hello to everyone I found a 1968 starcraft Holiday last summer on craigslist so I went to see and the guy told me the outdrive needed work but the motor was fine so he dry fired it up (there wasn't any water around the area) it ran smooth for a 68' 110HP so i bought it for $600. So it was not long that i found out pre-alpha outdrive parts are expensive. then I found a parts boat a 84' glass with 120 mercruiser and alpha outdrive so i started the switch it was not easy by myself and not having no clue what i was doing besides what i read here when pulling there motor out i found a hair line crack across the lower section of the block so i got the a great ideal to weld it up with some cast iron rods (never do this trust me ) i have been welding for a few years and i heard people tell me as long as you pre and post heat and then cover it in sand to let it cool slow it would work. Well they must not have worked with cast iron this thin when i pulled the sand off i had cracks everywhere so had to try one last thing (just a reminder the parts boat motor needs rebuilt they left the motor cover off and no air cleaner i had to sand blast the rust out of the manifold just to use it) good old jb weld i took the thermostat out so it would have no pressure. So I got the new outdrive in had to do a little cutting on the hole in the transom but got it in and then got the motor and everything else together. I have had the boat out 3 or 4 time with no leaks from the block. it seems that it sits so high in the bow that the complete outdrive is under water and even at WOT there is so much still in the water that its spraying water everywhere so should i move the 12 gallon fuel tank and the two battery's up front? next what should the WOT rpm be? what pitch prop should i be using I'm up to a 21 that i have not tried yet? its crazy that every other 68' starcraft Holiday that i see on here has a ladder to climb up on the bow and mine does not it looks factory but i added the walk though windshield. I will try to get some pics up but I have slow internet. I just want to say thanks to everyone I found so much good info. on this site it was very helpful.
problems over at the mercruiser forums. Some of those folks can be real helpful.
