Crackerbox engine, Tips on making on making it safe.

Sean-Nos

Sean-Nos

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
354
Hi guys in my build post http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=388817&page=2&p=3583709#post3583709 Rogersjetboat454 has spotted that the engine I plan to use may just be a car/truck engine that the last owner put in. I don't know much about v8's but have rebuilt the one I got with the donor boat hoping to use it in the crackerbox, Rogers has already kindly point out that I should change the distributor for something like this http://www.michiganmotorz.com/delco-voyager-marine-electronic-distributor-p-140.html and maybe the alternator, starter and carb. I am open to any tips and help to get this engine safe for marine use "as cheep as pos":D Thanks

This is the engine.
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Crackerbox engine, Tips on making on making it safe.

Rogersjetboat454 is correct. The reason things like carbs, fuel pumps, alternators, distributors, and starters (to name a few) are not used is because they are safety issues. Marine carbs and fuel pumps are designed to keep the fuel in the fuel system and into the carb if things go wrong. With automotive, a leaky fuel pump or stuck float in the carb will allow all that leaking fuel into the bilge. Then you have all your electrical items creating sparks near that fuel. Want to guess what happens when you put gasoline and the fumes in a box and make sparks?????
 
Pmccraney

Pmccraney

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 26, 2011
Messages
1,734
Re: Crackerbox engine, Tips on making on making it safe.

Don s. is a pro so listen to him. I am not much of an engine guy but stumbled across this link which I thought I would share since you are inquiring about marine-specific engine functions/parts. As don points out, the differences are in almost all cases safety driven. You have done an amazing job building that beautiful boat and the guys on this forum are really knowledgeable and can help you get a safe power plant for that work of art you are building.

Click HERE for the link.
 
Sean-Nos

Sean-Nos

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 3, 2010
Messages
354
Re: Crackerbox engine, Tips on making on making it safe.

Thanks guys, Ok to start with the distributor itself I can get one of these http://www.marineparts.ie/engine-pa...6-thunderbolt/distributor-assembly-gm-v8.html will it just be a matter of swapping them over using the same plug leads and wiring.

Next the carb,I'm am afraid to ask this because i know they are not cheep so if I have to change it I will look for a second hand one.
Is this the wrong one :confused:
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