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Operation 87 Cafe rescue
Long time lurker and looker dead set for many years to find the “ right “ Cafe racer for me. I found her on Facebook it popped up and I immediately hit the road to go check her out down in St. Petersburg Florida. She checked out to be very solid. I found a thread on here on all the places possible to look in these ol
girls. Man kinda sorta didn’t know what he had I don’t think but we struck a deal thankfully and I drug her up to southern Tennessee where she lives now . She has had a new transom and upgraded to bravo ones. Some Stringer work etc etc. i bought her knowing the engines are/ where bad. Took them out asap and began further cleaning and fixing stuff from years of neglect. Tracked down some new power plants for her also turn key ready to drop in and I’m getting ready to do so! It’s has been a fun project so far yet with a ways to go. Managed to track down a couple of old owners and found out more of her history and things that have been done and I was at a relief to find out most all great things!! Here are a few pictures from the day she came home and I guess what we would call “ current state” Have been in and around all types and brands of boats my entire life. My old man spent a lot of time with me as a young boy teaching me the ways of old boats and boating etc! But still a rookie in my opinion and soaking up anything and everything I can learn. So sorry in advance for dumb questions and future posts I may add along the way. I will always appreciate more advice and knowledge. At the ripe old age of 31 guys my age just care about new boats and nothing near as classy and as cool as these boats. A Cafe Racer has been a life long dream of mine. My father has a 31ft bullet for a little while and Cigarette has always just been a passion of mine and finally got my hands on exactly the colors , year , power and everything on a Cafe I have always wanted! Luckily my stars aligned! My wife made me keep my new center console I have she isn’t completely sold on this yet but once it’s done it will change her mind! I’ll post more as I move along slowly but surely as time allows. https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...2b5ee9b40.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9afaa23ff.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...fbe2ee5ba.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...17fed2c35.jpeg Dirty interior Shot. She’s actually like new now since this was taken. https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...9835bc87c.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...56836f214.jpeg Cabin https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...b832fe9ea.jpeg The day I got her home https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...942668e57.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...544c0907d.jpeg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3854ea0c5.jpeg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...8a80cd06f.jpeg https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c98a38b7e.jpeg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...0e3db860f.jpeg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...40d7181aa.jpeg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d22803958.jpeg Before cleaning. The day old engines came out https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...bdc52340a.jpeg After about 11 hours of cleaning and scrubbing got the engine bay where is was “ ok “ to work in finally ( see before picture ) https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1298271a5.jpeg Taking out the old tired big blocks https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...3f37589a1.jpeg New power |
Bad azz!!! Congrats. I remember that boat for sale in 04ish. I want to say it was at Martin marine. Good looking cafe. Timeless graphics. Can’t wait to follow along on this thread.
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Congrats. I had a 91 Cafe for a couple years. Good luck with the project.
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Nice looking cafe have fun. Just one comment, the number of times I have heard "ready to drop in motors",,,,,,,,,, if I was you pull them apart and check them out while you have the time. Finding out next spring will suck.
My buddy just bought a 60 hour motor,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, its at the re-builder. Bought a set of 500EFI's once ready to drop in with dyno sheets,,,,, they were sent to rebuild. Dyno sheets did not come from that motor and he paid to have them ran. The good doc can tell you about a Cafe he bought with rebuilt motors,,,,, Lots of really good guys that sell chit. |
Congratulations, I remember seeing that boat when I bought my Cafe. It is nice to see them getting updated and brought back to life. Mine has similar color scheme.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...1bf684112.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...d25a0ef46.jpeg |
Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix
(Post 4846333)
Nice looking cafe have fun. Just one comment, the number of times I have heard "ready to drop in motors",,,,,,,,,, if I was you pull them apart and check them out while you have the time. Finding out next spring will suck.
My buddy just bought a 60 hour motor,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, its at the re-builder. Bought a set of 500EFI's once ready to drop in with dyno sheets,,,,, they were sent to rebuild. Dyno sheets did not come from that motor and he paid to have them ran. The good doc can tell you about a Cafe he bought with rebuilt motors,,,,, Lots of really good guys that sell chit. Sigh... boats. https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...43f33c1dc2.jpg |
Its why I think the best boat to buy is the one that blows up on the sea trail! At least you know where you stand,,,LOL.
Originally Posted by DrFeelgood
(Post 4846381)
Indeed. When I bought my Cafe it had a pair of motors that were described as very fresh 540s, I think the hour meters showed less than 50 hours on them. Within 5 hours of usage I had a stuck lifter and chewed up camshaft, and teardown revealed sloppy assembly tolerances all over the place. Had a survey on it too, which missed a cracked gimbal ring among other things.
Sigh... boats. |
That's the first Cigarette i've seen with the through prop exhaust option as well. Nice boat, look forward to seeing the upgrades.
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Congrats!
Cafes are wonderful boats, I'm sure you'll enjoy. |
Cool looking Cafe and and nice find! You'll enjoy the boat tremendously.
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Thank you
Thank you guys for all the kind words and advice! Looking forward to having what I named “ smugglers choice “ up and going! I’ll post more pictures in the coming days and weeks! Constructive criticism is expected!
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I finally got some free time to do a little progress on the ol 87 Cafe.
First thing on the list of to-do’s was modify the front engine mounts as the lower part of them would not clear the oversized oil pans on my new engines. So I had to modify them a little to clear + / - 2 inches but got that done and them painted and re mounted back in they’re home! 2nd chore was to remove the Y pipes and silent choice stuff that had gotten installed at some point in her life , I assume it was when the transom got replaced and bravos where added… https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...46f65b1fb.jpeg also installed block off plates. I myself chose not to go back that route as working around those Y pipes kinda sucks anyway lol and I’m really trying hard to keep the 80’s originality to the best of my ability. I also like the thought of less plumbing in the engine bay also but that’s just my opinion. that’s all for now! Might mess around Sunday and get one engine dropped off in there who knows! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...f8562d9f6.jpeg |
Awesome project currently starting a Cafe myself!
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Sight for sore eyes and a empty engine bay
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Took a breath
She finally took her first breath since 2017 on the starboard side this past Thursday!
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5584e1648.jpeg |
Bet that felt good!
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keep it up!!
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Got a video with sound on that?
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i do
Originally Posted by Helmwurst
(Post 4858805)
Got a video with sound on that?
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Originally Posted by 87CigCafe
(Post 4859481)
i do but one out of ten tries of posting on here I might get one to work without the infamous error message.... ill keep trying though!
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ok
Originally Posted by Griff
(Post 4859516)
You can't directly upload videos onto OSO. They need to be uploaded to youtube and then linked
ok I will try that sometime! thanks! |
2/19/23
got aroud to plumbing port engine today and made time to try and fire her off and she did not disappoint! she took her first breath on port side and I'm overly thrilled about it! shes slowy coming to life hoping to do a small shake down test run in the coming weeks! |
Coming along! One day at a time!
Engines are in and doing well. Got the drives put on this morning. Got 4 new batteries for her this morning and got to check all her systems out and everything seems to be good! Other than the drive trim cylinders being stuck only thing I’ve found wrong yet since reassembly! The rebuild of the Ol Cafe that was left for dead is still coming along well! Considering where I started!
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...95d59da20.jpeg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...220da173c.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...a681cbd2b.jpeg https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...c738bd554.jpeg |
Awesome man.
My Cafe was the latter style cabin with the table and wrap around seat. It was neat, but the couches are so much more functional..... Keep up the work.... |
I'm not a prop expert, but 3 blades seem an odd selection for that boat.....
I had a set of 24's and 26's on mine. 4 blades. |
Agree
I agree I didn’t put those on there but I have a set of bravo 23’s for it I’m gonna give a try I always kinda wondered why it had these on it also lol
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4 blade will give you way better cruise speed. Trs used 3 blade for the deeper drive
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Still in shock
Still in shock and a proud moment from where i started to now and her turning over with the keys for its first time in many years! Just wanted to post.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5619b71ba.jpeg |
Originally Posted by 87CigCafe
(Post 4860509)
Still in shock and a proud moment from where i started to now and her turning over with the keys for its first time in many years! Just wanted to post.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5619b71ba.jpeg |
Originally Posted by 87CigCafe
(Post 4860509)
Still in shock and a proud moment from where i started to now and her turning over with the keys for its first time in many years! Just wanted to post.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...5619b71ba.jpeg |
Throttle cables
Any of you guys ever replaced the throttle cables in your cafe? If so do you remember the lengths for port and starboard?
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Ah
Originally Posted by DrFeelgood
(Post 4860545)
Try this thread:
https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/...e-lengths.html that’s the one I was looking for lol! Thanks man! |
Props
In todays world props have come a long way since some of the posts I’ve read on here with Cafe Racers and props….. if you were to prop this boat with todays tech. She has bravos now unsure of gear ratio right now but guesstimating around 485-500 horse per side naturally aspirated engines stainless marine exhaust dart intakes Holley double pumpers….. has some old 21p 3 blades on it right now prior to these new engines….. is bravo just the prop of all props now? School me…
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We’ll if start with 4 blade b1 24s. My topgun with konrads was running 4 blade 30s had 575 sci engines boat ran 78 with those I went to 5 blade 28s boat went 79 and cruise went up 8 mph. I’m not sure of your x if you swing 5 blades and the bravo might not like that I’d stick with 4 blade bravo props they seem to work well on the old straight bottom boats
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I don't know about schooling you, but the Bravo 1 four blade is a great all around prop for bigger twin engine performance style hulls. When running a 30Ft + heavy Cigarette boat, the four the blade really helps the boat to get on plane quicker than a three blade prop. You will have a higher, more stable cruising speed and better throttle response over a three blade prop. A 4 blade Bravo1 prop does pretty much everything better than a 3 blade for a Cigarette boat, except for top speed numbers. You will usually lose a couple MPH at WOT when u go from 3 to 4 blade props. Not always, but usually, just because you are now pushing more water with the extra blade, slows the boat down a touch. But in my worthless opinion, I think the 4 blade is a much better choice for all around performance than a 3 blade propeller.
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the cable length should be marked on the ends of the cables............might try some Bravo 1 28 4 blade
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-2
Thanks for the input….. I’ve also got access to negative 2 lowers with low water pickups…. Worth it?
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Sportmaster or IMCO...........check your prop shaft depth in relation to the bottom if there deep Id run the shorties,
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Sporty
Originally Posted by F-2 Speedy
(Post 4861006)
Sportmaster or IMCO...........check your prop shaft depth in relation to the bottom if there deep Id run the shorties,
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