1977 Starcraft Restoration project

[pntbtrjllytme]

Man oh man.. Started taking the ignition off def going to replace it all.. this would explain so much.. my gauges would bounce around on the water couldnt figure out why. Im not marine mechanic but the more I read the more I learn. Its all starting to make sense now. Here, the rectifier was simply wrapped in electrical tape...:mad-new: Its a 15$ part and 2 screws why not just replace it!!!

 

[Watermann]

Yeah I found the same thing, bad wires and fried electronic components. Amazing these old motors will even run like that. The parts are very east to find and not expensive for the Johnny and Mercs of the 70-80s era.

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

Yeah Im not sure how its been running this long like this. I popped the flywheel off today and got the stator out. Hit it with the multimeter and the charging coil on it is bad. Not sure if I posted but 2 out of the 3 coil packs were bad that I tested. So, that being said, I feel better about just replacing the whole thing along with the power pack. IF anyone is reading this for my motor I had to use a 1-5/16 socket to get my flywheel nut off. Took me a bit to find one (got it at family farm and home a 34mm socket may work also) but that with an impact drill it popped right off. Also, rented a hub puller from auto zone to get the flywheel off. I couldnt for the life of me find a chain to keep the wheel from spinning so I just got a small ratchet strap, wrapped it around the entire hub puller assembly.. not ideal but worked fine for me =)

On a side note, going back to Detroit in the AM with my bro in law in his tracker targa. Bite is still hot there looking for another limit =)

 

[Watermann]

It truly amazes me how these old motors will run with so many defective electrical parts, astounding!

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

Will post some pics shortly of my day but caught our limit on the Detroit River in 45 min. After that we just caught and released. Well over 100 fish went in the boat between 7am and 1pm before we left.

When I got home I peeked inside of the spark plug holes and the piston heads are black as could be. Wondering what I should do to clean them? Also, knowing I had the problems with my ignition should I take the cover off of them and clean them up/replace gaskets or do anything else as far as preventitive maintenance while I have all of this apart?

Lastly, theres a small brown wire that goes into... something.. thats kind of built into my thermostat housing. To the right of the thermostat by a couple inches. What does it do? Cant find anything on it. Thanks again guys!

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

Actually disregard the last question on my last post. Overlooked it on my parts manual. Its a temperature switch

 

[Decker83]

I have a 1974 70hp rude that had all the same problems. I had to replace the timer trigger also. Did you check yours?
Have a thread over in the Johnson evinrude forum.. http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...e-outboards/10395986-1974-evinrude-70-hp-help. After replacing stator, timing trigger, coils, rectifier, rebuilt carbs and all new jets, testing the power pack the motor ran like it was new..

Also use the seafoam to clean the pistons and rings. After I did it on mine it increased the compression by 10 psi and brought the lowest piston compression up to equal the other 2.

Check all the wiring and look for any lose or corroded connections..

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

To be honest I havent figured out how to test my timer base to tell if its bad or not. I have 1 black and white striped wire and 3 white?? and blacked striped wire all labeled sensor 1, 2 and 3. Each one does come up with 0 when I have it on the ohms setting. If Im doing this correctly its bad but Im not sure and I cant find anything online on how to test it properly and. This part is close to 300$ alone so im hoping its not bad!

Also, how exactly do I go about cleaning the heads with seafoam? Just dump it in there or what?

 

[Decker83]

I am assuming you have the cdi ignition? Go to the CDI link http://www.cdielectronics.com/ and put in your yr make and model to get some great trouble shooting info.
You put the seafoam in your gas. I used a 1 gallon gas can and put the seafoam in it mixed with the gas/oil mix for the engine and ran the motor on muffs until all the gas was burned.. Seafoam has direction on how to use.

Also start a thread in the Johnson/evinrude forum. Have some great info there.

I did have to buy a DVA meter off evilbay to test some of the parts. It was cheap and helped me know for sure about the ignition.
Hope this helps..

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

Oh gotcha ya I used seafoam in the tank before this last one actually but the last run really did a number on the engine so wasnt sure if I needed a more direct approach to getting the gunk off of it now before I ran her again. And thanks for that info Ill def check into all of that. If the timing trigger is bad Ill either have to wait a bit to buy new or buy one used online. This long term dis is really eating into my pockets so REALLY hoping its good lol. Im good to work but the process to get back into my job is just insane. Have cash but not "300$ for one boat part" kind of cash just yet the admiral would sink the boat with me in it if I did that :fish:

 

[mbroughton02]

Oh gotcha ya I used seafoam in the tank before this last one actually but the last run really did a number on the engine so wasnt sure if I needed a more direct approach to getting the gunk off of it now before I ran her again. And thanks for that info Ill def check into all of that. If the timing trigger is bad Ill either have to wait a bit to buy new or buy one used online. This long term dis is really eating into my pockets so REALLY hoping its good lol. Im good to work but the process to get back into my job is just insane. Have cash but not "300$ for one boat part" kind of cash just yet the admiral would sink the boat with me in it if I did that :fish:

I hear you. I might need a new timer base for mine also, but swapping all the cheaper stuff first. $300 is a hard pill to swallow for some reason.

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

Well I will finally be able to get back to work here shortly I just got a call from my employer yesterday so that is great news. My bday is also coming up in a few days and my mother in law is buying me some parts for my bday :happy: Im ordering the coil packs now and should have those in the next few days. Im probably just going to get everything except the timer base and do some tests after I get it all buttoned up. Theres a guide online on how to check it by checking the spark. Id rather do that than spend 30$ on another part just to test the timer base. Its also pretty easy to get it off with the right tools. Also, here are a couple pics from my latest fishing trip. Should have taken a pic of all the fish but you couldnt ask for more with a 5 man limit in 45 min on a calm day with 60 degree weather.

 

[Watermann]

Nice eater eyes, man I'd like to get into some of them here but fishing has been tough even for the early bass.

Glad to hear you're job called, a mans gotta have work and a good running boat for all to be right in this world.

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

That is very true lol and yeah fishing here has been on fire. Id really like to get out on the bay though that is my all time favorite place to fish. The eyes are a bit larger there and you get to keep 8 instead of the typical 5. I also enjoy trolling around a bit than jigging.

I got on though to say I actually retested my parts because I originally had a hard time finding an exact way to test mine. Kept finding how to test newer models and like I mentioned before Im new to the marine world of mechanics so not 100% sure how to test these. Anywho, found a place that shows exactly how to test MY parts and the stator and timing base came out good!! 2/3 coils are definitely bad along with the rectifier. Ill have to test out the power pack after I get the flywheel back on probably do that tomorrow. But Im relieved because that saved me about 500$ in parts and even if the power pack is bad I may be back on the water by end of next week if I can get the parts in =D So Ill keep these and do tests after just to be sure but they look good and test out ok so heres hoping!

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

Figured Id start looking over the rest of the motor before I order some more parts. The temperature sensor was completely rusted and shot. Had to beat the thing out of there it was rusted so bad. Looking online they are apparently almost non-existent and any that I can find run about 60$.. Only ones I can find are used on ebay anyone have any clue why?

Also found a gasket and some other material just floating around by the cylinders.. Pulled some bolts out that were rusted and coated in water that should have been dry. Glad I did all of this I wouldnt want water in my fuel. I was expecting a lot more water in here.. It was bone dry is that normal? And from these pics do the heads look ok or should I do more than just run seafoam through the fuel seeing I have this all apart already? Or any other maintenance while I have it apart? Obviously going to replace all of the gaskets, grommets, thermostat and probably replace most of the bolts as they were all mostly rusted.

 

[Watermann]

I would clean all the carbon off since you have the head off.

 

[Pusher]

When I pulled my flywheel off I removed a couple bolts that were in the flywheel and bought some longer bolts of the same thread to screw through a 2x4 back into the flywheel. (Hopeful that made sense?) Then I wrachet strapped from the end of the 2x4 to the boat's cleat.

Hopefully there's not a next time though

Keep us updated! I have a 1986 60hp Merc that needs all these electronics still.

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

I started work this week so Ive been a bit busy. Planning on just waiting to purchase the motor parts with my first pay check in a couple weeks. Will keep everyone posted once I get the parts put on!

 

[pntbtrjllytme]

Ok been a while but finally ordered all the parts to get the motor running. My poodle ended up having to go to the ER vet at 2am almost lost her... but 8k later shes ok!...... Anywho.. Ive ordered everything except the water temperature switch. I can not find this thing anywhere new. Anyone have ANY info on this part? Theres not much online except a few sites mentioning they were faulty or you couldnt wire a gauge to the stock part. But no where does it show a replacement part. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated as Ive really looked everywhere. Calling a marine parts store today to see if they have any info on it but thought Id ask here as well in case one of you fine gentlemen have run into this. Thank you!

 

[Watermann]

I can look around but would need to know the paticulars on your motor, serial # too.