1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Thanks for the long reply Glen. I will have to consult with you further when I get started. Thanks.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Thanks for the long reply Glen. I will have to consult with you further when I get started. Thanks.

No problem Marcus, anytime.
Glen

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Glen, you say to glue two sheets together. Are you indicating the transom wood is actually two 3/4 inch sheets glued together. Also, should a person use treated wood for this project?

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

NEVER!!!!! use Treated plywood in an Aluminum Boat!!! The chemicals will destroy the aluminum. Use either Marine Grade Plywood if you want to pay the price or most of the tin boat iBoaters use regular Ext. Grade plywood like the Arauco Plywood sold at Lowe's or Home depot as Glen mentioned. Glen has given you some great advice and I believe what Glen is saying is a typical transom is 1 1/2" thick. So typically you would glue two pieces of 3/4" Ply together to obtain that. Measure the thickness of the existing transom to see if that's what your have. If so then use Titebond III wood glue to glue it up. The Seal it with Epoxy or mutliple coats of Marine varnish and several coats of Oil based paint. She'll last for a Long time as long as you always predrill any holes and coat all bolts and screws with 3M 4200 sealant when installing things into the transom.

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Hey Marcus, what Wood says is right on, the transom is 1.5"thick, it may or may not have a piece of thin aluminum on the inside, I didn't notice in your photo. Either way"the wood will be 1.5 thick.
Glen

I just looked at the photo in your first post again and see there is piece of aluminum under the motor mount bolts on the inside of the transom, this is not from the factory and has been addedby some one at one time or another, it may be there to strengthen a week or rotted transom. When you pull your old one you will find the top corners are lust laying in there (don't ask me why) doesn't make any sense. Make your new transom all in one using these for a template, glue the two layers of ply together on a nice flat surface with lots oc clamps or weigh it down.
Glen

 

[ctriverfish]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Per many people's interest, here is what the bottom of my transom looks like, as well as the motor mounting and the rot area.

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Thank you ctriverfish. That's quite an illustrated drawing. I added some addtl pictures that you and everyone can look at as well.

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

I have a couple more questions regarding replacing the wood on my transom. Looks like we are going to be doing that within the next two weeks. Its much more rotten than I previously thought.

I have a 1979 70HP Johnson. I could use some advice on lifting this thing off. Otherwise I might have someone do it and store it for me while I replace the wood.

There appear to be three holes for 5/16ths bolts in the top of the flywheel. Do you need some fancy device to attach to this or can I improvise something to lift it from these points?

Also did any of you have any additional thoughts on what to finish the new transom wood with? Some people are saying Marine paint, others are saying varnish or polyurethane. Any thoughts on that? Anything I should NOT use??

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Get yourself one of these to lift the motor off. Hang it from the rafter in a garage.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4000-lb-capacity-cable-winch-puller-30329.html

Your motor should have a lifting ring on it. Just behind the flywheel on top of the motor.(circled in red)

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

I hung my motor in the garage just as Bonair indicated.

Best sealant for your transom is fiberglass with polyester or epoxy resin
2nd best (what most of us are doing) is epoxy resin alone (poly is no good without glass). Epoxy will most likely have to be ordered.
3rd marine spar varnish
4th porch & floor paint

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Has anyone removed linkages on this type of engine before? Difficult?

Also, after you lift the motor out, what have you all set it on while you work on the transom?

Also, overall, how long of a time did it take you to do this project when you did it yourself?

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

What linkage are you referring to?

Make yourself an engine stand or just leave it hanging from the "come along" that you lift the motor with.

Removing the transom shouldn't take more than an hour(less if all fasteners come out easily). Making a new transom can take as little as 30 minutes(if the old one is in good condition and can be traced on the new plywood).

Then you just have to wait for the glue to dry overnight at least.

I used spar varnish on my transom because that's what I used on my floor boards.

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

What linkage are you referring to?

Make yourself an engine stand or just leave it hanging from the "come along" that you lift the motor with.

Removing the transom shouldn't take more than an hour(less if all fasteners come out easily). Making a new transom can take as little as 30 minutes(if the old one is in good condition and can be traced on the new plywood).

Then you just have to wait for the glue to dry overnight at least.

I used spar varnish on my transom because that's what I used on my floor boards.

The linkage I am referring to is everything that goes from the engine to the main controls by the steering wheel. Everything seems to be attached with very small bolts if I am not mistaken. Just kind of wondering if there are going to be any surprises, like weird gaskets, springs, tensioners, etc.

Any discussion pages on this issue out there? Any links?

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

To remove the motor you should only have to disconnect the wiring harness(big red plug) at the motor.....and disconnect the steering cable at the motor.

Post pics of the bolts etc you are referring to.

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

The pictures below show both sides of the motor. One side shows the big red plug you may be referring to. The other one shows the connections of the what I believe is the throttle and cold start cables. Both of which i need to remove before getting the engine off.

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Yup...disconnect the red plug. The harness is held in place at the front of the motor. Just take the clamp off where the harness enters the motor in the front.

Unhook the controls. There is a rubber plug where the control cables enter the motor.

 

[marcusknight]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Once again here is a picture. The arrows on the right show where the cables are coming into the engine. The arrows on the left show the only place I see thus far to remove the cables.

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

Yup...remove the cables where they attach to the throttle arm etc. There is also a small clamp that holds both control cables. The clamp is halfway between the cable ends(where your red arrows point) and the rubber plug at the front of the motor.

 

[BonairII]

Re: 1979 StarCraft with a small area of transom rot

I just ran out into the barn and shot a quick video of my motor for you.
Hopefully this helps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_9Q6ZQBMRk