Was just given a Starcraft, help with identity.

shaw520

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I dont have a pic YET,... because when I went to pulled the tarp off I was attacked by yellow jackets,.. nailed me (3) times before I could run clear.
What I know so far;
Its a closed bow fiberglass hull with windshield (short nose)
its 21ft I/O mercruiser
The donor has told me that its a 1979' with a fresh 283 chev small block mercruiser, but I dont recall mercruiser ever using 283's, Outdrive and gimbal look to be in decent shape as does the hull, boat was properly stored with cover and bow elevated,... transom seams solid, trailer is good...pics to follow in (2) days. My guess is that the aluminum hull SC's are much more desirable,...is that true?
I dont know if Ill restore this one or break it down to parts,.. I have a pretty decent collection of Alpha 1 parts going on and all these parts can be saved for my 280 Sundancer w/twin 5.0 alpha's or my 230 Weekender 5.7.
So,... anyone want to take a guess at what is hidden under bee riddled tarp ?
 

Watermann

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Yeah around these parts the AL SC boats are highly desired and sought after. I've seen some super nice glass ones too but they don't have a following.

1979 is pre-alpha and you're right 5.0L and 5.7L are the SBC Merc used no 283's.
 

Watermann

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I forgot about the question :lol:

I hope what you have is a SC American, now those do have a following. I doubt they ever made one that was 21' long though 18 and 20'rs.



784.jpg
 

Watermann

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So someone put a 15 year old motor in a 79 boat? All the parts would fit I guess but why? It would be easier to find a 5.7 in that era I would think.
 

shaw520

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So someone put a 15 year old motor in a 79 boat? All the parts would fit I guess but why? It would be easier to find a 5.7 in that era I would think.
Why would I do that,.. according to the po this is a freshly rebuilt 283 with no known issues ( we shall see),.... the only issues I anticipate are probably going to be hull related.
 

GA_Boater

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Or its a case of a seller not knowing what he has. A rare occurrence, but it happens. :rolleyes:
 

shaw520

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Here it is,.its a 1969 Starcraft Suncruiser with 160 Mercruiser (inline Chev 6cyl) one of my favorite engines. Freshly rebuilt, oil looks brand new, I will have it running by the weekend !!

..
 

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shaw520

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This just got more interesting, did a search and came up with this,... its the SAME boat apparently was being sold sometime in the past. How do I know its the same boat? Look at the sticker on the dash above the gauges ! I cant find a date on the for sale listing,.. but Id love to know when this was.


http://www.antiqueboatamerica.com/ab...t&BoatId=28787
 
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GA_Boater

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I don't think that is the same boat, Shaw. Similar, but I don't see the sticker above the gauges in the ABA pics and many other differences.

There is some slight of hand with your boat. A straight six looks just like a V8. :facepalm:

How is the deck and transom? What plans do have for her?
 

GA_Boater

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BTW - The other boat was sold or offered for auction on 8/6/16.
 

shaw520

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No slight of hand GA,... the boat was free,... the guy I got it from inherited it from his recently deceased dad, he was telling me about it over the phone to the best of his recollection,.. apparently his recollection wasnt good. But Im totally pleased with it, I had (2) straight sixes in (2) previous boats and they are sweet runners. This one was recently rebuilt bc I can see all new gaskets on all the mating surfaces. Oil and spark plugs looks new too, I pulled the plugs and put Marvel in all cylinders to let sit for a few days, that and a good carb cleaning before I try turning it over.
I see what you mean about it being a different boat then the auction boat, there are some differences on the dash, and the fuel tank are different,... just very ironic the both came from H Chalk & Son in Fisherman Landing !
Floor and transom are solid, looks like the floor was redone recently, new FG on floor and in bilge area, transom is real solid, I also stood on the outdrive and zero flex. The guys thinks he has the paper work and I beleive Im going to restore it.
Some more Pics
 

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shaw520

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She got a bubble bath today,... So far its going to need seats and carpet, floor feels solid but will know better when I peel the carpet up,.. Marvel is in the cylinders doing its job, I will drain fuel tanks and carb this weekend, put it on a can of fresh gas and try and start her.
 

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shaw520

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Some progress today, pulled all six plugs and got her spinning over with the ignition key, compression test showing 120-122 psi in all cylinders EXCEPT cyl #3,.. could only get it up to 98 psi,.. do you guys think this is an issue to worry about ?
Anyways, I have spark at the plugs, but I wont try starting it because the inside of the carb resembled a dried up oasis in the desert,.. so I will be ordering a carb kit for a 2 jet, the only numbers I can find on the carb is a sticker on the bowl side saying ('MC-02 QUALITY REMANUFACTURED 3/20/07-21') ...so if anyone one can help me with finding the rebuild kit for this carb Id be greatful. I had pic and video of the engine and compression test,.. but for the 2nd time in 1 yr my nice new Samsung S6 has crapped the bed. (I will never buy another Samsung product ever, product and customer service has been horrid !!!!!, but Ill save that for the rant forum.

update; I believe this is the correct kit
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carb-Kit-Ro...ash=item41b31c383e:g:wdsAAOSwLF1X2pve&vxp=mtr
 
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Watermann

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Well that low cylinder is a bummer, it means failure is on the horizon and do you want to put money into the motor is the question. Maintenance parts are fairly cheap so if it were me I would run it until it goes and all the while keep my eye out for another motor.
 

shaw520

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Why do you say Failure is on the horizon ? please elaborate.
 

jbcurt00

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1 low compression cylinder, slightly more then twice the usual guideline:

Compression #s all w/in 10% of each other

For your 120 (+/-)psi the lowest should be no lower then 108psi. Yours have a 19.7% variation.
 

shaw520

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....are we keeping in mind here that this is a fresh rebuild that has been sitting for about 5 yrs,..so cylinder/ring wear is not the cause,.. this is the first time the engine has cycled in 5 yrs,... Im thinking more like a sticky ring or sticky valve,... both of which may free up upon a warm up heat cycle.
 
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