1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, Wood.

When I retired, I dodged a major bullet; the rest of my unit got laid off three months later. So there's that, and I've had a great year to rest & recover (partially!) from 31+ years of the BS of a civil service job. I was planning to look for something to get me out of the house more this winter, but the opportunity arose now so I had to take it. I'd be out in the boat working today if it weren't raining.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I was planning to look for something to get me out of the house more this winter, but the opportunity arose now so I had to take it.

Well I'm glad it isn't because you spent all your money on red paint

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Well I'm glad it isn't because you spent all your money on red paint

Ha! No, just most of it!

Actually my boat budget is doing pretty well. My next and I hope last major expense will be getting a lift to put by the dock next year. A few years before I retired, I started selling on ebay like a madman to fund this "retirement" project & did pretty well. But ebay has taken a dive just like everytning else. The last bunch of stuff I sold wasn't nearly as profitable as before.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The big moment: and it didn't start!

I checked over the starting instructions in the manual after priming the oil pump and gas, running pre-mix for this first start.

System check operated as it should, & the starter engaged but it was a no go. It petered out right away. I checked the plugs and they are wet with gas, battery voltage is still @ 12v, & more than enough cranking amps for this motor. When it quits after a second or two, the starter does not disengage. Should I still suspect the battery I wonder?

A few pics and a video:

I don't remember where I got this some time ago, but I thought it would be great for the boat: (Obnoxious, yet charming)...

My super-duper test garbage can, complete with spigot drain:

"The video" (starring my son's voice, who wanted to be present for the big moment---Ha!:



The starter not disengaging after turning the key off:

I'm charging the battery overnight & I'll give it another shot in the morning. It does sound to me like it's weak.

 

[parrisw]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Yes, you don't have enough battery juice! What kind of batter? How many cranking amps? Don't worry about the starter just yet, with full power and if it starts it should kick out.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The big moment: and it didn't start!

OH NO!!!! You know it's something simple. Hope the re-charge works. Got the safety lanyard in place? I never had one, so I don't know if it would crank without it or just not start.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Yes, you don't have enough battery juice! What kind of batter? How many cranking amps? Don't worry about the starter just yet, with full power and if it starts it should kick out.

My battery has 535 cranking amps, the minimum required is 360. It's an Ever Start, isn't that the brand WM sells?

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

OH NO!!!! You know it's something simple. Hope the re-charge works. Got the safety lanyard in place? I never had one, so I don't know if it would crank without it or just not start.

You're right, it won't start without the lanyard in place, but it was engaged. It does sound just like a car when it doesn't have quite enough juice. I may have had my test meter set wrong, when I changed the setting it only read 9v, and that sure won't do it. It's raining this morning

but it looks like the battery took a charge & I'll try again as soon as I can.

 

[boatnut74]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Yep, everstart is what wally world sells. Give it a good charge and try it again, I ran into a similiar situation earlier this year. The boat looks awesome btw.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Thanks, I'm so-oooo close! Once the motor is in order, there are just a few minor details to deal with. Like an anchor, registration numbers, fire extinguisher etc. All the small stuff.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Those motors need to hit a certain RPM with the starter to even think about starting. You're not even close with that battery. I wonder if it's shot? I bought a WAY overkill sized one for mine as BassPro last year when it was on sale and man you should hear that thing crank! You need to have the warm up lever up, and be pushing the key in while starting it. When it fires you will probably still need to push the key a bit till it gets going well.

 

[parrisw]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

My battery has 535 cranking amps, the minimum required is 360. It's an Ever Start, isn't that the brand WM sells?

Yet that should be enough. I put a GR27 battery in mine, but I'm also starting a 115. How old is the battery?

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Yet that should be enough. I put a GR27 battery in mine, but I'm also starting a 115. How old is the battery?

The battery was in the boat when I bought it 2 years ago -- just checked the sales slip that is in a pouch on the side of the batt. -- 9 years old! Ha! Time for a new battery I think.

 

[erwinner]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Hope that takes care of the problem! Love your project so far.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

SUCCESS! WOO HOO!

After an overnight charge, it fired right up. Here's a video. Wish I had better quality but it's made with a point & shoot still camera and very hard to see what you're shooting with the reflections on the LCD.



It's definitely not ready to hit the water yet, several problems. Gotta adjust the fast idle speed lever, on the first attempt it immediately revved up to 4000+ RPM with the lever all the way up so I shut it down after about 1 sec. I put the lever partially up on subsequent starts.

Other problems:

It will run for a few minutes, then just stops...not getting gas. The hose is brand new, hooked up the right way, but it will not hold a prime. Could most likely be the old gas tank maybe? Wonder if I need a more modern tank. I'll have to hit the manual on this.

On a later attempt, I kept squeezing the bulb every couple minutes and it ran longer, but eventually, the NO OIL alarm went off. I primed it per instructions, but will have to reprime and see if that will do it. I know it wasn't doing any of this stuff when I bought it because I picked it up only a day or two after I test drove it.

At any rate, I'm PLEASED AS PUNCH that it started!!!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Hope that takes care of the problem! Love your project so far.

Thanks....that takes care of one problem anyway!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Glad you got it running. I wouldn't mess with my warm up lever. Just don't raise it all the way. Mine will also pretty much blow up if you start it with the lever all the way up. Just don't do that I think you may need a fuel pump rebuild. Or maybe your tank isn't venting properly.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Glad you got it running. I wouldn't mess with my warm up lever. Just don't raise it all the way. Mine will also pretty much blow up if you start it with the lever all the way up. Just don't do that I think you may need a fuel pump rebuild. Or maybe your tank isn't venting properly.

As I recall, a few years ago I put Mercury connections on a hose and tried to run my 10 hp Merc from that tank and it did the same thing. Since the Johnson ran fine on the test drive, I might have to try a new tank first I think. Regarding the lever, anything I don't have to mess with is great with me!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

A 9 year old battery took a charge and started her up!!!! That battery needs to go to the Battery Hall Of Fame and you need a new one - LOL. Sounds like you have a vent prob with the old tank. You might get splashed before your nine weeks of full time work starts. A BIG thumbs up, LL

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

A 9 year old battery took a charge and started her up!!!! That battery needs to go to the Battery Hall Of Fame and you need a new one - LOL. Sounds like you have a vent prob with the old tank. You might get splashed before your nine weeks of full time work starts. A BIG thumbs up, LL

Yup...It runs the lights pretty good though! At least it will earn me 5 bucks when I turn it in on the new one.

Looking grim on the early splash, I start Monday.