1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Well the sun came out and I got here fired right but the warm and fuzzy feeling that we were a ll done went away quick, As I watched water dripping out of the cylinder head cover gasket. It is not terrible as it is not internal, just another set back that may mean no Splash till spring. O well here are some photos with the sun shinning and all complete.
Thanks everyone for you comments and help on the project.

Glen

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Awwww....I know that sinking feeling! Anyway, looks great, at least most of it is behind you.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

DII - she may be leaking a little from the gasket, but she sure looks GOOD. Sorry about the drips, buddy.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Thanks guys, and it gets worse, I think the karma Jason isn't telling us about on his Jet, is rubbing off, three bolts broke of in the head while taking the water jacket cover off and they will not come out. So now it gets a little more expensive. Break Out Another Thousand LOL
Glen

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Ah rats Glen!

I had my popcorn ready, soda in hand...

Had my "Starcraft in the water" party hat on...

Man, now I gotta wait clear till spring!



Well, either way, she looks fantastic buddy

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS ALMOST SPLASH TIME

Ouch, Glen But she still looks good.

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

She looks ready for the water...

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Thanks again guys, I quess having to wait till spring will allow the paint to cure all the way and let all the glues properly dry, Ya right. I found a used head on Fleabay for $65.00 but am waiting for a reply on the freight cost. A new is available $156.00. Am tring to decide which way to go?
Glen

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Okay the parts are ordered, I went with the Fleabay head , only $16.00 to ship to Canada. Heres some photos of the problems, just to show I didnt just chinken out on the slpash.

The water was leaking out just below the bottom spark plug on the port side where the red line is.

The three red lines show the broken bolts in the head, This head had a heli coil in the top cylinder that was put in crooked so the plug didn't seal anyhow! There is a temp sensor switch that goes in the head that would not come out and it costs $56. ouch

More good news is the cylinder look in real good shape, a little carboned up though so it will get a good decarbing.
Glen

 

[MichaelP]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

That is good news on the cylinders. Finally some good news ..Right?! You have plenty of time to get that baby wet. This is all easy stuff man! I'd change the T-stats while your there. Easy and cheap. 30 minutes tops.

That vessel is top notch!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

I'm with Michael. I know November can show a bunch of nice days yet buddy. Keep at it

 

[lakelover]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Like he said ^^^, I think a lot of us are counting on November to help us out in a kind way!!

Hopefully once you get your fixes done with the head etc., the rest will behave. That's one sweet ride you've got there, will love to see it on the water. Great job.

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Good deal on the head including shipping. I look for usps all the time if I can otherwise I get a surprise brokerage fee or the like at the door.

Much better off with the solid head and sensor. You'll be blowing that carbon out with your hair blowing in the wind on the water in no time.

 

[fontoo]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

First time chiming in here. What an awesome restore. I have a 79 SS and a 75 Holiday. Both have the mercruiser 140 I/O in them. Well actually the ss is stripped already and I am thinking I might repower with the 4.3L MPI that mercruiser has out. If I can get the hull looking as good as you or even close the cost of the repower is still cheaper than a new boat and it will actually be better than new!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

That is good news on the cylinders. Finally some good news ..Right?! You have plenty of time to get that baby wet. This is all easy stuff man! I'd change the T-stats while your there. Easy and cheap. 30 minutes tops.

That vessel is top notch!

Thanks Micheal, I will think about doing the T stats as well. We will have to see what November brings.

I'm with Michael. I know November can show a bunch of nice days yet buddy. Keep at it

We will have to wait and see how long it takes to get the parts, nice days are gtreat but it is the -10C nights that are making the water HARD Thanks Jason

Like he said ^^^, I think a lot of us are counting on November to help us out in a kind way!!

Hopefully once you get your fixes done with the head etc., the rest will behave. That's one sweet ride you've got there, will love to see it on the water. Great job.

Thanks Lake, time will tell.
Glen

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

First time chiming in here. What an awesome restore. I have a 79 SS and a 75 Holiday. Both have the mercruiser 140 I/O in them. Well actually the ss is stripped already and I am thinking I might repower with the 4.3L MPI that mercruiser has out. If I can get the hull looking as good as you or even close the cost of the repower is still cheaper than a new boat and it will actually be better than new!

Thanks for stopping by and the compliments fontoo, and a big welcome to the Starmada, not only a new member but you have two Starcrafts. I think the 18 with a 4.3 would be wicked fast, I was thinking about the same, but the
4.3 weighs 150lbs more than the 120 and I think the 120 is a little heavy for the 18, it sits fairly low in the water at the stern as it is.

Glen

 

[maineboat]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Awesome looking boat; pretty hard to beat those old Starcrafts. Probably my most favorite boats in the business. I have a SS160 that I bought cheap that I would like to start on sometime, but the economy has me pretty strapped...

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Awesome looking boat; pretty hard to beat those old Starcrafts. Probably my most favorite boats in the business. I have a SS160 that I bought cheap that I would like to start on sometime, but the economy has me pretty strapped...

Thanks maineboat, ya the mighty dollar can hold a guy up pretty good these days. Hopefully things turn around and you can get your project started.
Glen

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Well it's been a while, motor is back together and runs nice now with no leaks. I need to get a box of 1"stainless screws to finnish fastening the gunwal side panels and this one is complete. Too bad I have to wait 5 months for soft water, for the splash.
Glen

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1979 Starcraft 18 SS Here we go again!!

Dood, you were so close, that stinks!

Hey, if you hitch er up and point the truck south, you'll eventually find something to float on