1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

[axlr8]

Okay guys, new here. I recently acquired a 82 Starcraft. Unsure of the length or model. It's a deep v aluminum hull, has a walk through windshield, and it's i/o. I'm looking to make this a heavy duty river/lake fishing rig. It needs flooring and a transom while I'm in there. I need some pointers on what to do to get that motor and drive separated and out of the hull. I totally demolished the interior so far as it was rotten and degrading. I am thankful for any tips or tricks to remove these parts. I have ideas for the interior and all, but I want to build a new transom first off. Thank you in advance!

P.s. The motor runs off of fuel in the carb. It needs a carb rebuild and some gaskets. Otherwise it is solid. I come from many years if snowmobile building and customization and this helps me a bit. Thanks again!

 

[dozerII]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Okay guys, new here. I recently acquired a 82 Starcraft. Unsure of the length or model. It's a deep v aluminum hull, has a walk through windshield, and it's i/o. I'm looking to make this a heavy duty river/lake fishing rig. It needs flooring and a transom while I'm in there. I need some pointers on what to do to get that motor and drive separated and out of the hull. I totally demolished the interior so far as it was rotten and degrading. I am thankful for any tips or tricks to remove these parts. I have ideas for the interior and all, but I want to build a new transom first off. Thank you in advance!

P.s. The motor runs off of fuel in the carb. It needs a carb rebuild and some gaskets. Otherwise it is solid. I come from many years if snowmobile building and customization and this helps me a bit. Thanks again!

:welcome: axlr8, post up some pictures of you boat and we can tell you exactly what it is. By your description it sounds like an SS 180. The motor and drive come out pretty easy. Make sure to put the shifter all the way into forward then take off the TNT rams and the 6 nuts that hold the out drive on and it should pull straight out. The motor comes out just about as easy, undo the shift and throttle cables, the large black plug on the engine wiring harness. + and - battery cables, the 3/4" water hose coming from the transom to the top front of the engine, the wires from the trim limit and trim senders that come through the transom, the clamps on the rubber exhaust tube at the rear of the manifold, and two lag bolts on the front motor mounts and the two bolts on the rear mounts, then lift it out.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Hey, another Starcraft guy, cool!

Glen has you all set getting that engine out, perfect cliff notes version:thumb:

Problem though, yah, we can't see your boat. Set up a photobucket account and post up what ya got so we can check it out:joyous:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Welcome to the iboats dry dock, tin division.

If Dozer & Jas can't get ya situated, I will have little to offer. They'll be invaluable assets.

Be sure to check out the Starcraft Rebuilds in Jas signature line, tons of good info in the threads listed there too..........

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

I believe you guys are right on the model ss180 sounds good! I'll try to post some pictures up for you guys! It's pretty stripped down now and all, but it will turn out good! I wonder what I am going to use to pull out the motor? That's a tall lift?

P.s. What is required to pull the out drive? I know the tilt and trim needs to be removed, but what but what beyond there???

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

I believe you guys are right on the model ss180 sounds good! I'll try to post some pictures up for you guys! It's pretty stripped down now and all, but it will turn out good! I wonder what I am going to use to pull out the motor? That's a tall lift?

P.s. What is required to pull the out drive? I know the tilt and trim needs to be removed, but what but what beyond there???

Ayuh,.... post #2, Dozer explained,...

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

EDIT: Or yep: What Bondo said ^^^

Not sure why his post an hour ago didn't show up until after I posted the same info:

P.s. What is required to pull the out drive? I know the tilt and trim needs to be removed, but what but what beyond there???

I think Dozer covered that already:

:welcome: axlr8, post up some pictures of you boat and we can tell you exactly what it is. By your description it sounds like an SS 180. The motor and drive come out pretty easy. Make sure to put the shifter all the way into forward then take off the TNT rams and the 6 nuts that hold the out drive on and it should pull straight out. The motor comes out just about as easy, undo the shift and throttle cables, the large black plug on the engine wiring harness. + and - battery cables, the 3/4" water hose coming from the transom to the top front of the engine, the wires from the trim limit and trim senders that come through the transom, the clamps on the rubber exhaust tube at the rear of the manifold, and two lag bolts on the front motor mounts and the two bolts on the rear mounts, then lift it out.

 

[Weep'n Willy]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Welcome and congrats on your tin. It certainly will give you many hours of entertainment during tear down and rebuild. As far as getting the engine out, if you can get access to a cherry picker they work wonders. Mine has been been more than adequate to remove the engines from my Chieftain and a donor boat.


So easy, even my grandson can do it.



Also worthwhile when pulling the old transom out.



Good luck with your project and looking forward to the pics and progress reports.

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Welcome to the Starmada! Just start in taking things apart, label, put parts in cans and lots of pics to help with putting her back together. Oh yeah if you don't have one yet, get a manual for you motor before ripping into it too far.

Pics please.

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Im sorry about missing the post with the instructions! kinda a duh moment..

Anyhow i will be pulling the outdrive today and hope to have some pictures for you guys. Its really stripped down (interior wise) and I hope to have her up and running (not really pretty, but functional) by next spring.

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Update: engine out, out drive removed, interior is down to just bits and pieces. Now for some more questions.

1.) how do I remove the aluminum sheeting that covers the rear end of the boat? I need to remove the transom

2.) how and where do I get a good set of gaskets and seals, and pieces for the boat?

3.) how does one upload pictures??

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Update: engine out, out drive removed, interior is down to just bits and pieces. Now for some more questions.

1.) how do I remove the aluminum sheeting that covers the rear end of the boat? I need to remove the transom

Wait. WHAT?

2.) how and where do I get a good set of gaskets and seals, and pieces for the boat?

3.) how does one upload pictures??

Iboats carries parts & pieces to service your outdrive & motor.... As many other vendors online. Depends on where you are. On the Great Lakes, you might walk into any marine service dealer and find a good price on driveline parts. Here in WV, most of my motor shopping is online

Get a free photobucket.com acct. Use it to host your pix & post them here. Here's a thread RE: posting pix:
PHOTO Posting Instructions

 

[Watermann]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

The transom cover is a fickle thing on Starcrafts. Take off all the trim and remove every screw or rivet. Then comes the fun part to get the wood transom out. Some bend the aluminum gunnel piece up just enough to drag the transom out. Others like me, use a saw to cut a piece of the gunnel out since it will be covered by the end caps anyway.

The Mercruiser transom seal kit comes with everything you need from bellows to a gimbal bearing.

Yah the picture thing isn't too tough to figure out, just about everybody new here goes through the same thing you are.

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

nope...

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

well here is the link to my photobucket... And here is the part of my other hobby.. Sleds.. Im making this particular 95 into a 144" 1007 triple with a belt drive, custom seat, and a set of modified front A Arms.. It will be a great back country sled. I debated a 153" track... and I got this sled for 150 dollars as it sits.

P.S. my description on the boat got erased.. Give me a few days and you will all be up to date on what she needs and what I found.

Thanks for the help thus far!

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

well here is the link to my photobucket...

hmm, no link...... looking forward to seeing the pix when you get 'em posted.

Does this help at all:

PHOTO Posting Instructions

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Prior To Build. 800 Triple Clutched And Piped. Video by NichNeitzke | Photobucket now??

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

Here is what i figured.. I pulled the outdrive and found:
1)snapped shift cable:/
2) the steel? cage around the U joint has been damaged due to what i believe was a U joint explosion
3) the stabilizer fin?? has been broken and repaired with JB weld..
4) 2 props, one maybe salvageable

here is what I found after I yanked the motor.
1) there is a set screw on the right side of the block (looking from the front of the boat backwards) right below the drain petcock. that needs the threads chased and this plug was BARELY in the block.
2) I drained the block(of water), no signs of anything bad!
3) I pulled the fuel pump and it was FULL of sediment.. I am just going to replace it and call it good!!!
4) Somebody has messed with the carb before and messed up one of the shafts in the lower cast iron portion. (May need some help here guys..)
5) the thing will need exhaust rubber boot, carb kit, plug wires and a rotor cap..
6) the water jacket for the pump is rusty, but not TOO bad.


First thing Is first, I need to get a new transom installed. (can I use durafix to fix some un-needed holes in the hull? all less than 1/8 inch DIA) from there, I plan to gut it COMPLETELY... then I plan to get the interior sort of mocked up (I will set it up in fashion to cater to fishing better than to hauling people, IE front casting deck, less seats in the way..) with new marine plywood, and new foam in the floor, from there I will re install the motor and all the new parts I will be piecing into it.
Lastly, Ill put on the outdrive and make the boat look pretty.. Paint is no big deal to me at the moment, but in times to come, Itll be redone. The interior will be coated with bedliner to make it simple to clean and easy to keep dry. (carpet sucks)
The biggest worry I have is getting the floor solid, and getting the motor back to where It will need to be.

I will attach some pics and from what you guys see, I would like some input!

P.S. where should I look to remove the transom cover rivets??

 

[axlr8]

Re: 1982 Starcraft w/ I/O 120 mercruiser

I gather that it is a 1982 SS180 with a 120 Mercruiser powerplant.

My other family rigs are:
99 Lund 17.5 with a 09 75 horse 4 stroke yamaha
1946 Alumacraft 14fter that is powered by the 15 horse johnson in the pictures (1985-6)
74? alumacraft canoe 18fter?
Alumacraft "Ducker" duck boat
We also have a old 3 horse Johnson in the garage too.

I had a '53 Firestone 7.5 horse outboard that I junked because i could not get the danged thing to spark. I worked two months straight on that thing...