Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

[Watermann]

Condensed version of this topic:
http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...1970-starcraft-chieftain-io-total-restoration
{Located under the COMPLETED PROJECTS forum}


Only cure for the addiction is another corroded, rotted out, painted over, engine in a basket tub of rivets. Every man's driveway should contain at least one of these monsters.

Stand at attention, heels click together and I salute the brotherhood that is The Starmada!

I fear not the many hours of hard labor she offers in exchange for her loyalty. I will gladly throw myself into the belly of the beast!

 

[pckeen]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

You may need to see a counsellor for your addiction. Trouble is, you won't find one here. I just read your Sea Nymph restoration - love what you did with the paint job, and I look forward to following you through with this one. What do you have for a motor in this?

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

"engine in a basket" :laugh:

What motor is in the basket? A little detailing, duct tape and JB Weld - as good as new.

She looks like a good project, Watermann. Welcome to the Starmada DryDock.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Nice rig Watermann, after you give it the once over, like the SN, it'll serve you well.

You now have small (SN 16') & Med (SC Chief 18' )

Large & XL can't be far behind :watermelon:

Good luck, and w/ a cuddy & the possibility of privacy, the Admiral should be on board w/ this addition. Heck, work it just right & maybe she'll agree: This rig was HER idea

 

[dozerII]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Great looking Chief, and it doesn't have green growth in the bottom and misc yard junk piled in it from the last ten years.

 

[classiccat]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Welcome and congratulations!! Looking forward to seeing what you do with her!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Score!:thumb:

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

The engine in a basket. Actually I got a bin with 2 x 2.5 L Chev (Mercruiser 120). I should have 2 sets of everything but I haven't inventoried the heap yet.

Also in the deal were 3 outdrives.

 

[Streetgang]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Beauty ! Nice find.

Looks like a wide open pallete to work with and I/O to boot.

Trailer looks good, 2 engines, 3 outdrives, Starcraft logo up....I'd say you are in the business my man.

Looking forward to this one.

Congrats H20

 

[classiccat]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

The engine in a basket.

ahhh you meant literally in a basket! I was thinking you invented some clever, new slang for an I/O. :facepalm:

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Went out to start digging around in the boat but that all came to a screeching halt... I seem to have imported at least 10,000 yellow jackets. Their nests are in every nook and cranny the Chief has.

Nice to see there were 2 x 12 gallon aluminum fuel tanks that weren't pilfered by the hordes of metal thieves in my area. I sure hope the bees didn't infest the tanks too.

I got just the ticket x 3... fogger bombs...

Made a tent and set the bombs off underneath. Dang things smell horrible, like cheap aftershave.

I had the strange urge to go... muahahaha .... as I stood by hearing the hissing sound under the tarp...

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

I'm getting an image for a boat name. :joyous: BTW - PETA is on the other line.

There are hives everywhere you look. You're loaded.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Hey PETA can rescue the ones that are still moving their feet while on their backs, maybe some mouth to mouth. It was a good thing it was cool this morning and the bees hadn't started to fly around yet, gave me a chance to combat the swarms. Next problem is how to rid my trailers tubes of them.

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look guys, I appreciate it. I have a feeling I'm going to be needing some big help on this one, especially from those in the know on Mercruisers since I haven't a clue really. Time to start studying up I guess and crack open the manual.

 

[laurentide]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Awesome rig, Watermann! I'm psyched to watch you work on this one. Too bad about the wasps...they're everywhere, huh? Do you know what year the Chief is? It looks like my '74 but has the older (I think) logo plate. Good luck with the Merc.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Thanks Sig, yeah lots of bees, 1000's of them but I got the upper hand I think. The Chief is a 70 and after reading about mercruisers all afternoon my head is spinning and making think I may have bitten off a huge chunk. The restoration is going to take me some time on this one I have a feeling.

 

[Celtichawk]

If your interested in getting rid of one of those lower drive units let me know!!! I have a 120 HP in mine now and right near the propeller on mine its cracked and a chunk missing. However, nothing to be totally worried about more of a visual disturbance! Let me know. California a little far from ya but we could play out the shipping and see.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

Great project. I've been searching for over 2 years and haven't found mine yet.
My wife is happy I'm not restoring another tractor this year so I think a giant Starcraft in the rear yard would make her happy.
Looking forward to following this thread

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

The need for a fix kicked in today, started pulling off parts and pieces from the old Chief. Every screw was corroded and used a straight bit. Most snapped, spun or the slot ripped out. Tons of old rusted out ferrous screws are left to deal with. I had to spray some more yellow jacket nests that were not reached by the fog of death... My fix time was cut short. I can see this is going to be a long haul not a sprint.

I thought after I dug around inside the cabin I would find the hatch for the bow, no such luck it's missing. Any ideas for how to replace it or if there's someone out there who cut open their bow and has one laying around that they don't need.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

That thing's big enough you could chop the cabin out of it and make a nice center console out of it.

 

[Watermann]

Re: Tin addiction 18' Starcraft Chieftain

That thing's big enough you could chop the cabin out of it and make a nice center console out of it.

I thought about that too, but when I mentioned it to the admiral, she got a confused look and asked where she was going to sit. I am considering a double console set up too. Going to go search the forums for someone who converted theirs.