1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

[DustinG]

I picked this up this 16' Starcraft SS, 1986 Mercury 115 inline 6cyl, and trailer for FREE!! So I am super excited about this project! However I have never owned a boat before, and I have no idea what I'm doing here..any input is extremely welcome!

I plan to tear her down to the hull and replace everything. The engine won't turn over, but the boat has been sitting up for a few years. Taking off the cover, I'm convinced that the second prior owner had kept it up, but the first prior owner let it go. The water pump needs to be replaced, and there's a couple of wires coming down from the top near the flywheel that are totally corroded and broken off at the terminal. The good news is, the motor isn't locked up. I'll post pictures of the motor soon. I built an engine stand yesterday, I'll post pictures of it too.

I only have one picture to share, a cell phone picture of the boat in my driveway the day I picked it up.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Hotdiggitydog! Freebee Starcraft, and a nice looking SS no less!

Saaaaaaaawwwwwweeeeeeettttt!!!

All right, grab your favorite beverage and start reading...

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=494143

For your engine...

http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=25

Welcome to iboats and the Starcraft brotherhood!

 

[64osby]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

You know if I found a deal like that I wouldn't have to sleep in it, way to go.

Good luck on the repairs and fixing her up.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Welcome to the Starmada Dustin, a deal can't get any better than free. Great boat you found, but that 115 is 30hp over the rating for the SS. If you can get it running for not too much you should be able to sell it pretty easy and get a nice 70 to 85 for the SS.

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Awesome score!

I doubt it gets any better than that, a tinny with an awesome powerhouse and a hauler...

BTW, that 'ol Tower of Power, it was prolly rated the old way, at the crank, so realistically it is only puttin out about 80-90 HP at the prop, if the compression is up to snuff on all cylinders, otherwise, maybe even closer to 70-75...so you should be good to go as far as a power rating for that hull...a bit on the heavy side, but tons of torque!

Post up your pics and questions on the Mercury/Mariner Engine forum and get all the help you need to bring it back to life...

Have Fun and Happy Boating!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Prop VS crank could go either way in mid 80's motors. Merc made the switch around 1985, so depending on when the powerhead & lower were mated it may be a made in 1985 crank rated, assembled in 1985 but sold as a 1986. There is a 10-15% drop in hp from a crank rated motor by the time the power reaches the prop. I suppose that's what dictated the switch to prop rating...

But depending on which site you read, there is some various opinions about the year of the switch:

HP rating prop VS crank @google

Be nice to find an engineer or tech for a motor manufacturer to get a definite date for the switch. A Merc tech would be highly likely to know the details for OMC's too. OB makers were (probably still are) extremely competitive & knowing what the other guy was doing would be of great interest to both sides.

The SS 16' was built & rated before the switch, so it's rated for a crank rated OB. If the 115Merc is a prop rated motor the overpower is higher then the 85hp +/- hull rating vs the 115hp +/- OB rating appears


Regardless, GREAT freebies & if the motor runs it should be easy to sell. And being a 1986 should make parts easier to find then either of my 60's Merc motors. And absolutely incredible to get that motor & the SC for free!

Super nice score! Welcome to the Starmada

 

[DustinG]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Here are some more pictures! I don't even know where to start on this thing!! First order of business will be to remove the motor. I have a buddy coming over today to help me muscle it off. I've been reading a great deal of info on these forums, thank you guys for all the help! I'm relying on all of you to walk me through this rebuild!!

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Here are some more pictures! I don't even know where to start on this thing!! First order of business will be to remove the motor. I have a buddy coming over today to help me muscle it off. I've been reading a great deal of info on these forums, thank you guys for all the help! I'm relying on all of you to walk me through this rebuild!!

All the guys are saying what a good score you got, I must disagree! And it seems you aren't sure about how bring this baby back. In the true spirit if the Starmada, I'll take her off your hands. Just being a nice, is all.

Seriously, welcome to the Tin Drydock, DG. She looks darn good for a freebie. Have fun and keep the questions and pictures coming.

 

[DustinG]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Alright I got the motor off yesterday, I'm definitely going to have to replace the steering cable and lots of dry rotted wiring.



Does anyone know what these two wires are for that are coming from beneath the flywheel? They are corroded completely off.



Also, any ideas on what these two plunger switches are for? I haven't traced them yet, I'm assuming one is for the lights, the other for the bilge pump maybe? One is an on/off, the other is a three position.



Today I'm giong to launch the boat in the grass and fix the bunks! It's sitting crooked on the trailer right now and I don't want the rollers to dent the hull!

 

[ShowMeGuy]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Nice boat man.. That thing will scoot for sure... Mine does with just a 85hp I can only imagine what a 115 will do.... SKEWWWIE!!!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

You can look thru the parts diagrams here, and might find what those wires were for. You'll need the motor's serial #, I scanned thru 2 of the 115's listed, but didn't see that part....

 

[DustinG]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

64osby I cracked up when I read that!! And I didn't even think to post the motor question in the Mercury/Mariner forum...doing that now.

GA_Boater lol!! No thanks brother!! I'm gonna see this thing through to the end! I must admit that I was a bit intimidated to get started, but it being a FREE boat means I don't have any regrets!! And having the pulled the engine now, this project is officially underway!!

I suppose I'll need to figure out if I can run this motor according to the hull rating..maybe the Mercury/Mariner forum can help me out in that area..I really would like to keep it, I hear these inline 6's are torque-y, and I'd love to take this boat wakeboarding!

 

[GT1000000]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

2 Position switch, probably Bilge...

3 Position switch, Nav lights+ anchor light=pos.1, anchor light only= pos.3, center pos.=off

The two wires come from the stator which not only provides the electricity for the spark of the engine, but the charging current for the battery...that is the voltage rectifier... you will get the best response in the Mercury engine forum from the gurus there...

 

[DustinG]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Heck yeah ShowMe I hope it's a good engine!!

Thanks jbcurt for that link! The ser# is A908651, I'm about to pour another cup of coffee and scan the list...

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Hey Dustin, I was just trying to save you a lot of work but It looks like you started figuring it out. LOL

A lot of the old Mercs end up with wiring like yours. I had the same problems but was lucky to be able to piece it back together. CDI does make a new replacement. Sometimes it's better to bite the bullet and spend the cash because bad wiring causes a host of problems and you chase your tail trying to fix it. Also check the boat side harness. It's most likely just as bad, mine was. Again CDI has a new replacement if it comes down to that.

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

The two wires come from the stator which not only provides the electricity for the spark of the engine, but the charging current for the battery...that is the voltage rectifier... you will get the best response in the Mercury engine forum from the gurus there...

I don't know if you need a recifier, but 1 popped up today @evil-bay:

Follow the sellers suggestion to confirm it fits your motor, $20 BuyItNow

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Man, sorry, for some reason I always forget to pass this along when we're talking about motors :facepalm::

http://search.ebscohost.com/

Username: marshall
Password: public

after logon:

Select small engine repair

Select Marine/Boat motor

Scroll down & select manufacturer

Specific for your year & motor would be better, but in a pinch the combined is better then nothing

 

[STARCRAFT16SS]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

You are off to a great start...how did you come across one for free!!!!!!???...
talk about fantastic deals....
Looks like probably kids have been stepping on the bow rail.....
most people seem to love the bow rail...I have seen places where you can get
bow railing in 7/8 inch aluminum or stainless...if you are wanting to keep the railing...

 

[DustinG]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

^^Sweet boat man! Same thing I said, some kid probably stepped on the bow rail. I do like the idea of stainless railing, I may have to check into that. I like the railing, I do want to keep it, so long as it can be modified to mount a trolling motor!

 

[DustinG]

Re: 1976 Starcraft SS 16' Resto Project

Thanks jb, I'm going to check that out! I don't know if I need the rectifier or not..what exactly is that for...