engine for classic boat

[MJS]

Help! we are restoring a classic sports boat which we believe to be a 1929 Chris Craft. We are having trouble locating an engine and gearbox. It would have been an American straight six petrol engine of around 120 - 130bhp. we would also consider pretty much any suitable alternative, American or British, even a V8 Has any one out there got one they don't need or want, or point us in the right direction? Thanks for your help

 

[sailorman]

Welcome to the nut house
how about a rover SD1 V8 from a breakers yard, they r a very good engine i had one years ago. based i believe on a Chrysler engine just add a hydraulic box or pump

 

[MacW]

Believe or not ,the original type engine is probably available. There`s a sizable industry surrounding old sports boats both in E.U and USA. Get to work on google on Chris Craft,Riva etc and you should come up with loads of info,dealers, second hand stuff etc.
Cheers
Pete

 

[Talbot]

the old rover SD1 V8 is a good choice in that the engine is quite light for its power by comparison to most american V8s

 

[ccscott49]

I think it was probably a Gray six cylinder model. A search of classic boat types, will bring up a few of those engines for sale, but in the states. For a six cylinder, to replace it, a B30 volvo engine would do, about the right horesepwer and they did marinise those. A V8 rover would also do, I do believe marinisation kits are available for those as well. But it would be a shame to spoil her by fitting the wrong engine, if you are re-building, why not do it right.

 

[Nimrod30]

I believe that my friend has a flat head strait six in good order that he removed from an early NZ jet boat that was too rotten even to stay on it's trailer. Big drawback is it is in New Zealand.

 

[MJS]

Hello all. Thanks for your help so far, we have considered a rover V8 and even the ford essex and cologne V6's but we think that even though they could be 30 year old engines they are possibly too "modern" and not really in keeping with the character of the restoration. Now then what about a 6cyl healey? or the ford zefhyr 6 cyl?

 

[Lakesailor]

This (it's a link) guy should be able to point you in the right direction............

By the way. Not 200 yds from where I am sat is a 31ft Chris Craft lake cruiser (on the water) which is kind of for sale which has two Hercules 6cyl flatead engines fitted. I know because I've just been a looked.

 

[burgundyben]

Funnily enough I was looking for something similar recently and have just received an email from a guy, I no longer need it as have bought a modern diesel, so try this guy

I was after a 1936 graymarine Super Six 330.

Mike Garniss

chelseaboatworks@yahoo.com

Hope this helps.

 

[burgundyben]

Another thought, try www.acbs.orb the american antique classic boat society, they have a couple of old Grays on their classifieds page, not massive money and shipping a few hundred I think.

 

[Freebee]

typo:

http://www.acbs.org/