Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

[popey]

Hello together

I have a question to my little boat I have bought end of last year and not run, since in Europe is wintertime.

Unfortunately I have very little information to this boat, it was built in 1979, has an inboard Mercruiser 165 inline 6 engine and that is more or less all I know. I have no manual to it, no indication of what the top speed is, or what fuel capacity it has and not even sure if unleaded fuel (95) is possible. On top it is fitted with a top which I don't happen to know up to what speed it lasts. Maybe it is just for picnic. What engines did the company fit into that boat apart from the IL 6? What max. horsepower is more or less allowed?

Does any of you have information, experience with this boat?? Although the engine is 30 years already do you suggest any technical 'update' if I may say so? Is anything particular with that engine I have to look at extra carefully?

Thank you so much for any information!

popey

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

Ayuh,... Hello popey,... Welcome Aboard....

Keeping what you have running is Better than trying to transplant something else into it....
Unless you're willing to replace the Complete Driveline, V-belt to Prop...

If you go down to the I/O, Motors forum, there's a thread titled Adults Only,...
In there you'll find the factory shop manual for your motor,+ outdrive,....
You need manual #1....

As for the Top,... Got a Picture,..??

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

I had an earlier model of the Starcraft 18' alum. open runabout. Don't know if it was an American or not. I had the 120 which in later production models was upgraded by Merc to 140 I4 which was sorely needed as the 120 was fine if you just wanted to fish, but to water ski with a boat full of folks, forget it. The 165 should be a real sweetheart in this boat and I wouldn't be surprised at 50 mph top speed. I had an 18 gallon fuel tank. I would imagine the larger engine and later model would dictate more on the order of 30 gallons.

This boat was in production a lot of years and used all over. Merc has been good at keeping up with things, so there is no doubt in my mind that your engine would do fine on any 87 octane fuel.

You need to understand something about fuel octane. Some years ago, maybe in the '70's when we had the fuel crisis and about the time unleaded gas became the norm (here anyway) refining companies changed the way they rated the octane of gasoline. Today's rating of (R+M)/2 may be a min of 87 (86 in the mountains) octane, but that 87 equates to the old Motor rating of 92-93. I can't remember the octane "regular" was, been so long I just forgot....but whatever it was is comparable to what you can get today at the "unleaded" lowest grade pump. You don't need to run premium gas in that engine. A friend of mine had a 165 in an 18' Sea Ray and his did 46 mph on "unleaded" and ran fine......his boat was glass and a lot heavier than the Starcraft alum. I based what I said about yours and 50 on what I knew about his. My son had a 165 in another boat and he ran without problems on "unleaded".

Mine only had tilt which was a bummer as, without a powerhead on top to counterbalance the outdrive, it was extremely awkward to try to maneuver by hand. The later models with trim just had to be super.

Enjoy a fine boat.

Mark

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

I had an earlier model of the Starcraft 18' alum. open runabout.......his boat was glass and a lot heavier than the Starcraft alum.

Hey Mark, the "American" is a glass boat.....

popey, do a search for member "Chinewalker" he's restored two of these hulls. His are outboard models though.

 

[popey]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

thanks all of you for the information.

I was just wondering, since the engine has been running for 30 years now, if there needs a 'technical update' such as electronic ignition or so. I am not sure, but believe tho have read such things.

What is the meaning of the experienced?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

if there needs a 'technical update' such as electronic ignition or so. I am not sure, but believe tho have read such things.

Ayuh,.... Search "Pertronics"... You'll find your answer there....
It's an electronic ignition system...
The Biggest benefit is you no longer need to service the Points,+ condenser...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

many folks like the pertronix. myself, i just left well enough alone (i still have points). it runs just fine the way it was designed in 1975. just follow your book and be sure everything is up to specification and you'll have a great running engine.

no indication of what the top speed is

top speed will be whatever it is. what is critical is that you operate your engine within in specified rpm range. likely between 3900-4300 rpm. trying to get close to the high end of 4300 with your normal load on board is what your looking for.

fuel capacity may be on a sticker on the fuel tank. maybe by the sender. or empty it and fill it up with a known amount.

most boats with 165hp L6 engines aren't particular speed demons. so most likely you will be able to run with the top up. but you'll have to try it out and see if it looks like the tops going to blow away or break, if so, either slow down or lower the top.

do be sure to get that service manual and read it. it will be your bible when servicing your engine and drive. there is a wealth of info in these books.. i think for a 1979 you should be using #3 and #4. once you download it. confirm proper manual by serial number. your engine s/n should be on a tag by the starter, your drive the serial number will be on the mercruiser sticker on the upper part of the drive. the service manual will have a pic too to help you locate where the number is too.

congratulations on your new to you boat too. hope winter breaks soon for you... and me...

 

[popey]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

many folks like the pertronix. myself, i just left well enough alone (i still have points). it runs just fine the way it was designed in 1975. just follow your book and be sure everything is up to specification and you'll have a great running engine. top speed will be whatever it is. what is critical is that you operate your engine within in specified rpm range. likely between 3900-4300 rpm. trying to get close to the high end of 4300 with your normal load on board is what your looking for.

fuel capacity may be on a sticker on the fuel tank. maybe by the sender. or empty it and fill it up with a known amount.

most boats with 165hp L6 engines aren't particular speed demons. so most likely you will be able to run with the top up. but you'll have to try it out and see if it looks like the tops going to blow away or break, if so, either slow down or lower the top.

do be sure to get that service manual and read it. it will be your bible when servicing your engine and drive. there is a wealth of info in these books.. i think for a 1979 you should be using #3 and #4. once you download it. confirm proper manual by serial number. your engine s/n should be on a tag by the starter, your drive the serial number will be on the mercruiser sticker on the upper part of the drive. the service manual will have a pic too to help you locate where the number is too.

congratulations on your new to you boat too. hope winter breaks soon for you... and me...

Hi Ziggy

thanks a lot for your information! Do you know where I can download the service manual??

Thanks again and have a good time! I really look forward to it, since I have never started my engine - but what I have heart, the sound must be great!

 

[popey]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

Ayuh,... Hello popey,... Welcome Aboard....

Keeping what you have running is Better than trying to transplant something else into it....
Unless you're willing to replace the Complete Driveline, V-belt to Prop...

If you go down to the I/O, Motors forum, there's a thread titled Adults Only,...
In there you'll find the factory shop manual for your motor,+ outdrive,....
You need manual #1....

As for the Top,... Got a Picture,..??

Hi Bond ...(James...)

Thanks for your replies! Unfortunately I have not a picture.

Best Regards,

popey

 

[ziggy]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

Do you know where I can download the service manual??

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430
this is the thread bondo was talking about. look at #9 for the manuals. there's also just a whole lot of great info in that thread so look around and see what you find..

 

[windsors03cobra]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

I have this boat in a 77, it is ugly burnt orange/brown and white.
The straight six too me is so nice to work on and while not fast it has good power and is a bit of a fuel miser if you go easy on'er. On a smooth lake I get close to 40 WOT, cruising at 25 around 3000 rpms is the spot I like to use.

I am not going to monkey with the pertronix and electronic ignition due to having to make some work around for the shift interupt system when my points work fine and great and my boat shifts good.
Been working fine for 30 some odd years, i give mine a few pumps of the throttle and it starts like fuel injection. I do think I am going to replace my 30 some odd year old fuel pump before this season, I may keeper aboard as a spare with the quality of some of these new parts.
My boat has the original gas can on the port side back by the transom, Mirax brand, made in St Loius and holds 16 gallons, says all that right on the side.
Gas hand still works.

My original bimini top is gone I fount part of it under the bow but only part of it and twas junk, I guess how fast you go with it up is your choise the wind may get hold of it and tear it up pretty easy if it is weather checked and ages 30 some yeats. Let common sense be your guide, you're the captain.


I saw one local one for sale with a cracked transom that was imaculate inside and blue and white with a Ford V8 and it went for $300

 

[popey]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

Hi windsors03 Cobra,

Thanks a lot for your thread - that was very helpful! Do you happen to have something like an owners manual??

Best Regards, popey

 

[popey]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

sorry, forgot to ast, the 40 at WOT, ist this seamiles 1.8 or landmiles 1.6 or even kilometers?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starcraft American 18 with Mercruiser 165 inline 6

sorry, forgot to ast, the 40 at WOT, ist this seamiles 1.8 or landmiles 1.6 or even kilometers?

Ayuh,... As in 40mph = 64.4km/hr....