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    Add oil to gas with a working VROII pump 1985 Johnson 90hp

    I ran my boat with its 1985 90HP Johnson all last year without trouble. The alarm for the pump did go off a couple times but it always quits after a second or two and the motor has run great. I just started it up today for the first time this year and again that alarm went off after it had run...
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    1985 90hp alarm went off....questions

    1985 90hp with working updated VRO. I haven't used the boat for a few weeks and my son and I went fishing today. I put the boat in the water and primed the fuel and started it up. As we idled away from the very busy launch the alarm started beeping. I had to go at a slow speed for a bit to clear...
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    Spare prop, anyone carry one?

    I have never carried a spare prop, but I have been advised more than once that it's a good idea to carry a prop and the tools to swap it out. For my old Johnson 90, it's not a big expense and I use aluminum props. If I smashed into the rocks like my buddy did last week, I don't know if I could...
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    Timing questions and worries

    I have been out on the lake 3 times this week in my new to me 1984 Starcraft tinny with its 1984 90hp V4. When I got the boat the original owner had his ranch mechanic change the plugs and "clean" the carbs" along with drive seals. It wasn't running very good so I rebuilt the carbs and now it...
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    purchasing a manual on-line

    I would like to buy a factory service manual for my 1984 90hp. I've searched and ended up in some weird trade sites that have endless pop ups and advertising. Anyone have a name of a reputable on-line company? I don't mind a download at all as I can take the laptop to the garage :)
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    1 lost rivet = lots of water

    I finally got to splash my new to me Starcraft ss 160 tinny. I was surprised to see at least a gallon drain out when I pulled the transom plug. Maybe more. When I got home I took a good look at the bottom of the boat and found one rivet broken off the keel strip and water dripping. I pushed the...
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    Greasy sludge dripping

    I rebuilt the carbs on my 1984 90 hp today. Runs great now but I notice greasy black sludge dripping out of the prop and down behind the prop. It's not gear oil. I did spill some fuel in the upper when removing the carbs. I've never had a two stroke make this kind of mess. I noticed a lot of...
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    Mystery rubber gasket after lower unit installation.

    I finished up installing a new water pump kit into the lower unit on my 1984 90hp. The only glitch was finding a thick rubber gasket binding up the shift rod were it goes into the cover. I pulled it out with a bicycle spoke but I have no idea where it goes. I really don't want to pull the lower...
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    Compression readings on my 1984 90hp

    Last night I rebuilt the carbs on my 1984 90hp as it was would not idle. Now it starts instantly with a touch of the key. The idle is good now but I'm not sure if this V4 is supposed to shake a bit at idle. It certainly is smoother than my old merc tower of power and my 40hp Johnson but it does...
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    Permatex weatherstrip adhesive substitute for 847 on waterpump?

    I am going to be doing my water pump tomorrow. I bought the complete kit for $100 from the dealer but I cannot find any 3M 847 adhesive. The closest thing I could find was Permatex weatherstrip adhesive. Which is waterproof, fuel proof and resistant to solvents. Am I risking disaster? I also...
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    Factory fuel line zip ties

    I am just finishing up rebuilding the two carbs on my 1984 90hp. I had to cut the factory zip ties off the lines going to the bowls. What is the appropriate replacement? Try to install my own zip tie? Fuel line clamp? A clamp would be a nightmare to get to if it started leaking. I guess a zip...
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    Converting roller to bunks, worth the trouble?

    I just bought an older 16 ft aluminum Starcraft. It has a roller trailer. All the rollers are in good shape, but decades of riding around have left bare spots and shallow dents in the hull. I've used both types of trailers before and I actually liked being able to stay dry while launching or...
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    My 1984 Starcraft 160 SS

    Just got this home today. Lots of tinkering yet to come but this boat is very solid one owner. I think it will be a fine multi purpose boat. Already moved the winch post forward as the trailer had nearly no tongue weight. This boat was always stored indoors. Floor is perfect, transom is dry. I...
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    1984 SS 160...to much $$$$?

    I am seriously considering this boat for $6000. It is very solid and original owner. Where I live boats like this are hard to find. But even in beautiful original shape is it worth $6000? I know I could dump 2k into and interior resto, but this one needs nothing...
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    1984 Johnson 90 reliability?

    I am thinking about buying an older Starcraft with a Johnson 90. The boat and motor are both from 84 or 85. Original owner since new and he says not that much use as he lives so far north. Anyway, it still runs the original VRO system. Are these a reliable older motor?
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    Back on the water

    After selling my big, new, Starcraft Islander I decided to go the el-cheapo route to get back on the water. Not because I'm cheap, but because I wanted less work and worry. Big boats are big work and I was always fretting about scuffing up my new boat. Since 80% of the time I am by myself...
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    New tow rig

    I bought a new 2015 Ford F350 6.7 diesel last month. Then I sold my big boat. Oh well, I have other heavier junk to drag around. With 860 foot pounds at 1400rpm and 440hp I guess I won't even know my little 16ft 40hp tinny is back there.
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    Never trust "I just repacked the bearings" when buying a boat.

    I bought a small 16 foot aluminum fishing boat last week. The seller was a nice fellow. When I asked him about the trailer bearings he told me he just repacked them last year. And its only been to the lake 4 times since. After thinking about this for a while I decided to jack it up and see if...
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    1995 Johnson 40hp trim oil questions

    I have searched but I have been unable to find out what kind of oil I should add to the trim/tilt unit. Dexron? I have Mercruiser trim oil also. I assume the three plugs on the unit are the release and the drain and fill? I just bought this little 16ft fishing boat and this motor seems in very...
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    Selling my boat :(

    I have been throwing around the idea of selling my Starcraft Islander for a while. I think someone is coming to buy it today. I'm really torn up about this. I bought this boat new in 2011 and its been my baby. And I had a lot of plans. But my crew (two sons) have become young men and one is in...
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