Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

[rockb]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Finally got some time to get back to the engine. Started running it with 50/50 Seafoam and gas. Running really rough still had to cycle the choke to keep it running. Probably ran about 1/2 a gallon through it like that.

Then I ran it at about 10% seafoam and 90% gas. It would stay running without cycling the choke but I still have to have the throttle at about 50% for it to stay running.

Then I got busy again and it sat for about a month and a half. got back after it today and was running it at about 10% seafoam and 90% gas. It would still run without cycling the choke but I still have to have the throttle at about 50% for it to stay running.

Went to 100% gas and it ran a little bit smoother and if I brought the throttle down to idle it would barely spudder and spurt for about 5-10 seconds then die.

I am thinking that maybe the linkage got a little out of whack when disconnecting and reconnecting with the engine removal/replacement. How to I tell if that is the only issue?

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Flcaptainbill? Not sure if you have pulled your carbs and cleaned them out yet, because it sounds like that?s what your problem is. I have a kicker motor on my boat and every spring I pull the carb off to clean it and blow compressed air through all the passages. The dang thing needs it because of the type of gas we get these days. I still use Stabil in the fall but some carbs just need a good cleaning. Most boat carbs have rubber gaskets and can be taken apart and reassembled without having to purchase a carb kit.

To answer your question if you are getting WOT (wide open throttle) try this.
With the key off (engine not running), put your control in the forward position in gear. Check the carbs and see if the butterfly valves are completely open. If they are not you should be able to adjust your control cable back at the motor.

That is a sweet motor you have there and well worth the time and effort to making it run. Have you posted or searched this forum http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=26
I am sure the guys that hang out there will be of help.

GLG

 

[rockb]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Flcaptainbill? Not sure if you have pulled your carbs and cleaned them out yet,

hoping I do not have to do that. The darn thing has 4 carbs on it. I have heard that if you pull them off they all have to be "tuned" to each other upon replacing them.

 

[fshngho]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Sorry FLCaptain but GLG is right. I have had a 65 & 140 Suzuki and your problem is very likely the carbs. The ethanol in gas now actually deteriorates rubber hoses and you end up with that residue in the carb bowls. You don't have to adjust anything on the carbs, just carefully remove them and clean out the bowls (and adjust floats if needed). Spray carb cleaner through all orifices and then blow out. It just takes a litlle time but really not hard. Most guys don't realize the harm ethanol does to OB motors but smart ones use additive to the gas and replace all rubber fuel lines/hoses every year.

 

[Crazyman1225]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

I have to agree with the guys about pulling the carbs and redoing them. It isn't as hard as you think. The gas we have to use is chit and really raises havoc with the motors. Doing your carbs nice and slow should only take you a few hours. The effort is worth the reward.

 

[rockb]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Decided to give the carbs a try today. Took off the first one and the main nozzle was clogged with hard black gunk. Two of the other three were as well. All I did was clean out the buildup with a small drill bit and now she runs just fine at idle.

Next main issue. If I throttle it up it will hop into gear. I guess I need to back off (or tighten up not sure which) the linkage.

Then it is on to the trailer suspension. When I pulled it out from the side of my uncles hours one of the leaf springs broke. I just cut the u-bolts and let the frame sit down on the axle (for some reason the axle was above the spring instead of the spring sitting down on the axle). Then I did the same thing on the other side making sure that the distance from the back of the trailer to the axle was the same. I then limped her home like that.

The springs are attached to a sort of sleeve that is then bolted to the trailer frame. Should I try to find another one of these sleeves, just drill and bolt the new hangers to the frame, or weld the hangers to the frame then spray with cold galvanize spray? Hopefully the trailer is not as rusty in between the frame and the sleeve as the bottom of the sleeve is.

Is there any benefit, other than lowering the trailer 2", to having the axle on top of the springs? Is that even safe?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

That trailer's a mess in all the wrong places......

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Glad the carbs turned out ok after cleaning. To answer your question most springs do sit under the axle. Those few inches helps load and unload on shallow ramps. The setup may be the safer way to do it but I am not sure.

You should be able to get a complete spring and hanger kit with the bracket that attaches to your trailer rails. On my trailer the spring hanger (bracket) is attached by u-bolts to the main rails. Don?t try to reuse any u-bolts as they wont come off in one piece. Best to cut them off. You might check the local spring and trailer shops in your area or ask around at the dock to see whom others get their parts or work done.

Your broken springs are not that big a deal if the rest of you trailer is in good shape.
These parts are common to rust and wear out. Fixing them is just part of the deal to boating in the salt chuck.

GLG

 

[ProMach]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

The trailer axle can be mounted either way. On top or bottom. All that matters is you have clearance for the tire and fender to not hit your new baby on bumps. From the looks of the rust in "all the wrong places" make sure the spindles are in good shape, as well as bearings and journals. From the looks in you pics, i bet the axle tube is rusted through. Keep us informed, and we can guide you through the process on your trailer.

 

[rockb]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Got new spring hangers, springs, and hardware. Wire brushed the axle and it didn't look too bad. I had a buddy down the street who rebuilds cars and such take a look at it and he said it looked ok to him so I sprayed it with some cold galvanize paint and mounted everything up.

Then came time to get out the bolts that had broken off in when removing the lower unit. I figured I'd give it a try with heat now that I had access to 360 deg around the bolts. Previously I just had one of those torches you put on the top of a propane bottle but have acquired one of the small Map gas kits like you get at Lowes or HD. That did the trick. About 30 minutes later and all the broken bolts were out.

Now the saga of trying to get replacement bolts. I didn't think I'd find them at the box stores but I figured I'd try anyway. At least I figured out the correct size M10 X 1.25. I then went to the small mom and pop hardware stores. No go on the bolt in stainless. Then I went to a chain store that sells nothing but fasteners, I figured that they would have it or be able to get it for less than a Suzuki place. Well I was right and wrong.

Went in on 1/13 I went in with one of the unbroken bolts and told the guy that I thought it was M10 X 1.25 but whatever it was I needed 8 of them. He measured them and said OK. He did not have them but could order them. Due to a snow storm in Atlanta he would have to get them shipped up from the supplier in Tampa but I should have them by Monday the 17th.

I hadn't heard from him by Thurs (they did have my cell number but had not called) the 19th so I called. They said yes they were there so I stopped by after work. The thread didn't look right when I picked them up but I didn't have the original with me so I went ahead and paid for them and took them home. NOPE wrong size. I took them back the next day with the original bolt. Employee said that the supplier had sent the wrong bolt. He would get the correct one ordered and it should be in by Friday 21 Jan. He took the wrong ones and said not to worry about the refund just keep the receipt and he's give me the right ones when they got there. He wrote on the receipt that was what we were doing.

I was supposed to leave to take the boys to TN to play in the snow on the 25th but got word from some friends we were going with that the weather was supposed to be nasty all the way up to TN on the 25th so we decided to leave the 24th. So I jump in the truck and run down to pick up my bolts. I get there and am told that they were not there yet but that my M10 C 1.5 bolts were on the truck. I said 1.5 they were supposed to be 1.25 and the guy behind the counter (the same guy I had been dealing with the whole time) got a deer in the headlights look and said something like "OOPS I guess they did not send the wrong bolt, I ordered the wrong bolt". Man I am ticked. I just walked out.

I then called on Friday 28 JAN when I was on the way back in to see if the correct ones had gotten in. I was told (different guy than I had been dealing with) that the correct bolts had actually been ordered the second time had arrived in the store (they had my cell, knew I was ticked and did not call) and he would go see where they were. He couldn't find them but said he would call the original guy and find out where they were. He calls me back and tells me that THEY HAD BEEN SOLD.

31 Jan I go back in the store and talk to the original guy. He apologizes and said that he figured he would never see me again after I left mad. I asked him why he sold my bolts. He said that they were not my bolts. I reminded him that I had paid for them and not received a refund. Another deer in the headlights look. "Man I'm sorry I forgot all about that." He said he would get the right ones ordered again.

Next day I get a call. There are none of those bolts in any of their 2500 stores, any of their warehouses, or any of their suppliers. I think I have been patient up to this point. I have never lost my temper or raised my voice with this guy. I'm done dealing with local stores if they do not have it in stock I'll just order it on line it's usually cheaper and I'll get it in the same amount of time.

I finally just ordered the bolts from a Suzuki place and got the engine together this week. Plan to splash her Sunday. Hope to have some pics and maybe even a video.

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

I feel your pain. I have had problems with large metric nuts in stainless steel. The last time the Honda dealer said it would have to come from Japan. I ended up fixing the threads up as best I could and used an impact to put it on. Up here in Canada we went metric 20 years ago. Our fastener suppliers are pretty good with having the correct size of common metric bolts. Hope the splash goes well. Looking forward to pics, video and performance comments.
GLG

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: Just Picked up a 198? Starcraft

Wow tht motor was almost to thr point of learning to swim wo the aid of a boat. Good luck worthwhile project.

 

[rockb]

She rides again

She rides again

Got her in the water. Fired right up and would go into reverse just fine but no forward. A couple of adjustments of the linkage and all was well. 39.3mph max via Garmin GPSMap 76.

Thought I had the camera on video but the switch must have gotten knocked to pic. I guess that will have to suffice for now.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: She rides again

Re: She rides again

Hey look! A boat in the water!!!! He lives in FL, that is how he is able to do that guys. Nice job Bill

 

[GLG fishing]

Re: She rides again

Re: She rides again

Just shy of 40mph I?m impressed. Great to here the splash went so well. Up here the wind has us sitting on the dock waiting for weather to clear. Fish are starting to show up but the wind is a tad strong at 30kt.

GLG

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: She rides again

Re: She rides again

GLG If my boat was near a dock I would never be home,esp when my oil well starts producing LOL Pugetsound.

 

[rockb]

Re: She rides again

Re: She rides again

Went by the welder on Friday and picked up my new console. Left it bare for now. New Tach should be here Monday. I'll pull it back off and take it back to them hand have them drill a hole for the tach unless I can find a hole saw for cheaper than paying them. Then I'll paint it.