1986 Campion bowrider restoration

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Hi, thank you. Only one I made so far was when I ran the motor before I commited to the resto. http://youtu.be/ObV5_hrJWnY

I will make at least one more when I test the boat on the water for the first time! Cant wait!!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Haven't posted any progress in almost two weeks but have been on it everyday. Hooked up all cables to motor, new fuel lines and fuel fill hose. I have been doing a bit of everything jumping back and forth. Ran the motor today with muffs on and looked like the rear mounts were moving a lot. Took a video but was hard to keep still it was so bad. Checked the torque after and bolts were somewhat loose :facepalm:. I need to go over everything soon and double... triple check things. Anyways torqued them to 35 lbs/ft and was much much better. Hopefully will improve even more when the carb is adjusted and plugs changed, etc...
Warmed the motor up and ran it for at least 20 minutes, shifted into reverse and forward very well. Didn't rev it more than 2000rpm at any time. Cant wait to try it in the water, hopefully gets on plane easy and cruises nice.



Video of the shaking, hard to keep still but I tried. Running inboard with muffs - YouTube

Motor with all cables hooked up

Special lube 101 on the steering tube

old upper engine cover. Yuck, need a total rebuild on that one.

Lower one was easy to make, I have it glassed now but no carpet installed yet.

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Made some side shelves. After they are carpeted a long piece with carpet will attach to them a bit higher to make for some paddle/fishing rod and misc storage.

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Removed the stickers on both sides and sanded it down until I could not see the "shadow" anymore. After I used an electric polisher with dual foam pads and rubbing compound to bring out some of that old shine back.

Going to polish the rest tomorrow and start to install carpet on Sunday. Two weeks today I want to try this out in the lake!

 

[Hoosmatroos]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Nice progress. I could see the shaking Luckily some lose bolts.

You have some work to do with your engine cover but nothing fancy. Polishing went out great!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Did you re-check the O/D alignment after tightening the motor mount bolts? Hate to see ya loosin a coupler later in this up coming season.

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Did you re-check the O/D alignment after tightening the motor mount bolts? Hate to see ya loosin a coupler later in this up coming season.

I was thinking about it, it seems the motor sits at the same height on the back transom plate even if the back bolts weren't torqued. The bolts were snugged up just not torqued. I think after a torqued them it basically kept the motor from rocking back and forth higher up back there. If that makes sense. I want to check the alignment after the first good run on the lake so I was going to wait until then.

 

[Hoosmatroos]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Agree with FF, you should check the alignment before you go out. Much $$ to spent if you damage you coupler.

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Well long story short on this topic is that cylinders #3 and #4 plug wires were reversed since I changed the oil and so after I pondered for ever why it was so hard to start and why it ran like crap I switched them around and changed the plugs, wires, coil, points, condenser and rotor it ran and starts great.
Mercruiser 140 running on muffs - YouTube

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

So on with the carpet. I've been working on it the last few nights and today since I only have Sunday off this weekend.
I started with the bow section to get a feel for it since some mistakes up front would theoretically be hidden after the cushions were in. I used solvent based contact adhesive after researching what I thought would be best for the job. A gallon and a half later and over 20 square yards of carpet here's how it turned out...

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

The tape around the ski locker was for a "do not step here" area

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

For the not so flat areas I taped a line where I wanted the seam to be. I then cut along the tape and then pulled out the two scrap strips and bonded the edges down for flawless seams.

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

The bow section was by far the hardest. Some seams had three layers of carpet to cut through and a few seams were far from "flawless" but it worked out ok and I almost did it all without hurting myself. Almost.

Ouch!!!

I'm starting to repair and clean up cushions now and attaching them.

The main seats need the most work so it will be a few days before they are in.

 

[ampedzach]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Everything looks AWESOME man! Good job

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Got a lot of work done this last week and I was off Friday/Saturday so I've been able to put in almost 30 hours in the last six or so days.
Was able to do a lot of little things and so far so good. Unfortunately I can not test the boat out this weekend as I had hoped. Next Sunday is a possibility or else two weeks from now it is a MUST.

Here are my old speakers



My friend upgraded his last year and gave me his old ones. Huge improvement to my antique ones.



My factory tape deck!!



Got this at a pawn shop for $25.00



Got this last year at a garage sale for $20.00

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

New speakers installed and testing stereo



Had this massive hole to deal with



Used some 3/8" ply and rabbeted some egdes, wrapped in carpet for a quick solution. Need something a bit nicer later on

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

The seats were a bit of a mess. They were in pieces and very dirty but only a few small rips here and there so they will work for now.



Needed to make new base trims which were the only rotten pieces.



A few hours of messing around and I ended up with two of these!






Needed new wood for these panels that go between the consoles. The bottoms were mush.
Was pretty easy just took a while to remove endless staples



Our little girl approves!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Cleaned up some wiring



Attached blower hose and bildge pump



Stared to measure out the engine cover.



This is where it is at right now. This will be tomorrows project



Also replaced the belt and left the old one routed in there just in case. Thanks for the idea achris!

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

Got the black decals on all around the boat, mounted the swim ladder, transom eye bolts and kicker mount/motor. Filled all holes and coated screws/bolts with 4200.




My first fish finder ever












Lots of work left but I think I can see the end. Actually I'm starting to think it never ends?

 

[Jimmy H.]

Re: 1986 Campion bowrider restoration

I spent the first part of the morning changing the impeller in my 1992 Mercury 8hp kicker. I've had the motor for a few years and wasn't sure what shape it was in. Turned out it was fine but obviously since it was out and I bought a new one it was replaced. Oh well at least I know it's new now for sure.

I've installed the main lower part of my engine cover, took a bit of thinking how I was going to get the carpet on but I figured it out. I ran a bead of 5200 under the outline of the cover to prevent water from entering my fuel tank fitting area.






Next is the upper transom part of the cover which is also the back rests to the side seats. I took it apart to get some measurements and should be straight forward in making a new one with new foam and vinyl. No sewing involved in this one.

Backrest cushions removed.