I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

[shameless]

Hello Starcraft Owners!!!!!
I am the Very Proud new owner of a 1976 Starcraft SS18.
I/O version with 140 mercruiser.
I drove 400 km north to pick it up and 400 km home last Tuesday.
Approx 4 hours each way.
I will post some pics shortly.
I water tested it this morning.........
All is well.
This is my first boat with I/O. My last boat was much smaller and had an outboard motor.
I am planning my resto as I type this and am very happy to see so many pics of other members restorations.
I am sure I will pester all of you with plenty of questions.
The previous owner did not know much about the boat.
I would like to know if I should be using a lead substitute in the fuel and using premium gas.
Is there an automotive cross reference for spark plugs and wires as well as oil filters?
All the local Marine shops close at noon on Saturdays and I was hoping to chage these parts this weekend.

 

[coolbikeguy]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

congrats on the boat shameless and welcome to the starcraft nut house. one thing about the starcraft ... there are alot of guys on here with good info. i know you said you would add pics soon but ..... TIME IS UP .... show us the pics LMAO..... cOngrats again CBG

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!! with pics

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!! with pics

Hi Guys:
Well here are some pics from the ad on Kijiji.
When it stops raining I will take some pics and add them.
It looks better in person!!

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!! with pics

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!! with pics

Hi Guys:
Well here are some pics from the ad on Kijiji.
When it stops raining I will take some pics and add them.
It looks better in person!!

Resto on what??? It looks awesome..
I dont recall ever seeing seats like that, are original?
I would have drove 4 hours for that.
I like the color too, and the trailer looks in great shape also. Nice find.

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!! with pics

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!! with pics

Resto on what??? It looks awesome..
I dont recall ever seeing seats like that, are original?
I would have drove 4 hours for that.
I like the color too, and the trailer looks in great shape also. Nice find.

The bottom color is fine.
The top color, not so much.
I am leaning towards either blue or tan or a combination of both.
I have vinyl in both colors and the resto is planned to update the interior and the seating.
The top paint and inside paint would be done to match those colors as well.
The floor was replaced at some point but he original foam is still in there.
The carpet is worn out on the floor.
The carpet in the bow is a berber remnat from the PO living room.....
The seats sort of look like modified office chairs?????
They are comfortable though, but the color, yuk!
I may recover them as it appears that no sewing is required and I have the materials.
The rain has stopped. time to get more pics.
I will be posting them shortly...
Any one able to answer the questions from my first post????

 

[dozerII]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Wow What an awsome looking boat, GOOD ON YA SHAMELESS. The Starcraft "Starmada" grows. I drove lots for my SS 18 as well, and today was her maiden voyage as you can read and see in my post. Great boats and fun to drive.
Glen

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

more pictures of my new baby!!!!
Sorry I took so long.
I got a call from my fishin buddy and he told about a door crasher sale on life jackets.
"Fluid" brand PFD's regular $49.95 for $19.95.
Since I can carry more passengers now I thought it wise to buy a few extras.
Great deal!!
So here are a few more pics.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Love them seats as well...I think you have to name her CLOSE SHAVE! lol

Great looking boat..
As far as your questions on spark plugs and wire set..

You may get away with auto wires, but I think marine are more stout with a better boot.
Here from the iboat store is a Mallory set

http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...&gd_poid=355873&gd_row=2&**********=193303992

And for spark plugs..I do have automotive plugs in mine, however I have been told the marine plugs are more corrosion resistant..But I am not sold on that as a fact

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Love them seats as well...I think you have to name her CLOSE SHAVE! lol

Great looking boat..
As far as your questions on spark plugs and wire set..

You may get away with auto wires, but I think marine are more stout with a better boot.
Here from the iboat store is a Mallory set

http://www.iboats.com/mall/partfind...&gd_poid=355873&gd_row=2&**********=193303992

And for spark plugs..I do have automotive plugs in mine, however I have been told the marine plugs are more corrosion resistant..But I am not sold on that as a fact

Thanks Kev.
I got the same NGK plugs that were in the motor, NGK BR6ES.
I hope they are the right ones cause they are exspensive!

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I am having trouble uploading pics.
I will try again later.......
back on the water in the morning for a more intense session.
I will take some video...and upload.
thanks for all the positive comments.
I have lurked around the iBoat forums for 4 years and noticed that "Starmada" is the largest group.
I wanted a Strarcraft after reading all the threads and now I have one.
I appreciate all the time and effort everyone has put into the forum and I know I will call on all the resources of such a great group of enthusiasts.

THANKS TO ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Daltonxj]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I use photobucket works alot better and you can set your upload size...

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

I use photobucket works alot better and you can set your upload size...

Thanks Dalton>
Lets see if this works

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

more pics...

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

got it workin now....

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Second voyage today.
Starts fine and fast, idles fine, slight dead spot at initial throttle up.
I am trying to get used to an I/O.....
From slow cruise to nailing the throttle the engine comes to life and the boat planes out insanely fast and climbs quickly to 35 ish mph according to the speedo
(which the PO told me was only off by 1or2mph when compared to gps)
I sold my gps with my last boat and am looking for a fishfinder/gps combo to put in this vessel.
That said I find that after reaching what seems like top speed, the boat begins to slow down... to 30 mph on the speedo.
I did say that I amnew to the I/O world and my previous boat did not require trimming.
I tried adjusting the trim once on plane and lifted the drive up until the nose started to "porpoise" up and down and the steering felt very heavy.
The boat still lost speed, not as much but still lost.
If I got out of the throttle and coasted to alsmost a stop and then nailed the throttle it would go back to 35 mph and then decrease speed again.
This process would happen wiuthin 2 minutes of reaching top speed.......
I also noticed that the engine would not rev past about 3800 rpm..
Is this normal??
Am I trimming the engine wrong or too late??
Why does the boat actually slow down??
All hands on deck......
What the heck is going on with my boat?????

 

[dozerII]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

What size prop do you have on yours Shameless? I am having some issues with props as well. These I/O's take some learning from what I can see. I am used to looking at the O/B to see where it is trimmed and that don't work on the I/O. I have a wireless hitch camera I am thinking about putting on the the back deck to watch the out drive till I can figure it out.
Glen

 

[elkhunter338]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

My I/O also a 140hp has a gauge on it that shows where the outdrive is, it's like a mini outdrive inside a gauge with a cable. I never trim my I/O so I just use the gauge for trailering the boat on how far up to raise the I/O.
Mine also only turns 3900 rpms, I have been told these old tach's are sometimes off by 300-600 rpms.
I am not too worried about the engine it sounds like it rev's up plenty and I have not boughten another tack to verify if the tach is wrong.
Mine also has a dead spot on acceleration, the fuel accelerator pump is working, I think the eth gas might have something to do with it.
I caution making abrupt stops, you might risk water coming back up your exhaust and into the engine especially if for some reason the engine stalls on deeceleration. Mine broke a timing gear and we came to a quick stop with the engine off and it filled mine up with salt water.

 

[shameless]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

My I/O also a 140hp has a gauge on it that shows where the outdrive is, it's like a mini outdrive inside a gauge with a cable.
I never trim my I/O so I just use the gauge for trailering the boat on how far up to raise the I/O.

Mine also only turns 3900 rpms, I have been told these old tach's are sometimes off by 300-600 rpms.

I am not too worried about the engine it sounds like it rev's up plenty and I have not boughten another tack to verify if the tach is wrong.
Mine also has a dead spot on acceleration, the fuel accelerator pump is working, I think the eth gas might have something to do with it.

I caution making abrupt stops, you might risk water coming back up your exhaust and into the engine especially if for some reason the engine stalls on deeceleration. Mine broke a timing gear and we came to a quick stop with the engine off and it filled mine up with salt water.

Thanks Elkhunter!

I have a guage that shows up and down for the outdrive as well it sort of bobs up and down so I question its accuarcy.

I found that when the outboard is all the way down it turns like a F1 car, very direct and stuck to the water. With the trim up and the steering a bit heavier it feels like a boat. It arcs higher into the turn, Turn to port in this scenario and the starboard side raises,the port side lowers and a beautiful arching turn ensues.

I stated that the revs back off after initial launch and plane out,from approx 4200 down to 3800 ish. I dont understand why the revs drop off and never return....

I plan on replacing all the guages as they are 24 years old.....

Calling the local marina to cost out a proper tune up.
I wanna take out my wife and kids this weekend coming and want everything to be right!!

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

Shameless finding cures to that sort of problem can be ?.. hard. (Canadian humor)
RPM drop at WOT (wide open throttle) under load.
Best advice I can give you would be to search the I/O forums for a similar problem and read the posts. Use search terms like ?RPM drop 140? or ?loss of power 140hp?
If you don?t have any luck, post over on the inboard group.
Someone may know the problem and have a fix for you.
While your waiting for a reply you can try to pin down the bad part.
Buy a good manual for your motor and leg.
Public library has manuals that you can look at if need be.
Others may know of online manuals for your motor.
Your motor has a number of systems that must all work for it to make power.
Fuel, Air, Compression, Spark and Cooling
I have found that if I test each system and rule out the ones that work I can track down the problem. Not always but it has help me keep my boat running.
Check and test the stuff that you don?t have to spend major coin on.
Resist the urge to buy parts and throw them on until the problem goes away.
Check (read) your spark plugs for signs of a lean condition or oil fouling.
Most manuals have a colour page that shows and explains spark plug wear.
Goggle ?read spark plugs? and you may find one online
Change the spark plugs if they look worn.
Do a compression test to rule out the rings and head.
Checked out your fuel system.
If your inclined pop the carbs and give them a good clean and blow out all passages with compressed air.
Check your fuel tank and lines by hooking a spare tank to the motor at the fuel pump.
Fuel pump is tested with a pressure gauge others may know other ways.
Do you have a water separator / filter on your fuel line? Check or change the fuel filter if you find lots of water and crud. Is your tank any good? Does it have water in it?

When you go through each system you will learn your boat inside and out.

Or you could bring it to a marina, but call first to see when they can get you in.

Sorry I can?t tell you what part to replace, as I don?t know your motor.
Now if it was a Volvo I might have some better advice.

GLG
1975 18.5 Starchief

 

[barato]

Re: I bought a Starcraft SS 18,,,yeah !!!!

in 35+ yrs of working on motors from flathead Ford to 13000 rpm sportbikes, i keep re-teaching myself the same basic lesson: get the basics right before you go trying to diagnose running issues. IOW, do complete tune-up and carb rebuild, THEN see if your issue is stll there.

one thing no one's mentioned that seems likely if engine won't pull WOT for long periods is partial fuel starvation....clogged filter (remember the sintered metal one at fuel inlet on most rochester carbs) is most likely, slowly-going-bad pump is another possibility.