Dusting off the 67' Starcraft

[16vjohn]

My grandpa just gave me his old boat... From what I can tell it's a 67' Starcraft Bahama. It has a Mercury "350" with a 35hp maximum output. It's a two stroke with electric choke/start. I read the starting instructions and it said that it could be manually started without a battery. So I turn the key on, pressurize the line, turn the choke on and pull. I pulled and pulled and pulled like all hell, but never got it to fire. I took a spark plug out and saw that it was slightly wet, so I am assuming it's getting fuel inside. Also, the top cylinder is getting spark, so I am guessing the bottom cyl is too. So.... fuel and spark but no fire. What's my problem here? This boat has been sitting unused for atleast 20 years... but my grandpa properly stored it with fogging oil. The motor looks nearly new inside. The boat, even though it's 40+ years old still looks new despite looking like it came directly out of Ricky Ricardo's garage. I'm very new to the boating scene and would appreciate and suggestions.

Thanks in advance.

 

[16vjohn]

Re: Dusting off the 67' Starcraft

I guess that not a lot of people frequent these forums? Update: I got it to fire up by spraying ether in the intake while cranking... but only for a few seconds obviously. So the ignition system is functional, now it's just down to fuel. When I squeeze the primer pumper, I noticed that raw fuel leaks out of the carb on the side that mates to the engine. I would guess that this gasket has dried out and the vacuum the pulls the fuel into the engine is broken as a result. Would anyone agree? Now I just need to figure out where to get parts and how to get the dang thing off... Looks real crowded in there.

Lastly... I noticed there was no air filter????? I guess it's not common to find dust while out on the water but honestly... not even a filter screen? On modern outboards, do they fit them with filters?

 

[JB]

Re: Dusting off the 67' Starcraft

You have a fuel supply problem, John. You will have somethng a lot worse if you continue to put ether in a 2 stroke. . .no lube and explosive. Use fuel mix.

Go to the Engine FAQs Forum and do "Outboard won't start" and maybe "Awakening a sleeping outboard".

We have been having server trouble so there are only a few hundred people on at once. It has taken so long to get a page loaded that they aren't answering problems that have an obvious solution in the FAQs Forum.

Try those and let us know what you get.