Boat Progress

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

I had a real problem getting a replacement manifold for my 283F chris craft engine. It is the cast iron original, and they burn through the exhaust baffle underneath the carburetor. Mine was burnt through enough that the exhaust contaminated the engine and blew smoke out the crankcase ventilator. Anyway... after getting one and returning it because it was the wrong bore of carburetor, I finally took my old one to a fella I know who owns a Fabrication and Millwork business. One of his welders fabricated a new baffle in steel, and welded it to the cast iron absolutely meticulously. He charged me $43 bucks US. A new used manifold is 275 US. Thanks to Andy Vos. He is also going to make my new swim platform brackets to my design out of stainless. Hurray for talented welders :D I now have the whole engine together save a couple of hoses and the distributor and plug wires... Woo hoo :D :D

[John Blazy]

Dontcha just love good quality fabrication? With the work ethic dwindling in todays society, quality craftsmen just look that much better. Good for you.

[Dave Fleming]

Ain't it the truth!
I cultivate such relationships very carefully.
A good craftsman in any field is hard to find. Stroke and spoil such ***mechanics*** as if your life depends on it. I have finally found such a person to work on my Cummins Diesel truck it has been a long hard expensive time searching for such a person. Machine Shops, well bye now you have all heard my mantra on that one.
Too bad our attitudes have come to this, sigh.

[Mr. Know It All]

Pete....Glad you made a good contact to help further your project.. I thought of another. Jim's Engine Shop in Olmsted Township (near Cleveland,OH.) He specializes in used and rebuilt parts and service for 40's 50's and 60's Chris Craft Engines. A forum member that I refered to him was pleased with his ability to find exactly what he needed to finish his restoration ( a manifold). I got a chance to personally view one of his rebuilt/restored engines at the ACBS display ( a really nice 40's CC) at the Cleveland boat show recently. He does very nice work. I can't seem to find his e-mail addy but I do have his phone # if you're interested.
Peace----> Kevin in Ohio

[Peter Malcolm Jardine]

Well... here is an update :( after spending some time on a cold february day in the engine room, I found some evidence that the other engine has a cracked block... water dripping down one side from the middle of the casting...you can see the crack. So.... now I have another engine to get out, tear down, machine, and rebuild, and less time. Oh well, its just iron. :rolleyes:

[Bruce Taylor]

That's great...I mean, that's awful...I mean...I'm sure you'll be in the water as soon as there's some liquid water to be in.

[Mr. Know It All]

Rebuilding both engines now may be a blessing in disguise down the road. Probably Cheaper in the long run and you'll be able to rely on both engines. Just enough winter left to get it done too. Hang in there.
Peace---> Kevin in Ohio