1981 Campion Refurbishing

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Got some more work done on the trailer, the hitch is welded on, axle fixed up and mounted and brakes wired in. We also are trying to get the bunks fixed, the last time we loaded the boat is was a pain trying to get it centered on the trailer so we added a 12" wide roller in the center - now we just need to get the bunks in the right place.

new hitch

Setting up the axle

Re-carpet the bunks on in background is the re finished one, also the same color of carpet to go inside the boat.

My Bro Jeff finishing up the brake wiring

Going to take a week off of working on the boat, need to get some stuff done around the house and have visitors here for the up coming week.

On the to do list is Carpet the boat, start it up and dial in the engine /controls, mount seats and re install stereo. We are going to worry about the upholstery at the end of the season so we can get the boat on the lake while he weather is still warm.

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Looked into the trailer a bit more looked like it was supposed to have the rollers that pivot on the trailer front and back - 4 rollers per side - previous owner(s) took off the front ones, welded the pivot point, and put on bunks. Bank ones where left and welded at the pivot point.

Going to cut front one so it pivots again - reposition bunks, and with the new center roller hopefully it loads nicer. If not we will have to re-evaluate the situation.

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

We got the "Horizontal Tower of Power" (as my brother and I have decided to term it) running yesterday. We had a sticky solenoid on the starter initially but that work it self out. We also had to adjust the timing due to installing an Ignitor System (Replaces the points in the distributor). Got the carburetor adjusted since we had torn it apart to rebuild it and got the engine to pur like a kitten.
http://s806.photobucket.com/albums/yy348/Aquaholic_GP/1981%20Campion/?action=view&current=Boatstartup.mp4

On the Monday we had gotten the bunks all figured out and also adjusted the trailer to bring the boat closer to the front - it ended in a bit more tong weight but the boat sits nicer on the front bunks and still pulls nice with the truck. You can see the previous locations due to paint colour differences

We also installed and relocated the Jack, we had one with a wheel sitting around so we replaced our original one.

Last night we started on the carpet install, and completed both the sides.

We plan to get the stereo installed, heater, then floor and seats and hopefully have it on the lake not this weekend but the next.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

three cheers bud


you are just about done

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Got a bunch done on the boat in the last couple weeks, pictures below;

Working on carpet install

Interior shot

Interior Shot

Interior Shot with lights

Interior Shot with lights

Check to see how it would cold start - everything went well - now just fine tuning on the lake once we can put in under a load.

Hope to get it on the water tomorrow or Saturday to see how she performs - finished all the work in under a year - a lot more time initially then though but we are happy with the outcome. This winter we will finish on some little details - engine cover, vinyl side and back panels, and build a swim platform off the back. We also have to plumb in our hot water shower.

Thanks again for everyone who gave advice - without this form this wouldn't been as easy!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Well I may be a little biased but those seats look great!

 

[75TowerOfPower]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

NIce work man, looks better than new.

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Thanks ezmobee, we really like the look of how everything turned out to. once we get all the vinyle work done it should look pretty slick!

Thanks 75TowerOfPower - it was alot of work, but yesterday and all the weekends boating to come will make it worth it!

Got the boat on the water and it worked great! Had to do a few minor adjustment to the carb but we got her purring like a kitten. We will also have to adjust the shifter - from going from forward to neutral it doesn't always want to come out of gear in the neutral position.

First test

trying out the tube behind the boat

coming in for a break

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

So worked on the boat again a bit tonight - found a kink in the pressure heater hose - removed that and tried the heater again, the stock engine pump just can't build the pressure to pump through the system, when we hook up air 5 psi goes through no problem. So we are going to install a inline pump to push the water to over come the head pressure in the system. We are thinking due to the 20 feet plus in length and about a 2 foot elevation climb the stock water pump just can't cut it. We are also going to have a hot water shower so a we can use the pressure for that application as well.

We adjusted the shift linkage a bit and it seemed to be better when we tried it just with the hose connected, weather permitting we hope to hit the water tomorrow so we will see if it performs better then.

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

So got the heater working, bought a pony pump to get the water to heater and now it works great - engine is only running at 140 deg. F though so we may change thermostat to get it to the 165 mark. We also bought the pony pump conversion kit (SKU: 5771241) as the pump is not designed for hot water application.

Princess Auto SKU: 8171118
http://www.princessauto.com/seasonal/pumps/electric/8171118-12v-marine-utility-pump

Took her out for probably the last run of the year, water was a bit cool at 10 Degrees Celsius!

Me and my Dad

Still need to work on the carburetor - need to up the idle a bit as it likes to stall everyone once and a while when you are just sitting in the water - but that is pretty minor. Also lost a bearing buddy on last trip, with the new axle the bearings seated in a bit more than we expect so it had a bit of play - but we caught it before anything major happened so that was good.

So have some ideas for the interior - will get to that this winter, right now me and my brother are trying to focus in on the house and get our deck done.

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Nice work man. Let me know what lakes you hit as I'm looking for some deeper launches.

 

[oops!]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

there is not much deep water where you are, wabminum, is ok,

we used to boat a t lac la none, by barrhead, is was great for fishing and fairly deep in the middle.

but is you want deep water, you have to come to the okanagan.

lots of people from edmonton and calg spend weekends out here

 

[Aquaholic_GP]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Musreau Lake is my favorite, is about 45 mins south of Grande Prairie. Its small but has great treed camp grounds and nice water

Sturgeon Lake isn't bad either but the water can get a bit gross in the end of summer late fall

 

[sprintst]

Re: 1981 Campion Refurbishing

Next summer is going to be a BC lake tour. I've got to get my camper top repaired and I'll be out there day and night

there is not much deep water where you are, wabminum, is ok,

we used to boat a t lac la none, by barrhead, is was great for fishing and fairly deep in the middle.

but is you want deep water, you have to come to the okanagan.

lots of people from edmonton and calg spend weekends out here