. The back 2 engine mount bolts were a bear to get out though. Once loose...I barely took the weight off with my overhead crane and simply slid the engine forward about 5" and lifted her out of the boat.
The transom plate/outdrive bolts came out fairly easily, but one of the bottom bolts broke.
There's a lot of pitting in the aluminum where the outdrive was. One spot is corroded so bad there's a hole all the way through.
I have the transom wood out now as well. It was it much worse shape than it appeared. It's barely in tact enough to use as a template.
All of the crap associated with the outdrive operation looked like it was way more complicated than it needed to be, and most of the wiring to that stuph was already loose when I got the boat, so it would be a nightmare for me to figure it all out.

Pics to follow.
Maybe the newer Alpha gen2 stuph is less mind boggling...idunno.

 

[snal]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

 

[bigdirty]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

We tried spinning the prop, and my friend tried to engage it back at the outdrive somehow. It never would go in gear.

The engine came out first easily. The back 2 engine mount bolts were a bear to get out though. Once loose...I barely took the weight off with my overhead crane and simply slid the engine forward about 5" and lifted her out of the boat.
The transom plate/outdrive bolts came out fairly easily, but one of the bottom bolts broke.

Right, cause theres nothing in front of your motor.. :facepalm: :lol: Ya, those bolts corrode over time, i've broke a few over the years.. not too pricey to replace, but you could get lucky and re-use the ones from the yet to be purchased doner boat perhaps.. I'd suggest reinstalling the engine first though, upon reassembly of the boat.

..All of the crap associated with the outdrive operation looked like it was way more complicated than it needed to be, and most of the wiring to that stuph was already loose when I got the boat, so it would be a nightmare for me to figure it all out.

Pics to follow.
Maybe the newer Alpha gen2 stuph is less mind boggling...idunno.

Not the be the bearer of bad news but... well, all that 'crap' is just whats required :laugh: and the gen 2 is not a whole lot different, there are a few differing width and shapes of transom inner plates, and the alpha castings are a bit beefier with bigger trim cyls but over all its all direct swap-able.

 

[snal]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Not the be the bearer of bad news but... well, all that 'crap' is just whats required :laugh: and the gen 2 is not a whole lot different, there are a few differing width and shapes of transom inner plates, and the alpha castings are a bit beefier with bigger trim cyls but over all its all direct swap-able.

I did find an Alpha Gen2 today on CL. It looks like new in the pics...(LOL!) Called the guy, and he also has everything else. Transom plate, gimble housing, TnT pump and bracket...the whole 9 yards for $1500 for everything. It's a 1.84 VS my 1.87 drive...close enough.

Mercruiser Alpha One Gen II Outdrive (low hours) (great condition) ***

 

[bigdirty]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Everything for $1500? That is not a bad score man... ya, looks good in the pics.. clean, new u joints, prop may not be the right pitch you need for your boat in the end, but you can always sell off a decent stainless prop without too much hassle..

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Or you could throw in a few hundred bux more an buy yourself a whole donor boat with everything included. Like a nice 4.3 V6 maybe:thumb:

 

[Watermann]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Jeez you sure tore into her today, that's a bunch of tough work behind you, now for the clean up. I remember you saying this in an earlier post...

"I gotta stop looking at the other Starcraft restorations on here...especially those where EVERY RIVET was removed....LOL!"

Welcome to the club buddy snal!

A couple things, the pitting around the keyhole can be easily repaired with MT or JB and sanded smooth for the seal. Remove that transom Z bracket, it's going to be a nasty mess behind it and full of corrosion.

Nice find on the A1 Gen 2.

 

[old islander]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

That transom came out "clean" compared to what most on here deal with. Most break off the entire bottom half just trying to get it to come loose. The bottom studs on an MC1 as old as yours or mine never come out without breaking off. My 77 islander spent it's entire life in fresh water. I broke both of them.

 

[snal]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Jeez you sure tore into her today, that's a bunch of tough work behind you, now for the clean up. I remember you saying this in an earlier post...

"I gotta stop looking at the other Starcraft restorations on here...especially those where EVERY RIVET was removed....LOL!"

Welcome to the club buddy snal!

A couple things, the pitting around the keyhole can be easily repaired with MT or JB and sanded smooth for the seal. Remove that transom Z bracket, it's going to be a nasty mess behind it and full of corrosion.

Nice find on the A1 Gen 2.

You mean the bottom Z bracket that the wood rests in? Oh boy...if I need to remove that then I hope those blind rivets are as good as they say they are...LOL!
What is "MT" ?

 

[snal]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

That transom came out "clean" compared to what most on here deal with. Most break off the entire bottom half just trying to get it to come loose. The bottom studs on an MC1 as old as yours or mine never come out without breaking off. My 77 islander spent it's entire life in fresh water. I broke both of them.

I took my forklift and stuck one fork into the outdrive hole...placed a 8" long piece of 2x2 square tube on top of the fork and up against the wood...lifted to break loose from the nest and out she came.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

I took my forklift and stuck one fork into the outdrive hole...placed a 8" long piece of 2x2 square tube on top of the fork and up against the wood...lifted to break loose from the nest and out she came.

Brute force always works. And Sometimes it doesn't. Actually your method was kind of ingenious.

MT is Marine-Tex, here: Marine-Tex Epoxy Putty

 

[snal]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Brute force always works. And Sometimes it doesn't. Actually your method was kind of ingenious.

MT is Marine-Tex, here: Marine-Tex Epoxy Putty

Only if you actually have a forklift...LOL!

Thanks for the tip...MT looks like the ticket!

 

[theoldwizard1]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Or you could throw in a few hundred bux more an buy yourself a whole donor boat with everything included. Like a nice 4.3 V6 maybe:thumb:

Do old rotten plastic boats really sell for around 2K ? With a good engine and outdrive that is a steal !

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Du old rotten plastic boats really sell for around 2K ? With a good engine and outdrive that is a steal !

Oh youbettcha. The hunt is a challenge no doubt, but they are out there. The trick is to find that nasty glasser out there that is all trashed, looks terrible, nobody else will buy it, owner has left it out...

BUT!

Has somehow/someway winterized and completed at least minimal work to maintain the engine.

The Merc V6, Merc V8 and Evinrude 90 drivelines I pulled out/off of donor boats were all between $1100 and $1800. That's complete with all the necessary stuff to run (controls, transom assemblies, yada), plus good trailers to boot.

:thumb:

 

[dozerII]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Great looking Islander snal, by the looks of some of that corrosion you will be busy for a while.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Oh youbettcha. The hunt is a challenge no doubt, but they are out there. The trick is to find that nasty glasser out there that is all trashed, looks terrible, nobody else will buy it, owner has left it out...

BUT!

Has somehow/someway winterized and completed at least minimal work to maintain the engine.

The Merc V6, Merc V8 and Evinrude 90 drivelines I pulled out/off of donor boats were all between $1100 and $1800. That's complete with all the necessary stuff to run (controls, transom assemblies, yada), plus good trailers to boot.

:thumb:

Yeah a good donor is the ticket to tin bliss!

My donor is a 1988 Chris Craft with a sweet 4 bbl 205 HP Alpha One V6 that was very well cared for as was the drive line. Good power steering, good throttle controls, good gauges, poly belly tank, stainless rub rail, CD player, new seats, new bow cushions, SS cleats, teak swim ladder/platform, 30 gallons of fresh non ethanol premium all on a nice bunk trailer with brand new tires. Cost? $2,300. :thumb:

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Starcraft Islander project

Do old rotten plastic boats really sell for around 2K ? With a good engine and outdrive that is a steal !

Even less than 2K. All it takes is a PO'ed wife to create a motivated seller.