Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Here we go folks. Most of the day was productive. The end not so much.

First I drilled the holes for the motor bolts.



Again I say if you don't have one of these drill guides you should really check into one. It works great.

Some shots of my modified engine stand. It is a little shaky, but it served the purpose.





Getting ready to set the motor in place.



Another handy tool is a cherry picker.. Makes life easier.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Setting her in place.





Here is the bracing I made for the motor bolts.



She's sporting her dorm fridge...

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Put the foam back in beneath the splash well.





The splash well supports.. I guess that's what you call them..

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Finishing touches..



Wiring, and fuel hooked up.



In all her glory.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Okay so I took her to the lake this evening, however I had trouble with the carbs. The engine gave me a fit the whole time. I worked on it the better part of an hour. I'm sure the carbs just need rebuilding. It's a little frustrating, but I knew they were in bad shape. Of course the only pics I got were after I pulled her out. I got so hung up working on the motor I forgot to snap some shots.

So in these pics you can see water dripping from the bunks, but none coming out the drain.





Not an official splash for me. No wake......

Also I did find some water in the bilge. maybe a quarter of an inch or so... Like I said not the best ending to an otherwise productive day...

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Are you going to do something with the cracks in the bends of the splashwell? I have the same cracks.

I'm planning on making some supports to the splash well. I'm thinking that some aluminum corner bracing riveted to support the crack. I'm going to have to think about how or what will work the best then I'll post my repair. I also have to put some 5200 along the seam between the splash well and the transom..

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Here is what I'm planning on doing after church tomorrow...



I bought these off evil bay last fall, and I think I have the parts in my garage I need to rebuild them...

The boat floats real well.. For what that's worth...

 

[lakelover]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

That's great progress. When I splashed mine, the bilge had way more water in it than I wanted to tolerate, I figured at least a gallon after a 45 min. splash. That was after 2 coats of Gluvit as directed on all the seams and rivets inside below the water line.

What I ended up doing, was getting under the boat while it was on the lift in the summer, and cheating by putting 5200 around all the suspected rivet heads, then cleaning up so it wasn't too noticeable. I had re-bucked several during my project, but guess I wasn't totally successful at that. You can't really see the 5200 unless you're under the boat, and only I know it's there. It did work and now I am pretty much watertight, I rarely have to use the bilge pump unless water gets splashed in. I thought I was going to have to do the seam where the sides and bottom of the hull come together, but that turned out to be not necessary.

It's looking pretty good for sure, soon you can get out and enjoy it, once you get those carbs in order. +1 on the cherry picker, wish I'd had one for motor mounting instead of building a gantry, using a come-along to lift and wrestling with 200 lb. to get it out of the shed!

 

[dozerII]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Great job on the transom, sucks you had carb problems at the lake, it can be real frustrating for sure. Set of rebuilt carbs and a can of Seafoam and you will makin wake.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

I really appreciate all the support. I'm not unhappy with the water in the bilge. I'm pretty sure I know where it's coming from. I can't really complain about the motor acting up either. It is 32 years old after all, and like I said I knew the carbs weren't quite right from last fall. I had the boat in the water for a good 2 hours last night, and while working on the motor I was going up and down the lake some. I couldn't get above 15 mph, but again I was messing with the carbs off and on trying to clean them out as I went along. By the way that's not a task I would recommend trying when you are in the water.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

You'll get there, TN. You might look at the fuel lines, filters, etc. while you're at it. Is the fuel fresh? Not a game killer, but one more thing to aggravate you. Just eliminate all possibilities.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Stupid computer.. I somehow can't finish a post before my computer flakes out on me.. As I was saying in the last post I'm not unhappy with my trip to the lake yesterday. Even with all my engine problems the boat is almost 100%. There are some things that still need addressing. I sill fab some kind of bracket to repair the cracks in the splash well, and I will be finding my leak..

Here are the cracks in the splash well I need to address.




The cracks run about 3 inches back on both sides..






Here is where I believe my leak is. Now I didn't get enough water in the bilge to come out the drain, and it never got high enough that my bilge pump could prime itself or pump any out, so I think it is a very small leak..



Here it is from the inside..



Now I'm not sure that's where the leak is, but that area under the knee brace is a little sketchy. That is the area the po had allot of caulk applied to the outside of the hull. Right in the seam where the bottom hull, and the outer transom skin are riveted. I still haven't gotten any gluvit yet. I think I will check all the bottom rivets as Lakelover suggested, and then gluvit that seam. Then we shall see how it goes. I'm going to work on my carbs later today, and if I make it back to the lake in the next few days I will post up some pics of my success or failure. Thanks again for all the support, and helpful advice..

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

You'll get there, TN. You might look at the fuel lines, filters, etc. while you're at it. Is the fuel fresh? Not a game killer, but one more thing to aggravate you. Just eliminate all possibilities.

Yeah GA I replaced all the fuel lines, and the priming bulb last year. I also installed a new fuel pump, and a clear fuel filter between the fuel pump and the carbs. I pulled the carbs off last year and cleaned out the bowls. I also sprayed them out with carb cleaner. I didn't pull all the carbs apart and really give them a good cleaning.:facepalm: I knew better but thought maybe I could get by with that. One valuable lesson when dealing with fuel issues is clean everything thoroughly. If you don't you will spend allot of time chasing your tale...

By the way I go to the Chrysler forum regularly, and there are stickys there on how to synch the carbs and set the timing on the Chrysler and Force outboards.

I love these forums.. The fact that you can go to all the different forums and get the advice you need all at one site is great.. Thank you to all the people who contribute, and especially Thank You to Iboats for hosting this awesome forum...

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Did you take the carbs to church with you today? Every little bit helps!

It sounds like carb tear down and soaking time.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Did you take the carbs to church with you today? Every little bit helps!

It sounds like carb tear down and soaking time.

Didn't make it to church this morning:facepalm:, but I may call the preacher later today to come by and lay hands on them just for good measure...

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Okay Official Mothers Day splash.....

The Admiral and The First Mate patiently awaiting...





Rebuilt my carbs and we have WAKE!!!!!!:whoo: The GPS on my phone showed 32mph. That's with two adults and two teenagers who think they're adults.. Not to shabby for a 32 year old 75hp Chrysler.







Some fishing action from the First mate and his friend.



The first fish of the season.. Yeah I know not that impressive, but we were plenty excited..



Yeah it's hooked in the side. He was a drive by.

 

[Tnstratofam]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Here She is basically done. Well if any boat is really truly done that is.



I've still got to fix the small cracks in the rear of the splash well. I'm also looking for my leak. I think for now I'm going to take Lake Lovers advice and seal any suspicious rivets for now. I'm going to do up a total on materials for this project for anyone who may be interested. It has been a good learning experience, and I'm grateful for all the help I've gotten along the way.

Any one who thinks this project is too hard should remember if an old country boy from North East Tennessee can do it any one can...

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Love the pics. She looks great can't wait to see her in person.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Congrats on your excellent

 

[classiccat]

Re: Replacing my 16ft SS Starcrafts Transom

Congratulations!

I believe that makes 3 Starcraft Splashes in 1 day! :clap2: