TOPIC: New Power!

After continuing issues with the '59 Starflite, I decided to replace it. I located a nice, well maintained '77 Merc 850- Should make an excellent motor for the Citation-



Not quite vintage, but it's still got a nice vintage look to it.

After a bit of tinkering, changing plugs, and running new gas in it, she's running REALLY well now. Starts right up, pumps water, and idles beautifully-



It appears to have been VERY well maintained, I got it from a guy who's had it about 5 yrs, and got it from a relative that had it since new. It has been sitting in storage for about a year.

I'll be removing it from the boat that it came with tomorrow... along with the steering and electrical. Then that boat will be finding a new home Via Craigslist... It's an UGLY and pretty battered old trihull...

-Andrew

Nice looking motor.

Good luck.... I Had the same motor on a Chrysler Conqueror and it was excellent.

Looks great Andrew.
Should do very well for you.
Neil

Andrew,
The Merc looks great, should do very well on the Citation. Sorry to hear about the Starflite, mine is still running strong. What happened if you don't mind my asking?

Bob

Waterwings wrote:

Sorry to hear about the Starflite, mine is still running strong. What happened if you don't mind my asking?

When I was changing out the impeller and had the lower unit off, I forgot that the tilt lock wasn't functional, and with the higher center of gravity she took a dive forward on the stand... Messed up the recoil, and one of the mounting points on the block snapped off. I THINK it's repairable- I'm going to have to swap out one of the recoils on one of my parts motors- But I just don't have the patience for it at the moment...

I'm just glad I was well clear of it when it hit the floor- That motor is HEAVY!

-Andrew

Stage 1 complete- The motor and steering are off the boat-





I'm going to have to figure out the steering- They used a kind of odd arrangement on the boat that I took it off of, the steering cable was attached to the transom rather than the steering tube on the motor, and the helm was mounted upside down under the dash... It worked- But I think I'd rather do it the 'right' way

-Andrew

Andrew,
Glad you didn't junk the Starflite. I really like the Merc, she'll look great on there.

Bob

Transom anchored cable isn't uncommon. Some boatbuilders offered the style as a pre-rig not knowing what motor was to be mounted. Kinda universal, if you think about it. Allows using pretty much any outboard with simple attatching hardware. I've seen big V-6's with that system.

i've seen the transom mount setups too, but this one was a little odd... I think that a tilt tube will work better with the Glasspar, and be a cleaner installation.

Yeah, the starflite will be fixed- If only as a 'museum piece'...