1972 Starcraft re-power options

[72StarcraftChieftain]

After watching our 1972 Starcraft Chieftain 21 foot aluminium I/O sit for the last 17 years. I decided to take it off my father's hands and rebuild it. The boat itself is still in decent shape. However my main concern is the drivetrain. It currently still has the original mercruiser 120/140 4 cylinder I/O setup which still runs but not sure for how much longer. We parked the boat because fluid was getting into the oil. We're not sure if the head warped or if it burned through the head gasket. No signs of a cracked block. I was only seven at the time and my father had lost interest in the boat and moved on to other projects. At this point I'm debating a complete rebuilt of the exsisting setup or going with a new Mercruiser/Volvo Penta setup. I know the original sterndrive was prone to the upper failing due to cooling/lubrication issues but its in excellent shape and we replaced the bearing with a high performance bearing before we stopped using it. Obviously a new setup would be more powerful, have a breakerless ignition and a more reliable sterndrive. But lose the novelty of originality. Just looking for your thoughts/ideas about the subject.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

Welcome to iboats.

Great decision to keep the Starcraft..... you are in good company here.... most of the people in the restoration section are addicted to them

Well I am a fan of the alpha one and the engine you have is probably one of the best made. You can rebuild the motor and install an electronic ignition.

I guess if I were seeking serious power I would look for a boat with a 4.3 v-6 coupled to an alpha outdrive. They are out there in project boats. I have not seen it done myself but you would have to do some mounting work.

Changing to another outdrive such as a volvo will require you getting new metal welded onto the hull and a new hole accurately cut.

 

[Rickairmedic]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

Welcome to iboats and the Starcraft club . I personally would look for a ( project boat ) with the same setup and rebuild it then swap it into your boat and put your drivetrain into the project boat and resell it as a project boat . I actually have a 74 Larson with the same setup in it that I just sold to another member to repower his boat with.


Rick

 

[wrfalpacas]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

I am currently working on a 68 starchief with the 120 setup. the motor is being completely rebuilt with new .020 oversize pistons and rings as well as hardened valve seats and polishing the crank/new oil pump/ magnafluxing and cleaning everything. a head/valve job on that engine is not really a big or expensive deal, and the engine will last forever. My vote is rebuild it/ with the light weight of that boat, it really is a nice power package. Oh yes, By the Way, MORE PICS

 

[72StarcraftChieftain]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

I agree about the motor, they are quite hardy and reliable. However my father had completely rebuilt the motor and outdrive only a few years prior to the the boats failure. If I'm not mistaken it was was for the same or similar reason that required the rebuild when we bought the boat. But the motor is not my main concern. The outdrive bothers me (really my father) more. As most of you are aware they were prone to bearing failures in the uppers due to cooling/lubrication issues. It's in excellent shape, but we have our reservations about continuing to use it. I understand at somepoint Mecruiser remedied this and came out with a revised setup that took care of that problem. And I've seen them for sale every so often and they're a direct bolt on. However after doing some research I'm leaning toward a new complete Mercruiser engine/sterndrive setup. I priced out puting in the updated outdrive and rebuilding/putting in a new retrofit 3.0 motor and although its cheaper it's not far off from a new complete sterndrive and engine combo. Plus with the new combo I'd probably be getting another 10-15 hp to the prop compared to the original setup. Have the benefits of the new alpha design and have much greater parts availability if and when things go south. Keep the comments or thoughts comming. Still researching. Pictures will come when I get the covers off it.

 

[tonydal]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

Wow!! I actually own this same boat. Same colors and everything. My grandfather purchased this new in 1972. The only difference is mine has the 165 inline 6. It's only been run a handful of times in the past decade but is still in very good shape. I live in Pennsylvania and am considering selling it simply due to a lack of time to love it.

 

[tistore]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

Getting the boat painted right now bought the seats and carpet so once i get the boat back i will start adding the interior. hope it looks good when it's done...putting more money into the boat then what it's worth...lol here is some pics hope they aren't too big like my last ones. please let me know if they are too big and how do i resize them?

Reglue and fibering the back
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_012.jpg

boat primered
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_008.jpg

this will be painted red ..front of boat
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_010.jpg

this is what the guy has done so far
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_006.jpg

the back of this turned out good ...terrible pics he sent with his phone
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/boat3.jpg

what it's suppose to look like when it's done with white seats instead of the red ones...also without back to back seats just want single seats so we have more room.
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/redglastron.jpg

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

Getting the boat painted right now bought the seats and carpet so once i get the boat back i will start adding the interior. hope it looks good when it's done...putting more money into the boat then what it's worth...lol here is some pics hope they aren't too big like my last ones. please let me know if they are too big and how do i resize them?

Reglue and fibering the back
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_012.jpg

boat primered
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_008.jpg

this will be painted red ..front of boat
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_010.jpg

this is what the guy has done so far
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/IMAGE_006.jpg

the back of this turned out good ...terrible pics he sent with his phone
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/boat3.jpg

what it's suppose to look like when it's done with white seats instead of the red ones...also without back to back seats just want single seats so we have more room.
http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy73/tistore/redglastron.jpg

PLEAS START your own post and do not HIJACK someone else's post

 

[tistore]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

sorry new to this how do you do that?

 

[old sam]

Re: 1972 Starcraft re-power options

new to the forum..I have 1972 Starcraft Cheiftain 140 I/O 3.0L and recently trashed my propeller. I can find no identifying marks on the 'remains'. Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations for propeller specs for this boat.

I live on a fresh water river in eastern canada.

I appreicate any help anyone has to offer

old sam