18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Got the carbs rebuilt. The older johnson carbs are VERY easy to rebuild. It was a definate need on one especially. Someone had done a partial rebuild on one. It looked like they split a kit between the two. INSANE i know, but they're done now. One needle valve seat was ruined, but we're good to go now. I have put most of the power trim together. I have to put a couple of o-rings and rewire the PT&T motor. I had to tap out the inlet in one cylinder and modify a stainless line, but it's all coming together. Once i get her all powered out, i'll begin to work on the wood.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Sounds like you had a good day there Brad . I still have to do the carbs aand impeller on my Merc once I get mine to that point.


Rick

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Sounds like you had a good day there Brad . I still have to do the carbs aand impeller on my Merc once I get mine to that point.


Rick

You're much further along on the hull than i am. I am approaching it from the power source forward. Again, funds are low so i may power it out and begin the hull work in the spring. I have all of the wood so i will probably get it ready to put in after the paint. I saw pics of the RED paint today and it looks good.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Thanks Brad . My boat funds are a little low at the moment myself . I pretty much had the month of July off due to perfect 70* weather for most of the month but things have turned around due to a flood and semi normal heat again .


Rick

 

[sschefer]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Hey guys, I did something cool too...LOL... I tested my temp alarm system. Now that the lower unit has all but completely failed on the old Mariner.. Oh yeah, yet another Mariner problem... anyway... I fired it up in the yard with no muffs no water no nuthin... I had a multi meter on the temp sensor and had the specs for when I should get an audible. The sensor was dead on and the module alarmed exactly when it should have. So there's at least two good parts to sell on Ebay!

Here's the shocker... You've all read the severe warnings about how you need to change your impeller if you run it dry even for a few seconds... Well I think that information is more fiction than fact. My impeller was in perfect shape when I took it out and it took nearly 10 minutes for my engine to over heat at idle. The mold marks from when it was made were still visible on the ends of fins and there was no other damage of any type. Any wear that was on it was probably from the 30 hours I've put on the engine since I last changed it.

So are you shocked at this amazing revelation.... yeah, didn't think so....

ROFLOL.. It was pretty cool letting the Mariner go like that.... Danged thing is possessed.. It's never been more than half alive but it refuses to just lay down and die.

E-Tec please hurry up and get here........ 1 more week... I'm counting the minutes.

 

[montanahusker]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Hi brobrad,

Looks like you will have a great boat when you are done! When you parted out the other boat did you have a stern mast light??? I am looking for one from the '60s' starcrafts.
Thanks, Al

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Hi brobrad,

Looks like you will have a great boat when you are done! When you parted out the other boat did you have a stern mast light??? I am looking for one from the '60s' starcrafts.
Thanks, Al

Thank Al. I did not have a light, I have one good stern corner piece and some aluminum side rails, but that' about it. Sorry i couldn't help.

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Where's the best place to get a switch for the trim. It had a three way toggle switch on it. I think i would have a 3 way 3 pole rocker with Momentarily on/ off/ Momentarily on type set up. Also i need other electrical components including a tach for my old 115 johnson.

I found the old bow light for my starcraft tucked away in a cubby hole in the boat. It has a small piece broken off of the from, but it's not too bad. It looks like it would be in the way of a bow anchor though??? I'm considering adding a power anchor set up on the bow, but conserned it might take away from th "origianal" look!

 

[montanahusker]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

As far as the lights go I think it might be required by the USCG on the larger boats. Someone with more knowledge then me could answer that or check the USCG regulations.
Al

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Bow and stern lights are required, but are fairly cheap replacements...
The 3 way switch can be found on eeekbay or cl...
you can't use a toggle, the trim buttons has 3, and you need to hold up & traler at the same time to raise the od all the way up.
It overides the trim limit switch when you press both

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Brad,

I have an extra bow light , what pc is broken? as far as the trim tilt, I bought a new mercruiser unit for $80 on ebay.

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Brad,

I have an extra bow light , what pc is broken? as far as the trim tilt, I bought a new mercruiser unit for $80 on ebay.

Its the front portion that divides one of the lenses in half. Plus, one of the lenses is broken. I'll have to go back home and check it out to be sure which side, but i believe it is th red side.

Brad

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Fun, Fun, Fun,

I got my buddy to fix the hose he manufactored wrong. Went on great. I noticed that the cylinder on the side opposite trim pump will freely move up and down while the other takes a lot of force. I'm guessing a seal may be gone. Someone really messed the top cap up and i'm unable to spend the time needed to get it off. I did notice that the two cylinders are made very differently. The problem is with the one with the sending unit. The connection for the sensor was broken and i was told i didn't need it anyway. Unfortunately i broke the fitting off flush with the cylinder. I did get it out, but its an odd thread and i can't simply plug it. I may be better to locate a whole new cylinder? Any suggestions.

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Well the hole in the cylinder was tube thread. I got it plugged off an filled with fluid. After i got all of the air out of system, it worked great. It took a while but both cylinders actuated and retracted. I'm not sure just how much fluid should be in the pump. It would seem that it would only be level with the fill plug, but i had it on its side when i filled it. PROBLEM--- Once i got it on the motor, it would only actuate up a about 15 degrees and stop. Once the power was shut off to the trim pump it would descend back down??? I pulled the fill plug and oil would come out. Could having it too full be causing a problem.

the man i bought the motor from said that it had been rebuilt, but i have found to be false!!! I may have to pull it all off and rebuild the whole thing. Any suggestions there?

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Okay, Does anyone need a good 115 Johson. I think i'm gonna go with an inboard. This trim thing is not going to work out. I need a good source on a 2.5 or a 3.0 mercruiser. Any references on some good salavage yards would be appreciated.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Brad my suggestion just get rid of all that Power crap and run it the old way . Once you get your trim worked out on her you really shouldnt have to mess with it so the only reaally good thing I can think of with aa power setup is getting the motor up into trailer mode .


Rick

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Brad my suggestion just get rid of all that Power crap and run it the old way . Once you get your trim worked out on her you really shouldnt have to mess with it so the only reaally good thing I can think of with aa power setup is getting the motor up into trailer mode .


Rick

Yes, it would be fine for lakes. However, i want to fish the Mississippi gulf coast. To get to the good red fish, flounder and specs you gotta go through the shallows. With tidal rise and fall you can get in some trouble. As far as run out you can set it and forget it.

I am pondering the I/O setup largely due to fuel economy and reliablity. I'm mechanically inclined enough to rebuild the 3.0 though i want to get on in good shape. I've just got to sell a few other things before i can progress with anything that major just yet.

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Okay, I need Help. I've found a 1982 merc 3.0 complete that needs a rebuild, but i have a guy telling me it would be way too much trouble to switch over to the I/O setup. I know i'd have to redo the transon (actually i already have the customized cap pieace and would just rivet it in) and figure out the motor supports, but is there any advice on this from anyone????

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Brad,

The motor support thing is a non issue, and I could send you a template for cutting the hole, It really isn't much to mount one.

 

[brobrad]

Re: 18' Starcraft Starchief Restoration

Brad,

The motor support thing is a non issue, and I could send you a template for cutting the hole, It really isn't much to mount one.

Would i have a problem with the Knee, and would the transom wood be built essentially the same???