1979 Starcraft Super Sport 70hp Johnson Ideas for the Restoration... ?

[littleblueboat]

Hey Guys, I have a '79 16' Super Sport with a 70hp Johnson that appears to run great. It is averaging about 31mph. Does this sound correct or too slow. I just got the boat and was debating doing plugs, the cylinders are reading around 115 compression in all 3 cylinders. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

 

[Watermann]

Hey LBB, Welcome to the iboats tin division. :welcome:

Sounds like a nice healthy set up. Yeah it depends but low 30's is what you can expect with a normal load out pushed by a 70. What RPM's are you running at WOT and is that GPS? I've seen some guys run 34 - 36 with the same rig.

Oh yeah and hows about some pics of your SS?

 

[littleblueboat]

I am not sure about the RPMs, currently none of the gauges work. I am planning on this being my winter restoration project. Right now I am going to just enjoy it for a few months and plan for an october start on the restoration. I am looking for ideas and recommendations on the restore. I would like to make a great fishing boat out of it. I have attached pics. Open to ideas! Thanks LBB

 

[Watermann]

Oh yeah, she is very worthy of a complete restoration that's for sure! :thumb:

That era of 3 cyl Johnny's are great motors too, you have a real nice base of power and fuel economy in that set up.

Hey LBB get yourself a photobucket account, upload your pics and just paste in the IMG link into your posts, it's the best way to share pics here.

 

[classiccat]

:welcome: That's a great setup!

 

[laurentide]

I think you can get a little bit more out of that engine by playing with height and trim. I have an 18' Chieftain with the same engine and have hit 33-34 on GPS by myself. My engine is mounted as low as it can be, and I run it on the second hole out. But the 16'/18' transoms may differ some.

One thing I recently learned the hard way: do not let that engine overheat. It's a well designed motor with the exception of the poorly internally supported exhaust manifold plates. When they overheat these plates will warp and then you've got water in the cylinders...which, if you don't notice right away, will ruin your powerhead. Other than that, it's a super engine that's not too thirsty and has plenty of low end torque. Mine's in the process of a partial rebuild after what I just described, but it's pretty cheap and easy (I didn't damage pistons/rings/cylinders).

Nice rig! Watch out for weeds on the lower unit!

 

[littleblueboat]

Thanks guys, I'll get a photo bucket account tonight! I am new to this site, I was on tinboats.net but it seems like there are a lot more starcraft guys over here on iboats. I am going to try and change out the spark plugs this weekend and see how that helps. I have not tested it with just one guy in the boat on a smooth lake. The speed test with with 2 guys and some choppy waves. I am currently pricing everything out for the rebuild. I only spent $500 on the boat so I can justify putting a few bucks into her.

 

[Watermann]

Yeah and we're way better looking over here at iboats too!

Don't worry so much about speed with a 70 HP, mid 30's is all it will do and it's not ever going to be a speed boat. I believe reliability is the main thing and a worthy goal to have when it comes to any motor.

Yeah tight budgets and buying boat parts are a bit of an oxymoron. I started buying parts for my restos long in advance of the rebuild. Start shopping for seats, steering wheel, cleats, bilge pumps and everything else you can think of now and have it on hand when needed for the rebuild. It keeps the smell of burning plastic down to a tolerable level. :lol:

 

[littleblueboat]

Yeah, I am cool with the speed that it is currently producing. It seems to be very reliable, it starts right up each time. I have already started shopping for the rebuild, I figure if I buy 1 item at a time here and there, the wife won't notice as much. lol Looking for advice on a few things. What difference to you find in seat posts from the thin ones to the old school thick ones? What thickness do you guy recommend for the floor boards? Carpet, do I have to buy "marine carpet" or can I just use outdoor carpet from lowes or home depot?

And yes, much better looking over here at iBoats, I am glad that I could add to the good looking Stars over here!