Starflite IV year and locating parts

[HighboostN]

Hi, I am new to posting at the forum here and I just acquired an Evinrude Starflite IV 75 hp that has been sitting for some amount of years and I am trying to identify the year. The tag on the engine states

Model: DV-12ME
Serial: J0012757

The engine did not come with a lower unit and I don't know where to find one or if I could possibly purchase one. Also, the spark plugs that came out of it are Champion J6C. I did a search on here and it said to use the Champion J4C so are the plugs that came out of it incorrect or useable?

 

[TN-25]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

A Starlite IV is a 1962 Starflite, the 1st year of the hydro-electric shift. It could be either a Selectric (hydro-electric shift) or a manual shift (with a shift lever on the starboard side.)

 

[HighboostN]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

how can i tell which one it is?

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

The Starflite was an electric shift, not hydro-electric shift. Hydro-electric shifts were only from 1968 to 1972.

Electric shift V4's back then used a belt driven distributor on the motor, the plug wires came off the top of the distributor.

Manual shift V-4's used a belt driven magneto whose plug wires came out of the bottom of the unit.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

how can i tell which one it is?

It either has a gear shift lever on the starboard side or it doesn't. Notice mine has a red gear shift cable on the starboard side.
I don't recognize the model number, it should be five numbers followed by a letter unless it's a Johnson powerhead. Most parts can be purchased at your local Johnson Evinrude dealer. Those that are no longer available can be sourced through specialty dealers, online sales and private individuals that have parts motors. No buying or selling is permitted on iBoats discussion forums though.

 

[HighboostN]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

Now this is where I am confused, the cover of the motor says Starflite IV 75hp but that tag you took a pic of with the model number, there is that same tag but it says 90hp at 4500 rpm and on a different part of the unit (not the engine) it says 75hp at 4500rpm Ill check that tag and see what the model number is on there but I dont think its a 75hp engine. Any ideas?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

Check for a small round plug on the engine block. There may be one that has the model number on it.

 

[seahorse5]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

Now this is where I am confused, the cover of the motor says Starflite IV 75hp but that tag you took a pic of with the model number, there is that same tag but it says 90hp at 4500 rpm and on a different part of the unit (not the engine) it says 75hp at 4500rpm Ill check that tag and see what the model number is on there but I dont think its a 75hp engine. Any ideas?

A 75 hp has a 2 bbl. carburetor with the intakes facing straight up. A 90hp of 1964-65 or a 100hp of 1966-68 has a 4bbl. carb with the intake openings facing forward.

 

[HighboostN]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

any idea how much i am going to be spending on a lower unit?i got what i have for free but i think it needs a tuneup and the carbs rebuilt

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

The lower units are interchangeable between many models of that era. You need to first verify what powerhead you have since the popular V-4 was available in many hp engines. As was said, look for the small round plug (welch plug) on the top of the port side cylinders as shown below. The serial number of the engine should be stamped on it. This one matches the serial on the transom bracket tag for my 75hp. The transom bracket on yours could have been changed at some point. Again the big difference are the carburetors. The 75hp carb is mounted on top of the intake manifold and air enters the top of the two barrels. The 90hp four barrel covers the front of the engine. It almost looks like a automotive valve cover.
Does the colour of the engine block match the case? That might be a hint that something has been changed.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

any idea how much i am going to be spending on a lower unit?i got what i have for free but i think it needs a tuneup and the carbs rebuilt

The spark plugs are fine, the J4C has been superceded. If you don't know the history of the engine then you will likely want to give a thorough check. The FAQs have important information on awakening a sleeping outboard. First things first though. Check the compression to make sure it's even between the cylinders. If it has one low one, it will likely have some internal damage to be repaired before going on to a lower end and carb rebuilding etc. If it has an electric starter you can connect a battery to the stud and ground to spin the motor.
You might be able to find a parts motor online for very little.

 

[HighboostN]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

it has a 2 barrel carb on it for sure, is their an average compression I should be seeing, would it be ok to bypass the starter solenoid just to crank the engine?

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

it has a 2 barrel carb on it for sure, is their an average compression I should be seeing, would it be ok to bypass the starter solenoid just to crank the engine?

Compression on all cylinders should be within 10% of one another.
It's OK to jump past the solenoid. No electronics to fry in 1962.

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

it has a 2 barrel carb on it for sure, is their an average compression I should be seeing?

It's a 75 hp engine, not a 90hp. 90's were only made in 1964-1965.
Even compression is more important than high compression. Mine are high 80s-low 90s and run good.

 

[HighboostN]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

ok, i am going to be checking the compression today but I am still having trouble finding a lower unit for this engine, if there are any other lower units that would fit ? or only the same year evinrude lower unit? any help greatly appreciated thanks

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

The lower unit is interchangeable for a number of years as far as I know. Whether it's a Johnson or Evinrude, it doesn't matter. I don't think we've identified your model year yet. I didn't recognize the numbers you quoted. Did you check the number on the engine welch plug? At the very least post a photo or two of your motor since we're suggesting on assumptions right now. We can't tell you what will fit when we don't know for sure what you have.

 

[HighboostN]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

here is a picture of the motor

here is the first plate that reads
Model: DV-12ME
Serial: J0012757

here is a second plate thats on the mount

Location of the plates

 

[Evinrude Boater]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

50930 is a 1962 75 hp as the hood indicates. That plate on the flywheel guard is the one that perplexes me. Looks like you could use an engine stand.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

50930 75 Hp 1962

 

[HighboostN]

Re: Starflite IV year and locating parts

ive been looking at building a stand and thats a good design i will borrow if you dont mind, so its a 1962 so any idead what lower units will work?