1969 Correct Craft Barracuda

93/70 ccpb wrote: hello nautilus.i hope my 69 barracuda ss turns out as nice as yours when it is done.keep up you work.original or not wee need to keep them still on the water.dan in ohio

Nice Barracuda! you have a lot of work to do Dan before your's looks like that? when dad and I are done with the 81 I'll have to start helping you with the 69 SS

Jan,
You must have missed my question. From the picture you posted, the Shepard looks like a DD but as mentioned, they did love the VD's.

8122pbrainard wrote: Jan, Was the Shepard originally a V drive? I know they loved to use them.

At my age, you learn to accept gravity.

Thanks for the explanation Tim. I looked at a Peninsular 6.5 ad and talked to the seller last winter, had a 2:1 mated to it, but as you pointed out must have been thinking backwards about it.

For now, I'll proceed with Michigan Wheel's recommendation. If I don't like the results, I can always change the transmission and/or prop.

Yes, I'd say that boat will work for your "purpose" quite nicely!

Don't some of the diesel inboards use 2:1 transmissions? I'd almost think that would be the ticket for the low rpm and torque of that engine. Very cool, I can't wait to hear it run.

Yes. No need for water-jacketed exhausts. The engine will be completely exposed.

WOW!! I have the same "YH" carb adapter on my bad 6 as your V12!
(just not quite as many of them)

The prop is a little rare but is built by Michigan Wheel. They did the calculations based upon length, width, weight, length at waterline, transmission ratio, horsepower, etc., etc. This engine has a ton of torque. Frankly, I'll take whatever speed I can get. I'm just building it to pick up hot senior chicks with big boobs. Think it'll work?

That's not too oddball of a size, at least if he's running a 1-1/8" shaft. There were big block 1.5:1 boats that used similar sizes, though most were LH.

You must have quite a bit more than the original 215hp if you expect to see those kinds of speeds!

Neat engine for sure.

The engine is a 1947 American-LaFrance V12-J, 527 cubic inch displacement, 215 HP @3,600 RPMs, OHV, 24 spark plugs, two 12-point distributors each with two sets of points and four coils. The 12-spark plug version was originally used in mid-1930s Auburn automobiles. When Auburn went bankrupt, American-LaFrance bought the rights to the engine and re-worked it for firetruck use, including secondary heads holding four spark plugs each and a second distributor driven from the generator. It originally had two top-mounted carburetors and cast iron exhaust/intake manifolds.

I designed/built an aluminum intake/exhaust manifold sending the exhaust straight out the top and allowing the fuel to be supplied by six Carter YH marine carbs. The engine will drive a PCM 1.23:1 transmission through a Bentzen adapter and flywheel through an aluminum BBC bell housing. I'll be using a 14/20 cupped nibral prop (per Michigan Wheel) which should allow 50-55 MPH at 3,600 RPMs.

Now all I need is time and energy to work on it...and money. Donations accepted.

Nautilus wrote: Up until two years ago, this was my boat: I now own eight boats. The newest is 1988. The Stingray and Formula both run. The other six are projects, including a 1955 Shepherd that I will be converting to a rear cockpit racer powered by a V12 American-LaFrance engine.

Me LIKEY!!!!! BUT, we need more info on the engine!!!!



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Nautilus wrote: The brackets are pot metal and they were painted Eastwood aluminum rather than having them re-plated.

Jan,
Have you ever had any problems with coatings adhering to zinc die castings? How do you prep?

Yes, your windshield is original.

Hi Jan
On the Barracuda is that a glass windshield ? and the windshield corner brackets are those original to that boat ?

Kirk

Jan,
Thanks for filling us in. I've never seen an American-LaFrance in a marine application. Was it originally in a fire truck and you're converting it? What's your plan for a trans? The Sheperd's being a heavy and very stout built hull, it sure will be able to handle that engine.