Wanted: Photos of Chris Craft 430 and 431 MEL Lincoln marine engines
July 15 2005 at 9:05 PM
P (no login)
The very first 38-foot Chris Craft Commander was built in 1964. The boat was first offered with a small block Chevy motor, and it was discovered this size boat really needed a bit more power in offshore applications. The big Lincoln "MEL" was offered as an option.
Then in 1966 Chris Craft started transitioning over to the 427 "FE". Also, in 1966 there were strikes, which I believe were UAW union related, and the supply of 427 engines was in question, and therefore in this transition year, you can find a pair of 327 motors, 427 FE, 430 MEL, 413 and 426-B Cnrysler motors. There are relatively few surviving MEL powered 38 Commanders out there, however, we do have one member who just took delivery of one, but the engines are still in question.
If anyone out there has photos of the MEL marine engine, post away and we'll appreciate the info, and will hopefully be able to assist in some way too.
This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Apr 12, 2006 5:03 PM This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Aug 17, 2005 2:25 PM This message has been edited by FEfinaticP on Aug 17, 2005 2:03 PM
Here is where some MEL 430s are right now (what should be done?)
July 16 2005, 5:06 AM
Lawrence has threatened to drop the engines in my driveway. I think he should "try" to wear them out first, after all, there are untold previous owners and a million dinosaurs who gave their lives to make the gas these motors have used, and they're still running.
Also, very few people know what a marine MEL sounds like.
I have Lincoln 430's in my Chris Craft Constellation (1961), sorry not a Commander. Just had them rebuilt- pics in Classic Boating magazine. I need exhaust manifold gaskets desperately. Anyone with a source please help. Thanks.
Here you go Dave, a MEL powered Continental for $29,000
July 23 2005, 7:38 AM
The big Lincoln motors were the absolute "premium" offering for Chris Craft. They were more expensive to build than the replacement FE series that followed, and I suspect they were heavier too. However, I have no doubt at all, that they were as durable, or more durable as the FE series.
Chris Craft had the choice of using Cadillac power, see my link to the Mt. Dora boat show for some great shots of Cadillac motors in the Chris Craft Cobra, but for their top of the line "Continental" they chose the big Lincoln motor. How appropriate too, to have a Continental motor in a Continental.
This one below is from the Sierra Boat Co., and if there's anyone out there who wants a premium boat, this may be a chance to relive your childhood, or live that childhood you didn't live first time around.
regards, Paul
CF1730AC 1961 Chris Craft Continental 21' Chris Craft 430 285hp $29,500
1961 was the last year for the traditional all wood decks on the Chris Crafts. This boat represents the flagship of the Continental series and sports stylish fiberglass fins as befitting the era. This boat is freshly varnished and has a new interior. It has the rare, optional hard top, and the top of the line Lincoln 431 engine. You won't find many of these around.
I too have these giants. I have read both pro and con of the engine. I think the worst con currently is the gas mileage. But I would like to keep my 64 Connie stock. How have you done in finding material about rebuilding and sources for parts? James DeWhitt, 1964, 46'Constellation, Lake Travis, Austin TX
I produced a comprehensive research paper years ago on the FE series, and I was looking for a reason why Ford built that motor when they also built the big Lincolns too. Both were designed in 1958, but for different reasons.
The FE series (commonly thought of as the 352, 390, 428 and 427, although there are several other variants too) was intended for their mainstay automotive line. The MEL (Mercury, Edsel, Lincoln) big block was designed from the onset as a luxury car motor, correction........it was designed as a BIG luxury car motor for BIG cars. It started out big, and just got bigger as the years progressed.
These were expensive motors, some were run 10-hours before release to the customer. They were thought of as some of THE finest running motors of our time. Of course, they made great boat motors, but the FE series was cheaper. That is probably the main reason CC moved to the FE series. The big Lincoln could have easily been tuned for 300-hp, but they were offered at 275. The FE series excelled in racing, due to the wedge-head design being better suited for high rpm racing, but the Lincoln was just fine for marine use.
If you do a LOT of cruising, then fuel consumption differences will come into play. However, ANY big block motor these days pushing a large cruiser is going to suck the gas, and the Lincolns are no exception. When I did my research on the FE series, I learned a ton of information about the series and the MEL series too, and one of the top employees at the Chris Craft engine plant told me personally, that the "Lincoln motors were as good for Chris Craft, with regards to reliability and customer recalls, as any other motor we offered". (or something close to that).
Basically, the Lincolns can be made to perform as well as just about any other V8 motor their size. If you add electronic ignition that takes care of any ignition issue. Perhaps a new carb will help if your old one is shot. I'm getting a drip from one of my Carter AFBs at idle, and I know it needs to be rebuilt. My fuel consumption is natually going to be higher on that one. Your biggest challenge will be to find good risers and exhaust manifolds, but as with all vintage motors, they're out there if you are willing to look. Many times the price seems high, and may be high, but in reality, the price is going to be high no matter what brand of riser you are sourcing these days.
Hope these comments help a bit with the perspective.
Todd's had 2700 hours when he took off on a 700 mile cruise
December 27 2008, 1:04 PM
This is a case where "condition" is more important than "hours". A thousand hours with crap for oil in the sump sure won't equal 1000 hours with Mobil-1 15W50 extendes service, for instance. I have not heard of any gas motots going into 5 digits. I dare say there are some with 3000 hours on them, maybe more.
I would think the big Lincoln would be able to make the long haul as easily as the 427 could, maybe longer, not sure. The 427 block metalurgy is harder than what I believe the Lincoln used, but proper lubrication would seem to take care of that. Sad thing is, back when these motors were built, the oils that were popular were good, not great, and as a result I think there was a lot of unnecessary wear, especially if someone did not watch the hours on the oil.
Nowadays, synthetics are so superior it's a shame not to use the ones that are suitable for old solid lifter iron. In my opinion, it suspends the wear factor down to almost nil. Naturally valve seats and surfaces will wear about the same either way, but rings, pistons, cams, cylinder bore, and bearings will be far better off.
