Starcraft,OMC

[Gary H NC]

Just wanted some opinions from members.<br />I purchased a 19ft.1987 starcraft for 2500 bucks.<br />The boat looks great,interior looks very good,solid floor,everything works.<br />It has the 4.3 omc engine with a Cobra outdrive.<br />I replaced the cap,rotor,points,wires and spark plugs.It seems to run fine.<br />I have read alot about this engine and drive system being junk...Should i worry?<br />I did check and NAPA stocks all kinds of parts for this unit.<br />Also does anyone know what the WOT rpms should be? running a 21 pitch stainless prop..<br />Any comments would help..Thanks

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Welcome to iboats Gary H NC. <br /><br />You should have one of the mods move this to the I/O section. You will get a lot more responces. There is a lot of great help there.<br /><br />The motors are great midsize engines built by GM for OMC. You dont give drive model so its hard to say much about the drive. You should also post some model #'s with your post.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Welcome aboard Gary and as Reel Poor says, you will more answers to your engine questions in the I/O section.<br />I will leave this here, but will also move it there.<br />Again, welcome aboard.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Thanks Guys,<br />I will post the model #'s when i get home...out of town working right now.<br />Also i'm putting it in the water to do some major testing.I only tested her out for about 20 minutes the day i bought it,then took it home and winterized it.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

The Cobra drive is a solid drive. The problem is it's no longer being made so parts could become an issue eventually. It is possible to put on a volvo drive with a special kit if ever the drive becomes unservicable.<br /><br />Here's one area of "concern" with the drive and a way to fix the problem if ever it became an issue with yours:<br /><br /> http://www.hastings.org/~stuart/cobra/index.html

 

[rojoc]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

I too own a starcraft. It is a 1988 offshore fisherman, 22'. It is powered by a cobra 5.0. I've had much enjoyment from this boat and found it to be a solid well built boat. The outdrive requires maintaintence. Perhaps more than other drives, but has given me good service. Get the omc manuals. They are absolutely a must with cobra! (All available online). Good luck.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

That combination is far from junk. I wouldn't hesitate to buy it if it seemed to be taken care of. The price sounds good. It's probably worth more. The one complaint I recall was vibration. That's not a counterbalanced 4.3. Not everybody notices it and it's of no mechanical consequence. That was one of the first Cobras to roll out, so it doesn't have some drains that newer ones do. When winterizing, you have to loosen the drive just enough to crack the joint and let water out. One very common problem arises when those unfamiliar with them is that they tend to fill the gearcase to the fill vent just like on an outboard. That leaves the upper half of the drive without lube.<br /><br />There's a specific procedure to filling the drive to prevent air pockets from forming resulting in too little lube getting in. And heeeeere it is..........<br /><br />To drain...<br />Briefly loosen the top vent/dipstick plug to bleed off pressure, then re-snug.<br />Remove the drain plug, then the vent/dipstick plug.<br />Remove the vent screw on the side of the lower gearcase.<br />To fill...<br />Fill the lower gearcase from the drain hole to the vent hole on the side and install the drain plug.<br />Continue to fill thru the vent hole until it reaches the appropriate level in the upper gearcase.<br /><br />With good lighting, you can look down that hole on the top and see when the gearlube flows over the driveshaft. It'll be full a bit over that.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Thanks Everybody.<br />I did service the outdrive.I filled it just like WillyB said.I bought the Seloc manual for this engine and drive.<br />When i drained the outdrive it had green oil in it.It looked pretty good,no milky look,just a slight bit of tiny metal particles on the drain plug.<br />The seloc book said to use omc hi vis,which is no longer made.I did do some checking and was told to use CRC hi vis lube.It was more of a yellow color so it made me wonder what kind of oil the last owner used.<br />It did hold 64 ounces,just what the manual said.<br />Thanks again!! I keep learning more!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Gary,<br /><br />Re: the metal chips...<br /><br />Make sure that your idle speed does not exceed 700 RPM, with 650 being even better. What kills OMC drives is shifting in too high RPMs. That chews up the clutch dog, which will cost you between $800-$1200 to get your lower gearbox rebuilt.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Thanks KaGee,<br /> I will check that as soon as i get it in the water.I'm thinking it did idle around 600. <br />It was a cold windy day when i test drove it so i didn't spend much time in the water.I guess i'll know more next weekend after i drive it awhile...hopefully everything is ok.<br /><br />How is Toledo? Fishing weather yet?

 

[Lou C]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

I have a 1988 version, it has been pretty good overall, the main things with these are making sure the transom shift cable and the ESA system are adjusted properly. Also as Willy said, you have to make sure you re-fill it right. Most take about 2 qts of gear oil. Some parts such as the one piece exhaust manifolds, are hard to find now, but there are conversion kits out there to the 2 piece. Most other parts are available either from Bombardier or aftermarket sources. Once they are set up right it shifts well, as well as can be expected of a dog clutch drive.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Another question,<br />I noticed that the shift lever has about 4 to 5 inches of travel before the drive goes into gear.<br />It just seems like i have to push it forward too much.Should it go into gear before that?<br />I have been used to a Merc outboard.<br />Once it is in gear the throttle is very touchy..<br />Adjustment needed?<br />Thanks..

 

[Lou C]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

I have not run mine since late Sept, but that seems like a lot, then your throttle takes up too fast, right?<br />If I remember right mine engages about one to one and a half in of travel from the neutral position, FWD and REV. So I think you might want to get it to whatever is the best OMC shop in your area to see if the cables need adjustment.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Thanks Lou,<br />I thought that was too much.I looked in the Seloc manual and couldn't find the adjustment procedure.I will have to look for a shop in my area.

 

[KaGee]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Originally posted by Gary H NC.:<br /> Thanks KaGee,<br /> How is Toledo? Fishing weather yet?

Lady Mother Nature is teasing us... she lifted her skirt the last two days giving us a glimpse of temps in the 60s. But like any tease, she has turned her back on us with a 20 degree drop in the last hour. I resisted her flaunting to go start up the boat, but my senses came to me before it was too late.<br /><br />As for fishing, The die-hards are out, but the water is way too cold. The Walleye run should begin in earnest in the next two weeks.

 

[RedRangerVIP]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

<br />Welcome Gary! You will find that the guys around here are priceless when it comes to helping out!!<br />I just converted my VIP from a 2.3L Ford Cobra to the 4.3L GM Cobra. Haven't had it on the water yet(lakes still frozen around here). I know I will be asking more when I get it in the water too.<br /> The WOT for the 4.3L is 4200-4600 for the 2bbl carbs , and 4400-4800 for the 4bbl carbs.<br /> Again , welcome and have a ball with your new toy!!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Starcraft,OMC

Thanks Red Ranger,<br />Everyone has been great with all the info!<br />It's great to have all this help just a click away.<br />I have been working most of the winter on this boat.I have redone all the teak,painted the outdrive after i serviced it.I tried the PoliGlow on the fiberglass,That stuff worked great!!Looks like new gelcoat!<br />I replaced all of the ignition,wires,plug,ect.<br />Everything i have ordered from IBoats arrived on time and is very good quality.<br />I can't wait to hit the water and see how it does.<br />One thing i noticed,Someone has changed the engine serial number on the thermostat housing.<br />I looked in the Seloc manual that is supposed to tell you what year and horsepower for that serial number..well the book made no sense..<br />I will get the number next week and post it here to see if anyone can figure it out.<br />Thanks again everybody for all your help..