Re: Chris Craft 430ies

[Chris Craft crazy]

So, a couple of questions:

First, the original fuel pump has been bypassed, because the pushrods wear off very quickly at the engine end. I assume these are like the old 239 fords, which drive the fuel pump off a lobe on the rear of the camshaft. I think what has probably happened is that some scarring has occured on the cam, and it is wearing the pump pushrod because of it. Comments?

Second, In some cases Chris Craft had a slightly different cam for their marine use motors than the car version, because of the marine engine being under constant load. In the case of the 430 in this boat, I don't find that likely.. but who knows. I would love to hear some comments on camshafts available and what experience people have had in perfomance differences.

Third, I obviously just missed a major bargain on an Edelbrock L300... a buy it now on Ebay for 200 bucks
I would be interested in one of those intakes if anyone knows of one.

fourth: Big pistons. Where to find, how much can I bore this engine. I have found someone nearby that has a marine block, which has been sitting for a while. Most of you guys know that 30 over doesn't sometimes clean up old blocks due to rust or wear, but if .120 is possible on the lincoln, that should solve that problem ... wow

finally, thanks for this forum. Really great resource... and obviously guys I can ask dumb questions and get really good answers. ... Peter Jardine

[Theo]

So, a couple of questions:

First, the original fuel pump has been bypassed, because the pushrods wear off very quickly at the engine end. I assume these are like the old 239 fords, which drive the fuel pump off a lobe on the rear of the camshaft.

The fuel pump is attached in the front section rather than in the rear section of the block.

I think what has probably happened is that some scarring has occured on the cam, and it is wearing the pump pushrod because of it. Comments?

Hard to tell w/o inspecting the cam.

Second, In some cases Chris Craft had a slightly different cam for their marine use motors than the car version, because of the marine engine being under constant load. In the case of the 430 in this boat, I don't find that likely.. but who knows. I would love to hear some comments on camshafts available and what experience people have had in perfomance differences.

Well boat camshafts are mostly if not allways different than car cams. Boat cams are ground for massive torque rather than for high revolution high horsepower operation. They usually should have less duration at 50 and shorter overlap. Modern aftermarket cams might also come up with a higer lift at the same or slighty longer duration.

fourth: Big pistons. Where to find, how much can I bore this engine. I have found someone nearby that has a marine block, which has been sitting for a while. Most of you guys know that 30 over doesn't sometimes clean up old blocks due to rust or wear, but if .120 is possible on the lincoln, that should solve that problem ... wow

I don't know how much over you can bore a MEL Block. The problem is not just the beef of the cylinder walls. It's core shift that makes your life difficult. To bore a block safe you should have the cilynder walls sonic checked by a compotent mashinist. I'm currently selling a "Daytona Instruments" sonic checker BTW.
Make sure to read the various sections in this forum for your choice on pistons. There is a sticky post in this section. I'm not good in keeping all the details, so I can't really point you to threads. Sorry.

finally, thanks for this forum. Really great resource... and obviously guys I can ask dumb questions and get really good answers. ... Peter Jardine

Thanks. You're welcome

[Theo]

BTW Peter, I moved your photo post to the photo section. See viewtopic.php?f=17&t=297

Your introduction can be viewed in the "Introduce yourself" section at viewforum.php?f=72

[Chris Craft crazy]

Oops, forgot that rear and front are reversed on the marine... on the 431H Chris Craft motor the flywheel is on the front. Note the aluminum bellhousing.. and the pumps are different. Carter AFB is original.
The Supersport is now in the stripping out phase. All the interior upholstery has been removed, as well as the hardware etc. You can see the Lincoln sitting there all by it's lonesome

[Shelby#18]

That is a thing of beauty. Please keep photo's coming on the progress!

[reijerlincoln]

Here's a thread about the MEL Engine Series Combustion Chamber & Piston Design viewtopic.php?f=2&t=67 It names a few suppliers. Hope it helps.

[Chris Craft crazy]

So here we are... an engine torn down. This is a 1960 430 block, but by the casting numbers, the heads are 1961, so it must be an engine built on the edge of 61. I post these pics as a reference for those of you who have not seen the differences between the marine engine and automotive.

First, the block, with a single solid lifter sitting there..

Here is the curious little brass flexible coupling to the strainer... which is also bronze mounted in the bottom of the pan.

Now the pan, which is about double the capacity of an automotive pan, and is CAST ALUMINUM. Keep in mind the engine is flipped around... the flywheel is on the front, and the timing gears on the rear of the engine The pan has an inspection port on the one side, so you can unbolt the flexible pipe from the strainer before dropping the pan.

[Chris Craft crazy]

This engine has been rebuilt, and the pistons are Kanter replacements, .020 over flat tops, and that will change

Here is another engine lurking in the back, as well as other parts of this one

This is the cast aluminum housing that joins up the crank at the timing cover end to the transmission.(to the left of the picture.. essentially making it the timing cover. The transmission itself is the seal on the end of the housing... one of the reason for the extra oil capacity. The fuel pump and fuel pump rod are also in this housing, as well as the back legs for the engine as it sits on the engine beds.

[Theo]

Great Photos Peter, thank you for sharing them with us. There are not many photos of marine MEL engines out there.
I've edited some of your photos for a larger view if you click on them. Here they are.

chriscraft_mel_engine4b.jpg (100.32 KiB) Viewed 57327 times

[66Lincoupe]

I would LOVE to see a close up of that gear drive timing set!!! Wonder if it would fit under the passenger car timing cover??