1986 Campion bowrider restoration

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

I have the deck done, Tabbed all the edges with CSM and 18oz woven roving. Csm on top of that. I've got the front seat area installed with PB for now, I need to glass that in later.

 

[rickryder]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

It's starting to come together now. It sure is nice to have a deck to walk on!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

It sure is nice to have a deck to walk on!

It sure is! There is one bad thing about the deck though... It's much easier to hit your head on the garage door motor! I've done it twice real good since the deck was on and the last time was a bit bloody :grumpy:

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

It's all down hill once the deck's in!

 

[thegoblin]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Looks good!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Got the rest of my parts for the Gimble rebuild including an impeller for the drive and engine alignment tool. Should keep me busy for the next week or so. I plan on painting the parts Saturday, gel coating the outer transom and bildge area Sunday, assembly the gimble housing throughout next week just in time for a three day weekend starting on March 15th when I should be re-installing the motor!!!!

 

[Hoosmatroos]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Nice goodies

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Got the three main pieces for the gimble housing primed and painted today atr work. Dont know if it's just Canada but Zinc Chromate is not around anymore here according to the guys at the local marine dealer and local hardware stores so that was out. I used self etching primer for aluminum and an epoxy gloss black paint recommened at the marine shop with extra hardener. I only used a 50/50 mix of water/vinegar for wiping down the parts before priming. I'm not looking for any negative feedback on what I did or didn't do. Seems everyone has there own opinion on painting this kind of thing, I'm happy with the prep work I did and cant see anything peeling off anytime soon and even if I have to touch it up every season a bit I'm ok with that.

Pics are from my phone so not as good as the home camera

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Was able to install the last two pieces of the front bow today, also I applied three layers of gel coat to the bildge area with white gelcoat. Four thin layers on the back transom area where I had ground down the old gelcoat. I used styrene wax for the final coat on each. I tinted the rear gel coat a light brown to match the sides of the boat. It's going to take a lot of sanding back there this week!

I used left over gel coat from the bildge coats to coat the inside of the bow storage areas.

This week - sand gelcoat and assemble Gimble housing, Friday run motor and change oil & then install back in boat :happy:

 

[jbcurt00]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Nice work

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Got the first seal and gimble bearing in just now. Had the bearing in the freezer all day and used the shop press for the job. Slid in nice and easy!

Made a dot where the grease port was just in case and it lined up perfect!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

So all week I've been doing a bit of sanding on the rear gel coat, checking if I have all parts for the Gimble housing, preparing to install the motor, etc...

Trim senders were garbage

Got new aftermarket ones. OEM were $170 I get 15% off either so these were about $90

just dry fit these bellows to test

Needed a new hinge pin and managed to get the cotter pin through in about 30 minutes.

Installed the old studs with locktite

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Installed the Gimble ring last night and then mounted it to the transom this morning with a new transom seal of course. So far I've only sanded the gel coat near the keyhole area.

I pulled the motor out of the garage, started it up and then drained the oil and changed the filter. Figured it would be easier to drain it now while it's still out.

Borrowed the hoist from work.

Beefed up the cradle a bit so I could pull it sideways and stick the bow out of the garage

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Now the fun begins! :joyous:

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Last on the list today was to get the boat back on the trailer. The cradle was very low so I had a plan...

As it got closer I cut off sections of the cradle.

I used the engine hoist to relieve some of the weight at the back while I cranked the winch.

Case closed!

Even more room than I thought in the garage with it on the trailer. I will definitely need a ladder or something to get in and out.

My neighbor asked me today if it's ready for the lake now?... I had to say not even close!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Well three days off and I managed to spend over 25 hours on the boat!
Yesterday I checked the engine alignment and eventually got it so the splines on the tool match all the way around and could be pushed in and pulled out with a couple of fingers.

Today, I installed the trim pump manifold on the bottom of the gimble housing with a new seal, installed the water pipe with hose and new rubber grommet, shift cable attached and all three bellows installed. No special tools required, though I'm sure it would have been quicker.

First for the shifter cable you basically need a long socket and I've hear of guys welding two together but since I have no welder at home I ground the end of the first socket to allow another larger socket to fit over it and it worked perfect.

See, even a long socket is too short to get the ratchet on.

used the grinder for a few minutes occasionally dumping the socket in cold water to cool it down

This is the special tool!

Worked good.

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

The bellows took a bit longer but I managed to pull it off without the expander tool.

For the exhaust bellows to connect to the bell housing I saw a video on you tube about using paint sticks to stretch out the bellows and it worked like a charm

one on each side

Then it is this close with the housing all the way up.

When I let it down it slid right in. I used OEM bellows adhesive and managed to secure all the grounding clips and clamps.

Yes the gel coat still needs sanding :facepalm:

Time for a break!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

So Monday I split the drive apart and inspected everything. It all looked good including the impeller but I had bought the water pump kit so I replaced it all to be safe. I re-assembled he drive and pressure tested it using the drain plug fitting ffrom the filling device and the same pump attached I used for the fuel tank.

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Tuesday I assembled the drive by myself which was a bit tricky. I had to rotate the splines slightly and then it just slid right in. New seals and o-rings for that. I bought special spline grease from the dealer for the coupler and drive splines. Tonight I set up the shift cables, throttle cables and steering cables per the manual and the drive locks into forward and reverse great. At this point I can actually see this thing working when I get it in the water!

I have a test battery for the trim to make sure that works ok and then start it on muffs to test the idle, throttle and shifting. Then I can make a battery box, storage, mount the trim pump & wiring, build a new engine cover, rear seating, finish front bow section seating, carpet, main seats, fish finder, fuel, (a dozen other things) and last but not least I'll need a big lake to test it out!!!

 

[ampedzach]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Looking very good! Did you do any videos?