Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

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haulnazz15

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

If I had to guess, I'd say she was a mid-60's model of some sort. Is that a Chrysler 383 engine?
 
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randyhutch

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

No its a Mercury 312, not the original engine that was in the boat.
 
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haulnazz15

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

randyhutch said:
No its a Mercury 312, not the original engine that was in the boat.
Click to expand...

Ah, it would help if I enlarged the pics and saw the large Mercury embossed on the valve covers. I saw the canted distributor and didn't realize I was looking at the back of the block.
 
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randyhutch

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

You are correct of course. I discovered this when I removed the engine cover. Will this make a good boat engine, and is it common at all for boats?
 
Ned L

Ned L

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

I'm still not "seeing" Chris Craft in her or the hardwqare, accessories, etc. I think the vents on the transom may be similar to what Chris used in the 60's - early 70's, but the boxy design was pretty common then and not exclusive to Chris. The cleats certainly are not the classic 'bullet' or 'torpedo' shape that only Chris Craft used. NEAT boat though. No question Chris Craft did sell kit boats, but as far as I know that ended before they transitioned to fiberglass, so a Chris Craft kit boat would be wood. - (Besides the fact that you mentioned it early on) You can also tell that it is not the original engine even before the cover was off (if it is indeed a Chris). It has a left hand prop, and a single screw Chris would be a right hand engine. Chris Craft or not this is a nice practical boat and you could have a lot of fun with it.
 
JoLin

JoLin

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

randyhutch said:
Will this make a good boat engine, and is it common at all for boats?
Click to expand...

If it runs I guess it's okay, but finding parts for it'll be a problem. The Ford/Mercury 292, 312, 352, 390 series of engines started with the 292 in the early '50's. By about 1963 only the 352 and 390 were still in production. The smaller V-8's were replaced by the 'new' 260/289/302 series.

Man, that boat is a whoie series of contrasts, isn't it? 1960's Fiberglass hull, 1950's engine, accessories all wrong for a Chris*Craft, etc. Looks to me like you've got one rare boat there, dude.
 
Don S

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

Will this make a good boat engine, and is it common at all for boats?
Click to expand...

Common, absolutely not. Will it make a good engine, hmmmmmmm. Will it meet todays safety standards for fire and explosion hazards. NO WAY. If fixed up to todays standards will it make a good boat and engine, possibly. But from few pictures and details who knows.
Does it look cool, absolutely. Can you afford it? Only you can answer that.
 
MH Hawker

MH Hawker

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

What dose the tittle say it is.
 
Ned L

Ned L

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

Hmm, I guess I'm wondering what's wrong with the engine? It appears to be a legitimate marine conversion (flame arrestor on carb., marine reverse gear & exhaust manifolds,..) Yes, the hoses & filter should be upgraded, but it may surprise you. I'd get a regular auto mechanic who might be familiar with that vintage to see if he can bring it to life. - It is raw water cooled & the stbd manifold looks like it might have been welded, but if it is a fresh water engine, who knows.
 
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gozierdt

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Re: Please help me Identify my Boat - Chris Craft

I recommend you go over and ask your identification questions over at the "Fiberglassics" site:

https://www.fiberglassics.com/

They specialize in the older fiberglass boats. I'd guess somewhere in the mid-sixties to mid-seventies
for the age of the boat. And it may have been sold as an unfinished hull to be completed by the owner.
 
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