Search results

  1. J

    Alpha One Clicking in Forward, Stalls in Reverse

    ‘87 4.3/175 Alpha One Gen 1. Got the fueling issue solved and got it running, but that’s just brought up a new problem. Just got the drive back on after replacing bellows, impeller, new shift cable, new sealed gimbal bearing and greased u-joints. Put it into gear to make sure it was shifting...
  2. J

    1987 4.3/175 Crank/No Start

    Got the bellows replaced and the drive back on…aaand, now it won’t start 😤. Looks like it isn’t getting fuel. I’m assuming the mechanical pump should pump fuel whenever the motor’s turning? No sensors or anything? I pulled the fuel line at the carb and tried cranking it and nuthin’. Tries to...
  3. J

    4.3 Carb…What’s That Hose?

    1987 Mercruiser 4.3/175. Found this hose that came loose from the carb. Common sense says it goes to the elbow, but it is way too short. Can I splice in a small piece of hose? Happen to know what size that is?
  4. J

    4.3 Main Breaker Cover

    While messing with the trim sender wiring, it got me to wondering, is there a place to get a replacement cover for the main breaker? As you can see, I think ours is more electrical tape than plastic at this point.
  5. J

    Alpha No Trim Limit Switch Connectors

    Replacing bellows (Alpha 1 gen 1) so I was replacing the trim limit/sender. Sender is easy enough…I can trace the wires to the rings on the distribution block. Limit switch wire goes into a taped wiring harness and then into the big plug (circled in the picture). Are the connectors taped up in...
  6. J

    Alpha Gen 2 Trim Switch Retainer on a Gen 1

    I’m in the process of doing the bellows on our Alpha Gen 1. Figured I’d replace the trim switches while everything’s apart, but the top bolt on the retainer ring is a major PITA. Can the retainer ring from a Gen 2 with the single bolt work on a Gen 1?
  7. J

    Engine Cover Replacement Handle

    A while ago, I posted asking where I might be able to find a replacement handle for our engine cover. As you can see, the vinyl one had seen better days...the one on the other side had already broken. Went on A-zon and got a set of kayak carry handles. A lot more sturdy and the perfect size.
  8. J

    Name That Noise

    Any thoughts what this whirring kinda noise might be? 175hp 4.3 seems to run fine, temp and oil pressure fine. Just a constant whirring kind of noise.
  9. J

    Engine Cover Rehab

    Well she’s put away for the winter, but one of the things I want to work on in the spring is the engine cover. Top half flips up, bottom half is three sides so it can slide or flip out of the way. The wood on the top half has deteriorated enough that the hinge has gotten a bit sketchy so that’s...
  10. J

    Winterizing Question

    If you were to do a “standard” winterization, i.e. drain block and then pull the hoses and dump antifreeze in, could you then start the engine for a few seconds (w/o muffs) to circulate the antifreeze to any hidden spots or does filling the hoses work well enough?
  11. J

    Cut Holes for Improving Engine Access

    Just got the boat a few months ago so this is my first time winterizing and changing the oil. Like so many things, whoever designed this thing put no thought into maintenance. The engine cover flips up but the bottom half is carpeted plywood making it a giant PITA to get to the bottom of the...
  12. J

    Bedliner for a Keelguard Type Bow Protector (on Aluminum)?

    How well does bedliner work on aluminum? The dock up at the lake a few weeks ago had wood docks but a concrete wall and the docks were not sized for a 20’ boat….and I should have done a better job of tying her up. I’d like to get something to touch up where it got a little banged up and prevent...
  13. J

    1987 SS201 Specs?

    How big is the fuel tank on an ‘87 SS201? It’s getting close to that time to start thinking of getting her ready for winter. FIL/PO did a great job saving paperwork so I’ve got the manuals for the motor and the generic Starcraft manual, but nothing with specific details for the boat.
  14. J

    Reinforcing Wood Swim Deck/Ladder

    Has anyone reinforced their swim deck with some aluminum angle? I’m a big dude…just a bit over 300#. I’ve never been out of the boat once were on the water because I’m not sure about the ladder getting back in. As you can see, we’ve got the standard ladder and a Windland 3-step ladder. I can’t...
  15. J

    Removing an Attwood Hydro Stabilizer

    1987 Starcraft SS201 with the 4.3/175hp had an Attwood Hydro Stabilizer on it when we got it. I wanted to take it off to see how it ran without, but I could see one of the reasons it was on there….the original owner Swiss-cheesed the cavitation plate. I already searched and the consensus is...
  16. J

    Smart Tabs on an ‘87 SS201?

    I’ve been researching Smart Tabs as a possible replacement for the foil that was on the boat when we got it. I did a search for Smart Tabs in the Starcraft section and I think I may have found the answer my first question from some of the photos: 1) Will these mount on an aluminum boat the same...
  17. J

    4.3 Temperature Sensor

    Our temp gauge doesn’t budge when we’re out. I grounded the wire from the sensor and the gauge pegged so I’m guessing I have a bad sensor. Can’t find any cross reference to take to the local auto parts store for a new one. It’s just a 4.3 GM motor so surely it’s not Mercruiser specific. 1987...
  18. J

    Replace a Humminbird Transducer?

    Took our new (to us) boat out on the Ohio River today. Debris wasn’t bad, but apparently it was enough. Got back and our transducer was gone (along with our drain plug). It’s going to be for playing more than anything, so a Humminbird isn’t a necessity, but we’d probably take it fishing once in...
  19. J

    1987 SS201 Info

    We recently inherited our in-laws boat, '87 SS201, after they got something newer. I've gotta say, I was pretty disappointed with the lack of info I could find about it. I was hoping I could find a copy of the original brochure or something online, but no luck.
Top