1964 Starcraft Jet Star Aluminum Runabout Project

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

LL, I have seen your work. There is no doubt in my mind, having a manual in hand, the guys on this forum, and your abilities, replacing the fuel pump on that motor will NOT be an issue. Go for it!!!! Have you given any thought to a separate engine cover??

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

LL, I have seen your work. There is no doubt in my mind, having a manual in hand, the guys on this forum, and your abilities, replacing the fuel pump on that motor will NOT be an issue. Go for it!!!! Have you given any thought to a separate engine cover??

Thanks, I'm definitely leaning in that direction, looks pretty straightforward. I could sure save a bundle so long as I don't screw anything up too badly! Could order parts online & for anything small that I might miss or need quickly, I could get at the place I got the quotes from.

On the cover, my main goal is keeping the wind-driven rain out from the stern while the boat is on a lift at the lake between uses, that's why I'm thinking a one-piece that I can put over the whole thing fairly easily. Also protection from the sun. Over-winter storage won't be an issue, I would probably just throw a tarp over it & bungee it to the trailer like I have been doing.

I wonder what the boat gods have in mind, seems that there are a lot of road blocks keeping me from the finish line!

 

[parrisw]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

There seems to be very little difference in fuel flow cranking vs. not cranking. I could save a bundle if I just replace the pump myself. I've pretty much decided that I will do the water pump work. Is replacing the OMS pump pretty much just a matter of remove the old one & put the new one in place? I have the shop manual and it looks like that's about it.

Ya that's about it, if you can do the water pump you can do the fuel pump. I think the fuel
pump job is easier then the waterpump.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I know the repair shop needs to make their money, and I'd be paying for their expertise, but it seems they don't do anythying in less than 2 hours. I guess he could have just been "overestimating" time because they never know what they're going to run into.

I took a leap of faith today and applied my registration numbers & tag, and also dismantled my motor lifting frame. This afternoon I double-checked the boat launch I was thinking of using and it is still covered in almost a foot of mud from Irene's flooding. I've seen a couple trucks use it, but my tow vehicle is a Chevy Impala.

Here's where I put in another good word for the numbers I got from this guy, super-easy to apply. Came out great. http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/shabestari/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

The boat gods also dealt me yet another small blow as I was covering the boat this evening. I ripped a big hole in the middle of my tarp as I pulled it tight for the bungees. The good part is: I'll take that as a warning that I need to replace it before winter. Or the next rain, for that matter.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

If it weren't fer bad luck you'd have no luck at all.
Gloom, despair, and agony on you!!!


This Winter I'm gunn fire up the old sewing machine and do my seats and while I'm at it I'm gunna try my hand at a custom cover for the Blue Flamingo. I have NO idea how to go about sewin one so it may be a total farse, but I'm gunna give it a try. Might even try recovering my Bimini.
Heck I might even sew my own Blue Jeans just like the House of the Rising Sun!!!!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Hey LL, you're hitting a short run of laid up motor blues. Lack of use is harder on a motor than frequent, hard use. You'll get there, buddy. Fuel pump is easier than impellers and impellers aren't hard to do.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Hey LL, you're hitting a short run of laid up motor blues. Lack of use is harder on a motor than frequent, hard use. You'll get there, buddy. Fuel pump is easier than impellers and impellers aren't hard to do.

Well, thanks everybody for the encouragement, I needed it. My budget is starting to dictate stretching the dineros. Wood, if your cover turns out, I'll send you my dimensions. And on the blue jeans, it's 36x34. With the remaining budget, I have to get that 50 running good & come up with a boat lift...along with a few smaller details.

Going away for Canadian Thanksgiving tomorrow, I'll be ordering parts when I get back & getting ready to dive in.

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Changing the fuel pump is easy make sure you have new zip ties to replace the ones you cut. Water pump is harder than the fuel pump. Carbs are more complicated than either of those jobs but are not very difficult if you take your time.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Changing the fuel pump is easy make sure you have new zip ties to replace the ones you cut. Water pump is harder than the fuel pump. Carbs are more complicated than either of those jobs but are not very difficult if you take your time.

Thanks. When it comes to working on outboards, I guess it's just the unanticipated problems that worry me once I get into something, since I know so little about it. Or whether I'll get into it and then find I need some expensive "special tool" made by the mfr. that I don't have.

To answer the question in you signature "Speed costs money how fast do you want to go "........at least above idle!!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I bit the bullet today and ordered a new OMS pump ($340), saving $79 over the local dealer's price @ Boats.net. Before doing that, I removed the starter and checked the pulse limiter, as that was listed in the manual as a possible cause of fuel delivery problems, getting gunked up with carbon. It looked pristine. From the looks of this motor, it hasn't been used much, I hope I'm right. In doing that I found a hose that runs from the carb to the primer solenoid that was almost worn through because of vibrating against the pump. Will have to replace that too.

Anyway, this weather has been beautiful and cooperating nicely. As I've been procrastinating about the motor, I've been getting a lot done around the yard. I gave myself a kick in the butt today and made myself get at it. Also have to get the 9.9 & 20 ready for winter.

I did, however, rig my anchor with rope & research fire extinguishers and small waterproof tool boxes that I can fit under the seat. Does that count?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

It ALL counts!!! I'm bettin, before it's all over, you're gunna be a outboard mechanic, Par Exellance'

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

It ALL counts!!! I'm bettin, before it's all over, you're gunna be a outboard mechanic, Par Exellance'

Thanks for the vote of confidence, but I wouldn't go that far!

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I'm finally back with a report.

The OMS pump came a couple days ago and I got it in today. It went pretty smoothly, I just had to be careful with all the hose & wire routing. Luckily, the pump I took out was already a 4-wire pump, so it was just basically a drop-the-new-one-in procedure. Glad I didnt' have to upgrade it because I didn't completely understand the instructions for that. The hardest part was removing/reinstalling the rubber pump mounts without mangling them. Glad I saved myself $90/hr.!

So, for the results...I bled the oil hose and then started it up per the recommended procedure that tests the self-priming of the oil pump. Running on 50:1, the no-oil signal came on; I left it running and shortly the horn shut off, and a couple minutes later the no-oil light shut off. This time it didn't stall every few minutes, and I was able to idle it at about 750 rpm for 10 minutes before I shut it off. It runs fairly smooth but I'm sure adjustments will need to be made. The fuel level in the filter stayed pretty consistent at idle.

I tried a re-test of cranking and running the gas output hose into a bottle, but with about the same results as before...no real inscrease in the fuel flow when cranking. Seems it would spurt out faster, makes me wonder how it will be on the water. I know, I know, only one way to find out! I was going to mess with it more, but my antique battery was dead by that time after sitting for so long. I'm just about to charge it now.

A few other bits of progress:

My emergency oar, I learned long ago never to be without one:

Of course, held in place by the venerable bungee:

A new home for my $10 anchor (note color-coordinated rope):

And last but not least, something I hope I'll never have to use...the fire extinguisher.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I'm still thinking you can put that rig in the water this year

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Glad to hear you're a crack Outboard Mechanic. I may need your help in the future. I think a "I told you so!!!" is in order here.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I'm still thinking you can put that rig in the water this year

I'm toying with the idea. I've never boated on the river(s) nearby & it makes me a little nervous to have a maiden voyage in unfamiliar waters in a craft of unknown reliability!!

I think a "I told you so!!!" is in order here.

Go ahead, I can take it! I never was the kind of person to jump feet first into new things. Always had to do a lot of checking things out first.

I charged the battery and ran it again for 10-15 minutes, 750 rpms, with no issues. Just seems to be a little rough.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

The more I run it in the barrel, the better it seems to run. I read that the no-oil alarm doesn't activate unless running above 1100 rpm, so idled it around 1250 yesterday for 10-15 minutes, on pure gas from the tank & oil supplied by the pump only and no issues. It smokes less now not using the premix...I thought I was going to drive my neighbor inside at one point a couple days ago. I have to tell you though, as a pre-mix 50:1 man all my life, this oil pump business makes me nervous.

I've decided if I can find a place nearby and the weather cooperates, I'll launch it and try it out. Most places have hauled in the docks by now and the ones I've checked would be pretty tough to use without one. I can't stand the thought of going the winter not knowing the results of all my work!!

Except for the rub rail & splash, it's FINISHED*! That is unless there are more motor issues on the sea trial; will change the water pump and lower unit oil in the spring.

(* 90% new parts .)

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Looks great LL, good feeling to be almost done , now go get it wet. I'm further north in the cold country, last night the Northen lights were out for the first time this year awsome show, and we still have soft water. I'm hoping for a splash in the next two weeks.
Glen

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

I feel the same way about trusting the oil pump. Hope mine works like new.
SPLASH DOOD!!!!!

 

[hidef]

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Re: 1964 15' Starcraft Aluminum Runabout Project

Good to hear you have it running. It will idle better in the water than in a barrel. If your nervous about boating on the river just make sure you go upstream if you do have an issue the current will take you back down stream. You should be fine however.