64 Starcraft - bought motor & have ?'s --sorta lost

[lakelover]

I've been making slow progress on the boat. I bought a 2003 50hp Johnson from a boat rental place and now I have some questions & need advice to go in the right direction.

The guy sold it as a 2002, and I discovered it was an '03 when I looked up the model number. It has tilt/trim and the only extra it came with is the rod to attach the steering cable to it; no controls, cables, wiring, OMS tank or anything. I removed the plugs and the pistons look pretty carboned up, otherwise it looks quite clean and in good shape.

I've been looking at controls etc. and have found that:
1) It's all a lot more expensive than I thought it would be (ha ha, laughing at myself)
2) I am having trouble finding the proper wiring harness to go from control box to motor
3) I bought a repair manual and ordered an owner's manual
4) There is a tilt switch on the side; can I buy controls with just a trim switch and tilt manually or use the switch on the motor?
5) I would like to get it started up, but can I do that without and controls/cables/harness etc.? I have it on a stand in my shed right now and can't get it on the boat until I sell the old motor that's on there, and rebuild the transom or use a jack plate. I'm leaning toward a new transom at this point.
6) I would like to disable the OMS and use 50:1 premix--have to get advice & info on how to do that.
7) The boat now has cable and pulley steering. Should I trust that or put in new cable steering? I'm leaning that way.

I know this is a lot but I need to get pointed in the right direction & would appreciate any ideas....this is my first refurb, so I'm feeling my way.

Thanks...

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http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=309879

 

[109jb]

Re: 64 Starcraft - bought motor & have ?'s --sorta lost

This would probably be better asked on the Johnson engine forum, but it looks like a nice motor. As for cables, you can buy proper length cables from any of the marine supply chains including right here on iboats. For the controls I would look at e-bay. I have bought a few off of e-bay over the years. Just need to keep an eye out and decide how much you are willing to spend. Last one I bought was a johnson surface mount control and if I remember right I got it for $50. You can either look for flush mount or surface mount controls, with surface mount being the easiest. I believe there was a change in the mid 90's and the controls are different. I think this was just wiring, and the throttle and shift are the same, but you will need to check that. There are also universal controls that you can buy new. Sometimes you can find new dealer takeoff units pretty cheap. The other option is to call around to local boat repair places and they often times have controls laying around that they will sell. As far as the cylinders looking carboned, I wouldn't worry too much since it is a 2 stroke. I'm not familiar with the oiling system you mentioned as the newest Johnson motor I have had was a early 90's motor. The fuel tank won't be a problem as all you have to do is get a tank and a johnson specific fuel line with a primer bulb already installed. It hooks to the motor with a quik connect.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 64 Starcraft - bought motor & have ?'s --sorta lost

I would try ebay first, iboats sells controls too or the dealer.

The t & t on the motor is just to tilt the motor up when you are on the trailer or when fishing...... not the switch you will ever use while under way!!
I will move this post Nice motor!

 

[ezeke]

Re: 64 Starcraft - bought motor & have ?'s --sorta lost

What's the model number?

Use the parts lists on the BRP/Evirude site for part names and numbers for most of your needs. http://shop.evinrude.com/

You will want to have a factory service manual on hand: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Serv...90056780978QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature

What kind of control system is now on your boat?

 

[lakelover]

Re: 64 Starcraft - bought motor & have ?'s --sorta lost

What's the model number?

Use the parts lists on the BRP/Evirude site for part names and numbers for most of your needs. http://shop.evinrude.com/

You will want to have a factory service manual on hand: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Serv...90056780978QQptZMotorsQ5fManualsQ5fLiterature

What kind of control system is now on your boat?

Model # is J50PLSTD; the control on the boat is a 1964 West Bend that I want to sell along with that motor, and change everything over to new. I've had some success using the BRP parts list numbers on other sites but I have major confusion about what I can do with which controls...esp. having trouble with being sure to get the right wiring harness.

 

[lakelover]

Re: 64 Starcraft - bought motor & have ?'s --sorta lost

I would try ebay first, iboats sells controls too or the dealer.

The t & t on the motor is just to tilt the motor up when you are on the trailer or when fishing...... not the switch you will ever use while under way!!
I will move this post Nice motor!

Thanks, I wasn't sure which forum would be best for this. I'm not sure if I was clear in my question...I know the switch on the side is used solely for raising/lowering the motor...What I wonder is, would I be able to just use that to raise/lower, or even raise/lower by hand, while controlling only the trim remotely from the control box while underway? I saw Teleflex controls available both with just trim, or trim/tilt. I wonder how this would work and how the harness would integrate to that.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 64 Starcraft - bought motor & have ?'s --sorta lost

Edit: I misspoke, I see that the model has just a tilt unit. Either switch would control in the same way.

I see that the motor has the system check harness, so you will need a remote control system and cables built after 1995 or a conversion kit. I would try to find the newer controls and cable.