1985 Skeeter Starfire Rebuild

[kb5fjx]

Well ran into a snag, the great USPS delivers my drive shaft socket shipping container, with a hole in it and no socket. I won't repeat my comments here when I found it was missing.

 

[gm280]

Well ran into a snag, the great USPS delivers my drive shaft socket shipping container, with a hole in it and no socket. I won't repeat my comments here when I found it was missing.

Maybe some one else needed to use it and will return it after they are finish. :noidea:

I do feel you paint though. Kind of like you order something and need it to finish a job and when it get to your place, it isn't what you ordered.

Try to have a good day anyways. :thumb:

 

[Ianlinares]

After ripping the boat apart have you had a chance to finish cleaning it up? Love to see pic. I like the way these bass boats look.

 

[kb5fjx]

I'll shoot some photos after the bad weather on Saturday, they are calling for snow and sleet after rain, it was in the 70's today. Go figure?

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Same here in PA, 70 today, snow showers tomorrow. I think my maple trees are pretty confused at this point.

 

[kb5fjx]

I got the lower unit rebuilt for the 60hp Evinrude on my pontoon, I tore it all the way down to make sure all the gears ect.. where OK, I ended up replacing the shaft as it had rust damage below the water pump right where the shaft seal sits. We took it out yesterday (Saturday) to try it out, I had done some adjustment on the shiftier linkage, and thought I had it right, but after getting it in the water and putting it in forward gear, NOTHING!

I keep a set of tools on the boat, so I pulled the cover off the motor and adjusted it enough to do some fishing. Today I went out and fine tuned the adjustments of the linkage. I hope it's right this time.

I hope I can get back to work on the Skeeter restore now.

 

[kb5fjx]

I guess everyone has giving up on me. I have been doing maintenance on my pontoon boat filling batteries and repairing some battery connections. I have also torn down the 50hp motor for the bass boat, I am glad I did, 2 cylinders had very bad scored pistons and cylinders as well as broken bolts in the block where the water chamber cover goes onto the block.

I found a new block (NOS) from a dealer in the UK for $311 dollars, I can salvage the crank and connecting rods off the old motor and get a rebuild kit with new pistons. I guess I will have a more or less new 1982 50hp. I am repainting some of the engine parts and replacing decals. I have also been repainting parts that go on the bass boat. So I am working on the boat rebuild, just not on the hull repairs.

I will get back on the hull tomorrow, I will upload photos tomorrow also.

 

[Slager]

I'm still here. That sounds like quite a bit of work. Having a like new engine will be nice. Looking forward to the photos.

 

[gm280]

Your boat project is starting to sound like mine. It started with fixing the boat, then the engine had some issues, and then the trailer. So everything was rebuilt. Some times it is how things work out. But just think of the entire project how great is all will be once you finish.

 

[kb5fjx]

Your boat project is starting to sound like mine. It started with fixing the boat, then the engine had some issues, and then the trailer. So everything was rebuilt. Some times it is how things work out. But just think of the entire project how great is all will be once you finish.

Oh don't even bring up the trailer! I have a LOT of work to do on it. I need to finish the demolition on the boat so i can get it off the trailer. That's a hole new chapter in this saga. I didn't get any photos today, ended up working on the lawn mower so my wife could mow the lawn, always something.

 

[gm280]

Oh don't even bring up the trailer! I have a LOT of work to do on it. I need to finish the demolition on the boat so i can get it off the trailer. That's a hole new chapter in this saga. I didn't get any photos today, ended up working on the lawn mower so my wife could mow the lawn, always something.

Well if it is any consolation, I think we all have to juggle yard work, house and vehicle repairs and boat projects all the time. I know I do. Seems when I want to work on the boat, I have to mow the yard, and then something always need repaired either on the vehicles or house. So things don't always work put like planned. Don't worry about the trailer. It's time will come.

 

[kb5fjx]

Oh I am not complaining, it just life. This was the first cut of the year. We have 10 acres 5 of which are grass and the wife wanted to get it cut before the rain moves in Monday and Tuesday, we have a zero turn cub cadet with a bad battery, and I had to put an extra car battery on it for now. Next trip to Wal Mart I will pick up a new one. Today we built new stands for the pontoon to keep the tarp at a steep angle so the rain will run off quick and not collect in any spots.

 

[kb5fjx]

OK here are are some photos of all the current projects I have been talking about.

Today's project was building this support for the pontoon cover so the rain can't pool on the Tarp.

The crank from the 50hp mercury off the bass boat, I will be using when building the new block, and the new 50hp block.

One of the bad pistons from the old motor

The lower unit I rebuilt for the pontoon motor

 

[Pusher]

Oh my, those are some nice pics! I'm still here. I've been getting side tracked with various jobs around the house too but my project's nearing the end after almost 3 years. I actually just did a tarp setup in my boat with about the same angle also replaced the thermostat and gasket... So we've had similar weeks lately.

Keep up the good work! Nice looking outboard.

 

[kb5fjx]

Ok folks, I guess I better post something here so my thread won't get locked down. I finally saved up enough money to order the rebuild kit for my 50hp Mercury. I am starting the rebuild tonight it's nice and cool out so I can work in my storage building. I will shoot some pics and post them here. I need to work fast while it's cooled down, I need to have everything on this boat finished by April 14 of 2018 for a tournament I am putting on.

 

[kb5fjx]

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Getting ready for the rebuild.

 

[kb5fjx]

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All together and ready to put on the crank.

 

[chevymaher]

aren't those new parts pretty.

 

[kb5fjx]

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aren't those new parts pretty.

Yep they are and it look better the farther along I get.

 

[kb5fjx]

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Now sanding on the top cap, getting all the nasty clear coat off and my wife had been grinding down to good glass in the transom area.