Bringing Classic Boats Back To Life.
1959 Biesemeyer Wrangler - 4 Point Hydro
One of only five known to exist of a true classic with great lines.
2013 ACBS-CBC
Best Race Boat
(Race Boat Class beacuse it's a 4pt Hydro Drag Boat)
Check out the whole restore with a movie below.
The plan is, new everything.
This super rare classic was found in the weeds of a small Pennsylvania town.
No motor and the rest is in very sad shape but for the most part everything that was needed for it to be a restore candidate was there. It has the original cable steering, rudder, prop, prop shaft, struts and V drive but that's about it. With a little on-line help from friends we have found out what was missing and have already located replacements.
We would have loved to have gone with a period motor for it but to be honest most were under powered for this design. Sure we could have built a period Big Block Ford Flat Head for it that according to Bill Biesemeyer was use to break the Long Beach Nationals speed record in 1962 at a 121mph but that would have drove the restore costs way over the top.
So this is what we came up with so far.
We are going to take it retro-mod. Like a classic car with a newer drive train.
We are just starting to get the final pieces in place to make it happen. Updates and changes to the master plan will follow as we get deeper into this awesome project.
Last update, June 26, 2012
- double click the movie to go full screen -
Motor / Transmission
Completely stripped down to the last bolt
Cleaned, Checked, Punched, Honed, Rechecked, Polished, Painted and Rebuilt With;
91-up...4-bolt, Gen.V (std deck block) 7.4 - 454 Big Block #10114182
12562932 91-95 oval OPEN Gen.V, truck crate motor, 118cc chambers
Dip it and hone the decks and cylinders (cut .30 over)
Block was detailed with all casting debris removed
Stock seasoned crank (also cleaned up)
Reconditioned connecting rods
Flat Top Speed pro pistons and pins ZH661CP30
Molly piston rings
Federal Mogal bearings (cam, main & rod)
Cloyes true double roller timing chain
Jegs #555-200123 Cam 296°/306° - .540"/.540" lift, 114 l/s
Pro Comp 1.7 roller rockers PC2330
Comp 7941-8 / 7931-8, 3/8 Pushrods
Hardened 3/8 pushrod guides
Melling H/V oil pump
Melling HV oil pump shaft
EDELBROCK AIRGAP INTAKE
ACCEL 140001, Ignition Coil, Super Coil, 45,000V
1103337 HEI Distributer - Accel Cap With External Coil
Brass freeze plugs
Edelbrock 750 carburetor #1410
Nicson 4" aluminum exhaust
Accel 8mm wires
Chrome Single Wire Alternator
Mini Gear Reduction Starter
Gaskets;
Fel-Pro Performance Marine Head Gaskets - 17040
Felpro Intake Manifold Gasket Set / Part - # MS 90005
Felpro Valve Cover Gasket Set / Part # - VS 30055 R
Fresh Rebuilt Borg/Wanner 1 to 1 Transmission
New Heavy-Duty Fluid Cooling Lines
Oversize Oil Cooler
Hull
Dash Gauges, Ignition, Switches
Fuse Panel
Interior Lights
Running Lights
Wiring Harness
Steering Wheel
Steering System Rebuilt
Gas Caps
Grab Handel's
(2) Fuel Tanks with Sending Units
(fuel gauge shows level of both tanks by a switch on the dash)
All New Water Hoses and Fuel Lines
Water Pick Up and Gate Valve
Original Polished Exhaust Tips
Biesemeyer Name Tags
Deck Access Covers
Drain Plugs
Cockpit Carpet
Upholstery
Boat Cover
Bilge Pump
New Period Restored Throttle Control
New Stringers
Deck Wood Replaced
Extensive Fiberglass Work
Body Work
Paint - Pure White with Light Sapphire Metallic Blue with added Clear Coat
Holley Red Fuel Pump
Water Separator / Filter
Hull Craft V Drive Rebuilt
Custom DriveShaft with New U Joints
New Brass Stuffing Box Prop Shaft Seal
Fire Extinguisher
Ron Hill 13X15 Left Prop
Original Trailer
New Fenders (now removable)
New Tires
Hubs Cleaned and Re-Packed -
Bearings, Races And Seals Replaced With A Roller Bearing Upgrade Kit
Buddy Bearings Added
New Lights and Wiring
New Pressure Treated 2X8 Bunks with New Carpet
Leaf Springs Rebuilt
Lots of Metal Removed and Some Replaced
New Safety Chains
New Winch and Strap
Paint
A couple changes.
Until we find new homes for them we treat them like our own.
We changed out the controller for one more to the period.
New spare tire and carrier.
We got rid of the stock alternator and added a single wire chrome alternator.
And a few more upgrades.
All done.
Ya, we still have it. To hard to let go.
Summer of 2019 it was 60 years old.
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