Model A Engine Marine Conversion

[eystein]

Thought I'd post some photos of a marine converted model A engine. I came across all the parts that had been stripped off a model A block, which the owner was going to replace in his car. The conversion parts were going to be thrown away which I thought was too bad, as this definitely represents rare technical heritage. There were a lot of these marine conversions around in fast small boats from the 30s onward, but now you hardly see them.

I arranged for the parts to be given to a local museum of marine engines and I supplied them with a Model A block and head which I would not be using.

I think that the guys at the museum made a good job out of putting it all together for display !

The design of the kit is interesting. Since the propeller axle needs to come out to the rear of the engine as close as possible to the bottom of the boat, the flywheel had to be moved to a special housing at the front of the engine, A special low oil sump was cast from aluminum and also encapsulates at the rear a planetary gear for reversing thrust. The cooling system is interesting, where the water first is sent to an oil cooler, then through the block to cool the engine, then through a water cooled jacketed exhaust manifold and finally into the exhaust path itself for sound deadening.

 

[Gary WA]

Very nice save and interesting, Thanks for posting photos etc.

 

[Ruth]

Wow! What a shame that would have been if these parts were disposed of. Nice going eystein!

 

[MVal]

Who made the conversion?

 

[mercman from oz]

Model A Engine Marine Conversion. What an interesting piece of work.

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

That would make a cool boat engine.
Thanks for saving and donating it to a museum.

 

[ETAModel]

I read a book years ago about a hunter who hired a boat to take him across Lake Victoria, SA. He said the boat had a model A motor. They ran into a storm and he thought they would drown. I don't recall the title.

Very interesting thread.

 

[Nosetime]

Interesting!

 

[Ray64]

i am curious about the dizzy

 

[eystein]

Who made the conversion?

I tried asking on some classic boat sites, but got no answer. I know there were several different conversions based on "A" engines as I have seen photos of such before. The kit was most probably made locally here in Scandinavia.

Unfortunately the classic boat people seem to be just that - boat people and not mechanics people. While their boats may be beautifully restored you will usually find that the engines have been replaced with modern engines for cost efficient cruising.

Hence very little seem to be known about engine conversions such as this.

 

[ETAModel]

I tried asking on some classic boat sites, but got no answer. I know there were several different conversions based on "A" engines as I have seen photos of such before. The kit was most probably made locally here in Scandinavia.

Unfortunately the classic boat people seem to be just that - boat people and not mechanics people. While their boats may be beautifully restored you will usually find that the engines have been replaced with modern engines for cost efficient cruising.

Hence very little seem to be known about engine conversions such as this.

I went to I-Boats.com and they helped me get a 70year old motor running. You might ask over there.

 

[Bruce of MN]

I went to I-Boats.com.

Do you have the URL, I-Boats.com in a search didn't get me anywhere?

 

[airjam]

Very interesting. Thanks for posting

 

[denis4x4]

Chris Craft and Henry Ford were friends and neighbors. I had a 1942 C-C 14' Utility boat with a Model A steering set up. Dodge Brothers also built boats.