1972 starcraft ss 18 I/O 120 mercruiser

[Ssnedbilly]

1973 Starcraft ss I/O transom replacement???

Hello, im probably in over my head here but my father had a older model of this boat with the closed bow. I loved it. Agianst better judgement i bought this boat but i love the style and the 120 mercruiser started and purred like a kitten. Im planning a full rebuild. I plan on fixing the previous owners drill happy caulk filled holes with super alloy 5 and also leaky riviots. But i need help with how to replace the transom. Ive searched and can not find anything on I/O aluminum transom replacments.

 

[jbcurt00]

Lots of I/O transoms being replaced in the Starcraft forum.

Take a look:

http://forums.iboats.com/forum/owners-groups-by-manufacturer/s/starcraft-boats
Please post pix of your boat, and welcome to iboats

 

[Ssnedbilly]

Thank you that will help me a ton!!

 

[Ssnedbilly]

 

[Ssnedbilly]

 

[jbcurt00]

Billy,
I combined your topics about the SS. For reference, if you start a topic and decide it's better suited to a different sub-forum, just ask a MOD to move it for ya, it's no problem

The Starmada will be along to help and harass you, good luck w/ your project

 

[Ssnedbilly]

Thank you I am still trying to navigate the site without gps!!! It is going to be a lot of work but when I drop her in for the first time start it up it will all be worth it

 

[Watermann]

:welcome: to the Starmada!

About time we got another brave soul that wants a Merc I/O! Myself and Dozer are 2 of the I/O guys that are most active here but if we can't answer your questions, there's always the Merc forum.

If you check out my Chief thread you'll see that I went from the older MC set up like you have to a newer Alpha One and a little increase in HP along the way as well.

 

[Ssnedbilly]

Wow I will take some time to look at all the pics and im sure they will be super helpful. That is a beautiful boat. I've been looking for about two years for this style StarCraft. there is more hull damage than I would like there to be but that will just take a little work. I'm a welder by trade so brazing aluminum is not a prob . Its the wiring nightmare im worried about. And I've never replaced a transom before but since im gutting it im doing it. Thank you in advance because I will need your guys help. Also glad to finally be a member of Starmada !!!!!!!!!

 

[dozerII]

Welcome to the Starmada great looking SS. My Holiday restore covers transom replacement it is the same hull with the closed bow. Fire away with your questions.

 

[Watermann]

Wow I will take some time to look at all the pics and im sure they will be super helpful. That is a beautiful boat. I've been looking for about two years for this style StarCraft. there is more hull damage than I would like there to be but that will just take a little work. I'm a welder by trade so brazing aluminum is not a prob . Its the wiring nightmare im worried about. And I've never replaced a transom before but since im gutting it im doing it. Thank you in advance because I will need your guys help. Also glad to finally be a member of Starmada !!!!!!!!!

The wiring is actually very simple on these older boats so don't be intimidated by the rats nest that's there.

 

[Ssnedbilly]

Man seeing all these pics makes me want to tear into it!! I have to get set up first. This is my first project and want to plan it out right step by step. I need to buy a compresser capabale of running air tools. Mostly for re bucking riviots and metal working. I figure hull first than go from there.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome to the Starmada, Ssnedbilly.

If you don't get good help here, you won't find it anywhere. As the others have said, we have plenty of IO transom replacements here. And then there is Watermann's transom replacement with some hotrodding along the way. One guy even switched out an OMC Stringer which has a garage door sized transom cutout to a relativity petite sized Mercruiser driveline. Thankfully you avoided that.

Glad to see you keeping with your family tin tradition. Again welcome to our family.

 

[Ssnedbilly]

Now seeing the pics the transom doesnt seem that hard. Lookin thru the motor while the boat is still together makes it look intimidating. Ive been a fabricator for 15 yrs so building stuff comes easy. The pic in my profile was my fathers boat. When my dad passed it got put into storage and never winterized. Cracked block. In hindsight that would have been an easy swap. His hull was also in great shape. Im still upset it got sold. But this ss will fit my familys needs better with the open bow. I see now the Starmada has my back woth any questions i would have. My service manuals should arive today!!! E bay both volumes $24.00

 

[Ssnedbilly]

Got the books today. Im still trying to figure out where im going to start this project. I can rig pullys to my rafters to pull the lower unit and maybe the motor. Prob is if i put the boat sideways with the stern drive off it just may fit!

 

[Watermann]

The outdrive isn't that heavy, it's nice to have 2 guys with both halves together but you could always take off the lower first, it's the heavy one with all the gears.

 

[Grandad]

The outdrive isn't that heavy, it's nice to have 2 guys with both halves together but you could always take off the lower first, it's the heavy one with all the gears.

I built an A-frame out of 2 x 4's and supported the outdrive from the apex using the handy top ring on this model. Working alone, I forced the bottom legs of the critically dimensioned A-frame forward which lifted the outdrive's weight and then I pivoted the top of the frame aft causing the drive to smoothly pull away from the transom in a controlled way. Also, since the engine sounds like it's a keeper, once it's disconnected from the transom, try just scooting it forward on blocks within the engine bay, rather than hoisting it out of the boat when replacing the transom. That little 4 cylinder moves pretty easily. - Grandad

 

[Ssnedbilly]

There is an islander 21ft for sale an hr away from my house!! If i had the room id buy it. Look at my photo bucket pics i posted the listing

 

[Ssnedbilly]

Took her on the water today to check the engine. Ran perfect. Hopefully by next weekend ill be pulling the drive and motor and getting ready for the hull repair.

 

[Watermann]

So ahem, got any pics of the maiden voyage you'd like to share?