I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

[starcrafter65]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I have 18' 140 IO too....I did notice porpoising when trimmed up - so I just trimmed it back - not sure if a fin would change that - but fins make turning terrible. I am not too worried about top speed/trimming it way up - so I just don;'t trim up anymore.

Using 19p - but I am going to get a 17 replacment.

If the boat was sitting I would start with a carb rebuild. Take it to a mechanic - probably does not have to be a marine mechanic. They will stick it in solvent for a day and rebuild all the little bits with a kit. Should costy 100 bucks. Repalce fuel filter.

Replace the points and condensor.

I would bet that will make a BIG difference for $200.

Nice Boat

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Nice rig Shameless...welcome to the fleet

I can't help you on the Merc but generally you want the motor trimmed down when starting from a stop and once she planes out trim her up until the bow starts to rise a bit, then back down just a hair.

This should give you the quickest hole shot and highest top speed. You may have already done this, not sure.

The bow cover is a huge bonus by the way, there are many SS owners here that are jealous

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I have 18' 140 IO too....I did notice porpoising when trimmed up - so I just trimmed it back - not sure if a fin would change that - but fins make turning terrible. I am not too worried about top speed/trimming it way up - so I just don;'t trim up anymore.

Using 19p - but I am going to get a 17 replacment.

If the boat was sitting I would start with a carb rebuild. Take it to a mechanic - probably does not have to be a marine mechanic. They will stick it in solvent for a day and rebuild all the little bits with a kit. Should costy 100 bucks. Repalce fuel filter.

Replace the points and condensor.

I would bet that will make a BIG difference for $200.

Nice Boat

Thanks 65.
I will contuinue to experiment with the trim.
This saturday will have the boat loaded with 3 adults and 3 kids so I will know even better how the trim functions.

The carburetor has been rebuilt but I am unsure if it was set up prorperly.

I bought all the tune up bits at one of my customer's brothers marina. I got lucky!
wires, cap, points, condenser, both fuel filters, semi sythetic motor oil, synthetic lower unit oil, plugs, oil filter for $205 including tax.

I now have the OEM service manual thanks to another member.
I now have some reading and work to do.
Thanks Again.

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Nice rig Shameless...welcome to the fleet

I can't help you on the Merc but generally you want the motor trimmed down when starting from a stop and once she planes out trim her up until the bow starts to rise a bit, then back down just a hair.

This should give you the quickest hole shot and highest top speed. You may have already done this, not sure.

The bow cover is a huge bonus by the way, there are many SS owners here that are jealous

Thanks HA.
The hole shot is incredible as is and I may change props to attain a bit more top end.
The bow cover is tattered but will be a great pattern for the new one I have planned.
Thanks Again

 

[fshngho]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Shameless, I have never owned a IB/OB (tons of OB's) but an engine is an engine and I would have to agrre with Barato. I am thinking fuel starvation. When at idle or lower rpms you have a good supply, but when you hit the higher rpms the fuel is restricted or I am thinking low fuel in the carb bowl. At higher rpms the engine isn't getting enough fuel to maintain speed, when you cut back it catches up. As far as steering, the higher the speed the less boat in the water which puts more torque on the lower unit. That is the 'rudder' and takes the pressure of the water. Its normal unless you want to invest in a better steering system.
BTW- a good tach and water pressure gauge are the two MOST IMPORTANT things needed for the engine. Forget the trim/tilt gauge and use your senses, feel, hearing and you will be able to tell where the sweet spot is for your cruisng location. Practice, practice paractice, of course this means more time on the water

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Shameless, I have never owned a IB/OB (tons of OB's) but an engine is an engine and I would have to agrre with Barato. I am thinking fuel starvation. When at idle or lower rpms you have a good supply, but when you hit the higher rpms the fuel is restricted or I am thinking low fuel in the carb bowl. At higher rpms the engine isn't getting enough fuel to maintain speed, when you cut back it catches up. As far as steering, the higher the speed the less boat in the water which puts more torque on the lower unit. That is the 'rudder' and takes the pressure of the water. Its normal unless you want to invest in a better steering system.
BTW- a good tach and water pressure gauge are the two MOST IMPORTANT things needed for the engine. Forget the trim/tilt gauge and use your senses, feel, hearing and you will be able to tell where the sweet spot is for your cruisng location. Practice, practice paractice, of course this means more time on the water

Thanks Fishinho:
It freaked me out when the steering got heavy at first. I now understand why.
Its not bad just different and I did not expect it.
I would not add power steeering if thats what you mean.
It is a teleflex type system now.
I have new guages as pictured.
I could not find water temp or water pressure at the store I purchaes them form so I may have to order on line.
I do have a temp guage at present but it is the basic low to high type rather than actual degrees.
I chose white guages to modernize the dash.
They have not been installed yet.
I am cookin up concepts for my fall tear down and reno.

I have to practise on the water??????????????????
DAMN I HATE THAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL........................
Thanks.

 

[fshngho]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Quote "I have to practise on the water??????????????????
DAMN I HATE THAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL........................

Yeah I know, its a dirty job but someone has to do it.
All the mechanics I know say throw away the temp gauge and get a water pressure. Depending on where the sensor is mounted, you often do not get accurate readings from temp guage and when you do its too late. I forgot to mention the trim tab below the cavition plate, make sure its adjusted or it will cause hard steering.

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Quote "I have to practise on the water??????????????????
DAMN I HATE THAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOL........................

Yeah I know, its a dirty job but someone has to do it.
All the mechanics I know say throw away the temp gauge and get a water pressure. Depending on where the sensor is mounted, you often do not get accurate readings from temp guage and when you do its too late. I forgot to mention the trim tab below the cavition plate, make sure its adjusted or it will cause hard steering.

thanks ho.
What water pressure should i be seeing?
I ask because it is a raw water system, I did not think there was pressure???
I know a auto is at about 15 psi according to the rad cap.

Thanks

 

[fshngho]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I honestly couldn't tell you as all I have had are OB's. I may be telling you wrong, just don't know. I think on OB's the pressure isn't much at all, depending on size and what rpm you are turning. It certainly makes sense to me though.

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I honestly couldn't tell you as all I have had are OB's. I may be telling you wrong, just don't know. I think on OB's the pressure isn't much at all, depending on size and what rpm you are turning. It certainly makes sense to me though.

It doesn't make sense to me...
In a car the closed and pressurised system runs at 15psi.
I cannot find any info on the expected water pressure form an open ended system??
Thanks.
I will keep reading.

 

[barato]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

no idea on specifics, but......

even in an "open" system, there will be some designed-in restriction to slow the water flow for more complete heat transfer. this is the same reason why it's a bad idea to remove thermostats....they are designed-in flow restriction....many engines run hotter w/o one cuz coolant passes through block/head too fast to absorb max amount of heat

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

no idea on specifics, but......

even in an "open" system, there will be some designed-in restriction to slow the water flow for more complete heat transfer. this is the same reason why it's a bad idea to remove thermostats....they are designed-in flow restriction....many engines run hotter w/o one cuz coolant passes through block/head too fast to absorb max amount of heat

Thanks barato.
I have not found the answer...

 

[starcrafter65]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I think engine temp and oil pressure are what you want to see....well plus fuel level, amps, revs, speed, water temp, humidity, dew temp, nautical speed, .....

I am a kidder - I like seeing oil pressure and motor temp - those go away and you are pulling a NB and putting a new motor in....

Save those old gauges!

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I think engine temp and oil pressure are what you want to see....well plus fuel level, amps, revs, speed, water temp, humidity, dew temp, nautical speed, .....

I am a kidder - I like seeing oil pressure and motor temp - those go away and you are pulling a NB and putting a new motor in....

Save those old gauges!

I am going to be cautious on this project.

I am replacing new items after removing old items.
My last boat was not able to be put back to original as many of the mods used the original parts as a foundation.
I will keep the guages and dashboard in one piece and stored for the day when I decide to go back to original.
Thanks.