1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

[SCStephens]

I have been using this site quite a bit since buying this boat on craigslist. It is a 1967 Starcraft, but I am guessing on the model (Starchief) as it is not listed on my title or registration. I am the 3rd owner and it came with a pretty comprehensive service history. I figured I'd put up a picture as I haven't seen too many of these in searches that I have done. I'm not gutting it like a lot of people doing restores on here, but rather trying to fix up what is there.
So far I have:
Refinished most of the wood
Put the batteries in boxes
Heat Shielded the engine box
Rewired and fused almost everything
Installed a stereo
added many creature comforts like cup holders and such
done much minor maintenance

I am currently playing around with the motor as there has been quite a bit of blowby coming out of the valve cover vent. It has a mercruiser 110hp (2.5L) that is pretty clean but definitely a classic engine. I pulled the plugs and there was quite a bit of carbon visible in the cylinders. I proceded to run some seafoam in the oil for about an hour and let the tops soak in Marvel Mystery Oil for 24 hours. Upon starting it up today it appears the blowby has been much reduced, but I will definitely have to test it out more on the water. I was hoping the carbon was preventing the rings from sealing and to get it cleaned up and reevaluate my situation.




Hopefully these pictures work, I will try to get some more up when I find out where I put them

edit:

first run-Lake Manawa Council Bluffs, IA


Starcraft boat thread
http://forums.iboats.com/starcraft-boats/1966-starcraft-starchief-622868.html

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Welcome to iBoats!

Pics worked but are small. A Free Photobucket account is your best method for posting pics. Using the IMG Code to copy and paste the pics directly into your iBoats thread works great.

I'm not a "Tinner" but from what I've learned and seen here on the forum, I'd say you're correct about her being a "StarChief"
Very nice looking craft!!!!

Here's a pic of another iBoat Members 67 StarChief

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Thanks! I will get some more up here. On my end the pics are clickable to the larger size, but the forum seems to have thumbnailed them automatically. I thought it was very clean for it's age when I went to look at it, it is hard to beat something "unique" and "classic"

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Yeah, I'm a sucker for "Classic" My 61' Lonestar Flamingo said "Take me Home" and I listened!!!!!

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

"Classic" That is how I ended up with the 1979 Orange shag carpeted camper conversion van that I use as a tow vehicle as well
The stereo I put in ran about $120 including:
Boss "612UA MP3-Compatible Digital Media AM/FM Receiver"
Pyle Stereo shield
White Flexible antenna
2x Lanzar 6.5"
2x Lanzar 7.7"


Before

After
Surprisingly the plywood was in decent shape under the flaking finish except for the door which I am still debating on how to tackle. Stereo sounds pretty good (especially at it's price point) and is about what i'd expect from any non amplified set. The console wood wasn't in nearly as good of shape as the wall and will be another project to fix it up in the future. I am off today to get some new plugs, wires, and a new belt. There is nothing quite as wonderful as removing an engine mount to change out a belt.

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Anyone have any suggestions as to an out of the way place to store skis on a boat such as this? The best I have come up with so far is to either install benches on the sides or build some sort of swim platform/cabinet off of the back

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

You might devise some kind of clamp on rack to go across the back rails behind the engine cover.

 

[classiccat]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Welcome SCS!!! That's a great lookin' boat you have there! :thumb:

Here's the 1967 brochure.

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

That brochure is awesome! I have an original owners manual in rough shape if anyone needs that. The thing I notice is my cabin windows are different than the ones in the brochure. As far as I can tell so far they belong on the boat, but they are a different shape than the brochure windows. I know that the 110hp mercruiser isn't the original motor that came with the boat, but any clue on the windows?

 

[rheagler]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Cool Starchief, but I believe it is a '66. Here's the link to '66 brochure 661.jpg Photo by Lac_Huron | Photobucket
Check out the Starcraft section here... Starcraft Boats
Lots of good stuff there.
Welcome to the Starmada!

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

That's the window, looks like i'm mistitled, but nobody would know that but you guys
[URL=http://s731.photobucket.com/user/Lac_Huron/media/1966%20Starcraft%20brochure/6610.jpg.html] [/URL]

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Good looking boat, SC. You probably aren't mistitled. Some states title new boats in the calendar year sold, so maybe a prior year leftover. No biggie, we won't tell as long as you post more pics. Welcome to Tinhalla.

 

[laurentide]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

I just saw one of these (same cabin window) at the ramp today. Awesome boat! Good luck!

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

I almost bought a mid 90's ski boat until I saw this one and It definitely gets attention on the water. GPS top speed was 32mph (carrying 900# of people) which I think surprises people when it goes by. I hope that it will improve a little if I get this blowby thing worked out. Thanks everyone who has replied so far and bluefin16 for the '67 brochure and rheagler for clearing up the year for me

 

[rheagler]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

No prob SC. Mine is a '67, but I like the windows on yours better! Let's see more pics, we are all addicted.

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

I will get some more up, I am doing more of a restore than a rebuild on mine. It has been fun as I like to wrench on things. I'm not really trying to keep it historic or anything, but I'm not trying to turn it into a new boat either. I still have to figure out why my power tilt isn't working, but I got the belt and plugs changed today. I really want to paint it to match the van, but I don't know how white will look after being in our green lake and that is probably not going to happen until next year. When I got the van that I pull it with, I had to leave the orange shag carpet because I couldn't bring myself to deface it. I thought I was going to have to rebuild the motor this winter, but if the "snake oil" really worked I'm set on that. I don't know If I will work on upholstery this summer or wait for the winter.

 

[grzzzz]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

Great looking boat!!! I see on your outdrive support system you are holding up your outdrive with is a chain to the transom eye bolt. I suggest you fabricate/build/buy a "hook" that supports the weight/stresses back onto the outdrive/motor assembly and not onto a distal point of the transom. I have seen (including one of my doner boat) the stresses/forces bouncing over speed bumps/potholes etc pulls the eye bolt out of the transom. There is a forged/machines notch at the top of the gimble right where it meets the transom where one end goes them mine has two hooks that go around the lateral back bolts of the tilt cylinders. I think you can see it in the pics of my 66/67 (yes, it is a mystery) Holiday.



Again, great looking boat!

Grzzzz

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

thanks for the suggestion, I will take a look at it. they had it supported with an adjustable s hook to the same spot and the thing was so bent it was scary. I just grabbed that chain out of the garage and threw it on. I will take a peek when I get home and see if there is a better spot.

 

[SCStephens]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

No go on alternate mounting, must be a different outdrive. I might just loctite the mount in, would definitely be more secure,

 

[Bizzzay]

Re: 1967 Starcraft (Starchief?)

cant wait to see how it turns out. boats got a sweet look to it.