I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

[Saskatoon2005]

Hello,

Firstly, I have used this forum, many many times and have always had very very good replies and have always had my problems fixed. So I have no doubt that people on here can help me once again.

I bought a 1975 Starcraft boat with a 140Hp i/o and a 3.0 4 cyl OMC motor and drive system. I was told the motor did not run. The temperature here is -7 degrees celcius. So I don't know how much I can work on it, but what are the first steps in repairing this boat? What should I start with doing? How can I find out what is wrong with this boat? Any and all advise is going to help me a lot.

Patrick

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

well there are many reasons why an engine wont run so I guess you need to first see and check on a few things.

Do you know if the motor is seized up? How can you check? Well from what I read on here you can pull the plugs out and see if you can turn the motor by hand. You will problably need a big socket and a big bar to see if the motor turns by hand.

If it does maby you have a chance at making it run.

whats the wiring look like do you know? maby just the starter is bad? what does it do as it is if you try to turn crank it?

Lots of possibilities!!!

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

I was told that there may have been water in the motor and it froze. So am curious to know how much damage that may have caused. Even if the motor is seized from water damage then I will have to dismantle it and rebuild it.

It is possible to unseal a seized motor? Can it be rebuild? I am just hoping that the engine block is not cracked. where should one look for a cracked engine block due to freezing. This is not for sure mind you, just a suggestion.

 

[Bondo]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

What should I start with doing?

Ayuh,..... Just a basic engine survey,....

Sparkplugs, Ignition, Fuel, Carb, Compression Test,......

How can I find out what is wrong with this boat?

Ayuh,...... That's Too Easy,.................

"and a 1975 3.0 4 cyl OMC motor and drive system."

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

What are the possible places the engine could crack if it became frozen....I don't mean that it was left in the lake over winter, but that water was in the engine when it was frozen...

 

[ziggy]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

but that water was in the engine when it was frozen...

yep, that'll crack a block

What are the possible places the engine could crack if it became frozen.

from a merc service manual regaurding 120-140-165 inline engines..... "cylinder blocks suffer horizontal cracks when water freezes in the block. these freeze cracks are caused by failure to driain the cylinder block and exhaust manifold for winter storage in anticipation of freezing weather. 4 & 6 cyl. blocks crack on the sides of the engine, just below the core plugs or along the upper edge below the cylinder head..... if freezing failure is indicated or water is found in the crankcse, remove the intake manifold to check these areas"..... i understand ya got a omc. but still thought perhaps it could be usefull info for ya.....

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

RUN and get your money back! Kidding hope it was a good deal like almost free. naaa! most everything can be fixed $. You can inspect the block all over in between the freeze plugs, see if any of the freeze plugs are popped out, Check the manifold too. But, If it's -7 and it's not in a heated garage or shop it's going to be a little tough to perform some tests. If there was water in the cyl. and now froze it wont turn over. whats on the dipstick when you pull it out? you could start by removing the outdrive too. Your going to want to pull a plug on that and see if theres moister/water in that and service the water pump anyway before you use it. ^^^ As said you could pull the plugs and put a socket on the harmonic balencer and gently try to turn the motor over. I got an ole 1970 So i feel for ya, but i like the older stuff better anyway. good luck keep us posted.

 

[Don S]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

What are the possible places the engine could crack if it became frozen

All you need is water in the block and/or the exhaust manifold. If the manifold cracks, it's scrap. IF the block cracks into the oil galleys, it's scrap.

After the engine warms up, and the ice melts in it, drain it. Isolate the block from the rest of the cooling system and pressure check the block. If it doesn't hold. and you can't see the crack, then it's probably cracked internally and is junk.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

Thanks for all your help...does anyone know where to buy a used or remanufactured engine block?

 

[Don S]

Re: I purchased the 1975 Starcraft with i/o. Now what?

Don't you think it might be a good idea to actually check it first? Before you look for another engine?