1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

[Bwana Don]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Sorry, should have mentioned that - 40#

Well that's good, 40 psi is good pressure. I still think it's something not too serious. You're looking at a teardown buddy. Hopefully a light repair and you'll be good.

I get a chance I'll have my mechanic friend and my bro watch the video.

I just thought of something; wasn't the donor boats name THUMPER. I wonder how it got that name?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Don, you are the man! Yah I really wish you were closer too buddy! Something economical to fix on a boat engine??? Hmmmm. Interesting concept!

PR, I'd love it if you can get your rig in the water - give me hope man!!

 

[paparoof]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

PR, I'd love it if you can get your rig in the water - give me hope man!!

I'll try extra hard just for you bud. Got the gimbal mount and transom plate in tonight so I think I'll be dropping the motor in tomorrow night. I shouldn't say "dropping" at this point....

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Oh bro...

I dont check in from the road for a couple days and THIS is what I read???

Dang, I know you are feeling a bit low..She does sound loud on the vid, so she must be really loud next to her...I cant help much but to offer every bit of my mechanical know how..I will list EVERYTHING I KNOW BELOW..























































































































ya hell.Who am I kidding, I got nuthin..your smarter than I am..LOL

 

[steve`ss]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

hey jas, i`ve reading long for a couple months now, first time post - i am a ford dealer tech, not gm, but i do know that the 4.3 like to take out rod bearings and when do they also take out the crank - witch is what i think happen - if i were you i`d pull the oil pan and rock each rod back and forth - if one moves your done - if so i wonder if you can bolt your heads on a gm short block - good luck

 

[Alpheus]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

i do know that the 4.3 like to take out rod bearings

Stick to Fords.

Thats B.S. 4.3's are not known for taking out rod bearings anymore than any other GM based V-6 or V-8 Mercruiser engine...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

PR you rock buddy, keep on keeping on!

Hey Kev - I grabbed some lined notebook paper and a couple of pencils to write down the wealth of knowledge you shared there. I blocked off a couple of hours to complete this task - sorta looks like I may not need all that time though, eh!

Thanks for stopping by steve and alpheus - I think this here motor will need to take a field trip to someone in the know, ya know!

Cheers!

 

[macca123]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

That sounds too "tinnie" pardon the pun, It could be the tappet cover, something hitting against it or the sump it just sounds funny, bearings have a lot deeper knock, it's definatly not a lifter, they have a lot higher pitch. I would get a couple of feet of garden hose, start the engine and use the hose as a stethiscope to pinpoint which end the noise is coming from.

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Well Jason I hope you had time to write down all the suggestions, including CBK's. Shame you won't be using them! Everyone should know their limit and I understand the lack of tools-time-knowledge is a bit of a henderance. I await patiently for the diagnosis from the mechanic...but not too patient. Sooooooo, what are ya going to work on in the mean time? I wish I was closer too. I could get Bwana a beer as he fixes the motor.:redface:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

This was just your mock-up engine right? right?

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Yah fsh, I still have plenty to do on this here rig but here is the trick...

What I really need to know is how this boat will be powered! I feel like I am waaaayyy back at the beginning of this project again trying to decide how this tub will be powered. Take a look back at the very beginning of my thread and you'll see how much I wrestled with that decision.

You may have noticed, I waited to install the transom and cut the hole just in case this here motor carped out on me. See, I did do something smart, eh!

So at this point I suppose I have a ton of options, some better than others, some more expensive than others (some way more expensive).

#1 Repair this Merc and run it

#2 Buy a new block from Rapido/Michigan Motorz/US Engines and dress it out with the stuff I can pull off of this Merc (I don't know if I have the skills to do this)

#3 Sell off what I can from this Merc and go OB

#3a OB on a bracket (our new shop teacher here at the school said he could easily fab a bracket up for me, hmmmm)

#3b Convert my transom to splash well, throw on an OB

The first step will be to have the marine tech take a look and give me the damage report, maybe bad, maybe not so bad, maybe really bad. Once I know that I can then I can go from there.

Ah well EZ, this here motor might just be an expensive, interesting looking anchor, eh buddy!

 

[fshngho]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jason my friend, here is something I learned a long time ago:
God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.

I agree with having options and planning ahead but what exactly can you do untill you know what you have? I tell my kids its a shame to waste all that worry on something you may not have to worry about. Put your energy into something you can control. Once you have the facts, then weigh your options.
Preaching over.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Very few will be shocked by my take on this one...you guys know where I stand

3, 3a, or 3b get my vote. what HP are you rated for? Probably 250?

Really glad that you did not cut the Merc hole yet, that would have been disastrous potentially.

I'm with ya no matter what ends up powering the rig, heck I have 2 sets of really long oars up here if all else fails. Get some viking helmets and put the kids to work eh?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

My vote actually still stands with my original. A short or even long block is going to be much more cost effective than any of those other options. I don't think you could even find a decent used outboard for what you'd pay for a new 4.3 motor.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Jason my friend, here is something I learned a long time ago:
God, grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.

I agree with having options and planning ahead but what exactly can you do untill you know what you have? I tell my kids its a shame to waste all that worry on something you may not have to worry about. Put your energy into something you can control. Once you have the facts, then weigh your options.
Preaching over.

Amen!

Very few will be shocked by my take on this one...you guys know where I stand

3, 3a, or 3b get my vote. what HP are you rated for? Probably 250?

Really glad that you did not cut the Merc hole yet, that would have been disastrous potentially.

I'm with ya no matter what ends up powering the rig, heck I have 2 sets of really long oars up here if all else fails. Get some viking helmets and put the kids to work eh?

Yah, I knew all along that I wouldn't touch that transom until I knew for sure what was going on it! As for rating, don't have one so sky is the limit right! I could pull the 454 out of my Burb and throw it in there, eh!

Nah, a 175 - 200 would be just great for my girl, IO or OB.

Viking helmets would be key right there buddy!

My vote actually still stands with my original. A short or even long block is going to be much more cost effective than any of those other options. I don't think you could even find a decent used outboard for what you'd pay for a new 4.3 motor.

Yah, there is no doubt that bang for buck, the 4.3 wins hands down. Well, so long as I can rig all of the stuff I need to on it, which I'm not sure I can do. I'll have to do the research on that.

See cause it would be this...

http://www.michiganmotorz.com/marine-engine-198692-p-749.html

vs. this...

http://www.michiganmotorz.com/complete-mercruiser-engine-package-p-323.html

And as of this writing I don't have the cash for either, really.

It's becoming clear for me that if this is an easy fix on the IO that I have right now, cool! All is good and my time frame remains the same at 2011.

If not, reality is that this boat won't see water till 2012. I'll need that kind of time to save for and find another driveline for this here Islander.

One step at a time though, I'll need to hear from the pro on my Merc.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

The only way to cheaply acquire a big outboard is to buy another donor 'glass rig that comes with one. Maybe you could try that again for a 4.3 or outboard? (just make sure the motor runs before buying)

I agree on the I/O block replacement being cheaper than one of these...

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

The only way to cheaply acquire a big outboard is to buy another donor 'glass rig that comes with one. Maybe you could try that again for a 4.3 or outboard? (just make sure the motor runs before buying)

I agree on the I/O block replacement being cheaper than one of these...

Yup, that is pretty much what I am thinking too buddy.

My local dealer has one of those big E Tecs sitting right in the middle of his store, it's awesome!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I can't think of a single reason why you'd need that complete engine package. $1899 seems like a pretty good price for a long block. If your current 4.3 needs to be and can be rebuilt, I'd get a price for that rebuilding. If it can't, or the price is too high, go with the long block. I would not even consider any further USED I/O stuff. Just too risky.

I think if you went outboard a 140 would probably be the minimum. My buddy's 21' Chieftain has a good running 90HP Johnson on it. It gets you there and planes decently but top speed is 26MPH and that's with 2-3 adults. Just thought I'd throw that out as a point of reference. A 150-200V6 would be ideal. I would think the absolute cheapest you'd find a V6 though would be $1000-$1500 which I why I think your $1900 brand new long block is the better financial decision. Get your drive checked out before buying that motor though. If we have to add a drive to the problem, then an outboard starts looking better.

 

[j_k_bisson]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

Been there done that. Don't give up. I rebuilt/restored a 1970 Starcraft Chieftain. At the worst time's do not loose hope. He is where mine started to what it came out like Hope you get your fire back.

Jeff

As sold

http://i55.tinypic.com/29omyvl.jpg

Under construction. Even had to go deeper in the restoration. 500 hull rivets needed to be replaced.

http://i56.tinypic.com/vchms.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/5ppxew.jpg
http://i53.tinypic.com/2cdvl14.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/2yy9pfr.jpg

As you can see after alt of work it will all be good. I tried to restore to original. But had to include a couple of upgrades.

If you have an question email me. I'll help you along.

My new project is a 1991 Bayliner trophy 2002. Transom rebuild check it out at http://www.baylinerownersclub.org/forum/showthread.php?t=52605

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 22' Starcraft Islander Rebuild

I can't think of a single reason why you'd need that complete engine package.

Get your drive checked out before buying that motor though. If we have to add a drive to the problem, then an outboard starts looking better.

Well, like I mentioned, I'm not sure if my ability is up for the task of dressing out a bare block. If it's bolt and go, I am game. If there are more specialized tasks that need to be completed than I dunno.

Good idea on checking the OD. If I am hauling the motor over there I may as well have him check that for me too. Adding another $1300 for an OD would definitely push me closer to something like this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2001...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item255dea4396

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2000...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item255dcf0504

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140457745673&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=370439742606&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160487638276&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Yikes, $$$

Been there done that. Don't give up. I rebuilt/restored a 1970 Starcraft Chieftain. At the worst time's do not loose hope. He is where mine started to what it came out like Hope you get your fire back.

Jeff
[/url]

Thanks for stopping by Jeff! Man, you did a super job on the Chief buddy, beauty!!! Great motivation for me man!