TOPIC: 1963 Starcraft 14' Ranger Project

Skip,

I have been going by estimating on the distance. I will barrow a GPS and check it that way.

Thanks and I will let you know how it goes.

Well I got the old Tachometer working, and installed a new pitot tube. Then I switched the two wires around that are running down to the shift solenoids on the 1969 Johnson 55 hp.

Took the boat down to the harbor, put it in neutral and started the engine, the boat stayed in neutral and ran, (so far so good). Then I shifted it to reverse and back away from the dock, (even better). Next I shifted it to forward and it worked. (Insert Big Smile Here)

Went out for a cruise just to try and wipe the grin off my face. The tachometer worked, and the speedometer worked. Took out the GPS and check it against the GPS, and what do ya now they matched perfectly to each other. (Time for Happy Dance)

The motor goes 29 MPH at 2900 RPM at Wide Open. I am happy with that. It loves to cruise at 20 MPH and 2000 RPM. The boat handles the best and it just feels good at this speed.

As we were testing it out we were pasted by what I thing was a G3. It went by so fast I couldn't see much except the Giant black Mercury tower sitting on the back.

As we came back to the dock I had one plug cutting in and out at lower speeds. That has been what was causing the shake. I will get new plugs and try it again.

That was the best two hours I have spent in a boat scene I was a kid out with my Dad in our 69 Larson 18'.

Just happy, happy, happy.

Here's some video.

And here are some pics of the day.

Littlefin, looks like your getting it dialed in to where it needs to be.You may be able to wring a couple of more out of her by trimming. Glad your shifting problem is worked out. You might want to try a set of champion plugs on it. the ones I have found the best are # 5828 and these are stainless steel plugs. Set your gap at 30 and they should run fine. I have used these for yrs and am really pleased with them. You may have to get them off of the net as they are getting harder to find. Great vids and pics you got there. Looks like your finnaly having some fun with your boat. Skip.

Once again I find my-self thanking you Skip.

I will try out those plugs as soon as I find some.

I really am having fun with this.

Great to see your project is working out Littlefin, looking good out there enjoying the "payoff"!

I'm not that familiar with your motor, but 2900 RPM at WOT doesn't sound right to me. (Sure don't mean to "dampen" your happy dance!) Maybe one of the gang who really knows the Johnnyrudes can advise, but I've always been told you want WOT to be in the upper end of the "operating range" listed for your motor. Could be the tach isn't reading properly, have you checked to see if it has different settings?

I don't know if there are different settings. But I will look into it.

I just checked and WOT is 4500 RPM for this engine. You maybe on to something.

Thanks

Star-Date: Aug 02,2012.

I cut the width of this Bimini top down a foot to fit on the Starcraft.

Should I just leave the cloth this way, or have a foot taken out of it also?

I am no tachometer myself, but that video didn't sound like 2900.
Engine sounds good. I think you were likely closer to 4900.
Are there settings on the back of that tach?

What is your prop?
I have a 15P you could have, if yours is 13 spline through the prop exhaust.
Likely you have or need a 17P though.

littlefin, don't those tops catch alot of air? sure would be nice to be under one of those on a hot sunny day tho. frog

Jim,
I have a 17P and thanks for the offer. The tach is wrong for the engine but I haven't seen a way to adjust it yet. I have a friend that is going to take a look and see if he has the correct tach for the 69 Johnson 55 hp.( He's a hoarder not a collector ) It may take awhile to dig threw the barn full of crap. But he usually knows what is in there.

Frog,

Yes they do! But you can use them as a extra power source if the wind is blowing.LOL.

We have only been out long enough to use it once, but it sure was nice to get out of the sun.

Littlefin, Do you know what # is on your tach? I ran into the same problem that you are haveing with yours. It is next to impossible to find the correct tach for 68/69 jonnyrudes. The one that most people get is the wrong one even though it is advertised for that yr. It only reads about half the RPM. so when you are going flat out it may only read 2200/2400 rpm or there about. As far as I have found out these are suppossed to be the only 2 yrs that have a hard to find tach. Skip.

Skip, I didn't see any number on it, but I will take another look and let you know.

Okay. I found the little switch for 4-6-8 Cyl. on the back of the tach. (Didn't think to take it apart last time DUHH!)

It is a Leece-Neville AT-5001 tachometer (also know as Dixco). The switch is set for 6 Cyl. I have a 3 Cyl 1969 Johnson 55 hp. The tach reads 2000 rpm when the engine is going around 4000 rpm.

Anyone see the problem here yet? Logic would state that you should use the 6 Cyl setting for a three cylinder, BUT logic would be wrong.

Do I need a different tach, or does someone know a way around this little problem?

Lost in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, 25,000 rivers, 50,000 swamps, and one heck of a lot of wet feet.

Mine looks like this one. (Only a little bit better)

Littlefin, I don,t think that will work for you. I have a Airguide Model 1029-1039 Series 10 style tach that I was told by a evinrude mech was the right one for 68-69 rudes and johnsons. Well aftre I asked him why it only reads 200rpm wide open he said first off I didn't know how to read a tach and then that my tack was not wired right. I have finnally figured out that it will only work on 1976 and up 55 hp. engines. The idea that a 6cly should work on a 3 cly just dont work.I am chasing down another leed on a tach that is suposedto be the right one. If it pans out I will let you know. One thing I havefound out about this tach problem is that there are very few people out there that will talk about them, I guess they are ashamed of owning one. Have fun, i know I do at 30 mph and 1850 rpm. Skip.

Here is a list of years that my tach the 1029 is supposed to fit.
55E76-77, 55EL76-77, 50ES71-72,-73,-74,-75. I can't find any info on your tach at this time. Maybe someone out there may know which tack you need for your motor. Skip.

Thanks for the help Skip. I think I will just take it off, and patch the holes in the dash.

littlefin, how goes the battle? haven't seen any pic's of your boat for awhile, how did the top work out? a few years ago i had a 55 hp 3 cyl johnnie and it had a tach. i believe it was a 1972 eletric shift, but for the life of me i can not remember the model # of the tach. i got it from a omc dealer north of mcgregor, but my memory is is is is oh yah bad.lol. take care my friend and i'll call you the next time i'm at duluth, i have to get to harbor freight again. frog

Just had a computer crash. Had to start everything all over from scratch. Still getting it all back in place. Will post soon.

Thanks

Update:

Just went over to my nephew's place and had him replace the tongue end of the boat trailer. He did a perfect job as usual. But I forgot that we were going to lengthen it by about a foot. When I ran the electrical back through the frame it came out about 6" to short.

My boss Jerry had a good idea to get a short jumper harness so if the end gets messed up I can just switch it out. I like that idea, so now I can tell everyone that is how I had planned to do it from the start.

Here are the pics:

looks good little fin, great to hear from you. still planing on getting to duluth soon. l'll give you a call to see if your going to be home. frog

Beautiful weld job! My welding technique requires a lot of grinding after.

Love that custom paint job you did on the trailer.Did you order that paint special? How long did it take you to do it? Any special prep work? Well anyways it is good to see you are still in the living world. Getting much boating in up there lately? Keep up the good work and have fun, Skip.

You do that Frog!

Sabre;
I agree with the welding. But he is the foreman for a very large crew of welders. Other wise we all know I could do just about as go of a job myself. Or maybe NOT!

Skip;

I am under contract with a major paint company under-going testing of various types of paint, and the techniques use to apply them. It is all very classified as of right now. But as soon as I can legally let you all in on the secret, I will. But as for now keep using the Run & Gun Krylon technique.

NEVER LET THEM SEE YOU RUST!!!!


P.S. Send more gas money Mom!

Very cool project, good to see from start to splash. That way I know what I'm getting into! LOL

Your boat looks very similar to mine, except that I don't have the 'ribs' in the hull sides. Other than that, it's pretty much identical.

Thanks for sharing. I'll look at this when I need inspiration, especially the on the water videos!

JK

My Dad and I did a project on a similar Starcraft about 20 years ago. his idea was to make a cute little boat that reminded him of a classic mahogany runabout. We found the Starcraft hull in a scrap yard, and went at it. After some 20 years, a complete rebuild was in order, and I did the work by myself since my Dad has since passed away. I completed the project last spring, and we are still having a blast with the cute little thing!

still trying to post a pic

WoW that is one sharp looking boat you have there.Skip

Volero, That is so cool, you are inspiring me for another project. There are many "junkers" around that if taken the time and effort can become a crown jewel.
Thanks for sharing.
Cal

Sorry it took so long for me to reply guy's. Its small game, archery, and walleye fall bite season in Minnesota, so I will be gone a lot.

I love the little boats. Just something about the size that sits good with me. Volero that is one cool boat you have there.

Blue-gill. You won't need anymore inspiration. Once you start seeing everything come together, you start to work faster and longer so you can use it. Just don't get going to fast and get sloppy.

Oh yea. I bought a 12' Pull Behind camper to redo. Its a total gut out. The roof A/C someone added on, was to heavy and collapse the roof. A total P.O.S. but just the kind of challenge I like to take on. It will look real cool sitting next to the StarCraft.

To many projects, so little time until freeze up.

I just built a roof over the StarCraft and tarped it off for the winter. Snow load ya know.

Well I will be back on soon. But for now wish me luck. If you ever seen me shoot a bow you would know why I need the luck.

Here's some pics of the trailer:
1971? 12' Pathfinder Travel Trailer Camper

Even the Kitchen Sink.

Ever so slight redo of ceiling.

Cool project, looks a lot like the Beemer we had when I was growing up.

Bob

Littlefin, Where I am that would make a good "huntin' shak" Deer season is coming, bow season is here and guys just need a place to crash for the night and tip a few cold ones.

Volero, I'm still working on obtaining a project that I can wood up like yours. Maybe by this week.