Thread:

1979 24' Ranger Day Cruiser

Hello P-Boaters,

I'm looking at picking up a 1979 24' Ranger Day Cruiser. Its got a Ford 351 Windsor with a broken camshaft and a fresh OMC outdrive (not sure what model it is, just that its an OMC). The boats in fantastic condition, right down to the upholstery and carpet, even the Gel Coats still nice. I'm going back tomorrow with a friend of mine who is a mechanic and he's gonna let me know if it's worth it in his professional opinion, but I'll basically be picking her up for a grand, which is a screaming deal on such a boat in this condition. I have been asking around, but so far none of my friends in the boating world have ever dealt with a Ranger like this (my buddy told me he used to work on Ranger center console boats with outboards back when he was a tech) but otherwise, nothing so far. Does anyone have any advice with these types of boats? He told me he was doing some tubing with his kids when the motor randomly died, and after getting back home he said he found the camshaft to be broken, hes not sure how badly, or if there was any major metal pieces in the crank case, but I've replaced a snapped camshaft in a Chevy 350 in an old eliminator, so I don't picture it being a major issue unless there was some piston/valve contact, but I'm told that probably wasn't the case unless he over revved it. I know I didn't have any piston/valve contact in the 350 motor.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Here is a link to a photo of a similar boat, identical except for color. 0826110641a.jpg picture by jblwaterworks - Photobucket

79 omc outdrive is going to be the problem, they were junk then & finding parts & a person to work on it now is just a waste of money.

Its worth 1000 all day long. they are great boats for kids, and if you are gentle on the outdrive, you can make it last.

A Ford can break a cam in half, and run back to the dock, so I believe his story. It can also usually be fixed, no problem.

I hope you bought it, stuffed in a marine cam, and are getting ready for beautiful weather with your kids.