86 Ranger 340V resto

[nophun]

I recently aquired this Ranger BB with 150gt Johnson and orig Ranger Trail.

Motor was rebuilt but melted a piston dome; needs new piston & head plus general re-gasket and replacement of normal maintanance parts. Fortunatly, cylinder is undamaged.

Trailer will get repaint to match new boat colors at the far end of the project.

The boat has rot under both seat mounts. I will have to take cap off to repair properly and am ready for stringer transom repairs if needed; I ain't scared. The hull is in great shape except for the known rot, but the gelcoat is worn down to where the metalflake is rough in some areas. I will be refinishing with paint rather than gelcoat since I am well versed with auto paint and cost will be more reasonable. I have found a source for metalflake to replicate the orig finish as close as possible, actually a bit finer and more sprayable but modern materials should give that Bass Boat Sparkle.

I am into this setup for $0 at this point, and am fine with the cost to restore an older boat bacause when I am through it will be as new, whereas buying used I could find the same problems down the road.

This will be my resto thread, pics will come if it ever stops raining in MO. I have to do some mechanical fixes on the deck boat and get it in the lake before I start the BB, so updates will be slow at 1st.

Any tips or suggestions are warmly welcomed; I'm glad I found these forums and have already spent hours reading this section in preperation.

 

[AfterTithes]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

Welcome aboard! I too am new to this forum and have recently started a Gemini Bass Boat rebuild. I'm shooting for a Flats boat look when I am completed. Look forward to watching your progress!

 

[nophun]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

Welcome aboard! I too am new to this forum and have recently started a Gemini Bass Boat rebuild. I'm shooting for a Flats boat look when I am completed. Look forward to watching your progress!

Thanks! I just saw your thread, it looks like we're doing similar projects. The PO of mine used it all last season and he added new G3 seats (they are local - Lebanon, MO)

 

[Cadwelder]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

Welcome to iboats Dry Dock

Well you've got a pretty good hull to work with there, you may even find some composite materials in there. I know Ranger started using some composites in the mid to late 80's, but there is still plenty of wood there to replace. Seperating the cap on a Ranger is no easy task but can be done.

The joint under the rub rail will either be glassed or bonded with epoxy, or maybe 5200. Whichever is used it'll be a chore to seperate it. Post some pictures when you're ready and we'll help with anything you run into.

I've done a couple of Rangers (both in the 90's era), but I'm sure we can get thru yours.

 

[nophun]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

Welcome to iboats Dry Dock

Well you've got a pretty good hull to work with there, you may even find some composite materials in there. I know Ranger started using some composites in the mid to late 80's, but there is still plenty of wood there to replace. Seperating the cap on a Ranger is no easy task but can be done.

The joint under the rub rail will either be glassed or bonded with epoxy, or maybe 5200. Whichever is used it'll be a chore to seperate it. Post some pictures when you're ready and we'll help with anything you run into.

I've done a couple of Rangers (both in the 90's era), but I'm sure we can get thru yours.

Thank you Cadwelder,

I had read that the Rangers were bonded together, I ~should~ have whatever tools it takes to seperate, but if not I will get them.

I'm really chomping at the bit to go on this, but I must be disciplined because I have to get the deck boat afloat 1st.

I will take some pics in the AM rain or shine!

 

[emoney]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

One could use an umbrella and get pics rain or snow........I'm just sayin'

 

[nophun]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

Some pics, yes it's in the barn



PO's seat fix


The boat


Some cracks



Rot

 

[nophun]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

I did a little poking around today.

The hole where the seat used to be is rotted well inside and the deck there is pretty soft, I assume I'll find the same under that 2-by in the rear. The front seat sits on a raised base, i seem to recall in most Ranger pics I've see there's just a socket level with the carpet.

The transom looks solid, no signs of rot around the motor mouning holes, I'm not going to worry about drilling until I get the cap off since it has to come off for the deck repair anyway.

I did find some cracks above the rub rail, looks like a minor dock impact, just something else to fix while I'm in there. I got a better look under the hull, a few chips in the gelcoat to address, and some heavy scratches from the roller being worn out up front; I've seen this in other threads too.

The cap is bonded on, I reached up inside where I could and found smooth where a seam should be.

I'm really itching to go on this, soon, soon.

 

[nophun]

Re: 86 Ranger 340V resto

Did a tiny bit of wok on it today;

Pulled the rubstrip off (screws) and found the cap is rivited as well. Pulled the seat up in search of what work had to be done to seperate the cap and found at least 10-15 gallons of mixed gas in the tank (VRO's capped off and oil tank MIA) Not sure of tank size, this model as a single full-width tank under seat rather than the duals that the bigger 300 series have.

There isn't any glue bonding the cap on, only single layer of glass anywhere and arm could reach in and lay it. Since they got it in there, I can get it out but I'm thinking it will have to be hand tool because I don't see where a grinder in-hand plus my fat head could get in many of these spots. I have some ideas I'll try when I get to that point.

I was able to simple pull one bond apart under the live well in back; there about an inch of foam under the well and about a quart of water seeped out of it. Still haven't drilled but the stringers and transom look to be fine still.

There are more chips and scratches on the hull than I first noticed, plus an area where the side bunk has worn the gel to where you can actually see the fiberglass through. I am re-assessing whether to paint or gelcoat. I think I would be wise to at least gelcoat the bottom since there are so many chips and scratches.

One thing that has me scratching my head is that the entire floor appears to be part of the cap, which would mean the wood is as well just like the upper deck; not the standard way things are done. Something here is going to be tricky on re-assembly, I think. I can already see where getting foam back under the live wells is going to be tricky unless I can find a spray-in system.