63 Debonaire

The Godfather wrote: 69barri, did you get my e-mail from Mr. Ralph..

I understand that this hull was the only one that CC made with the Rolls engine!!! It sure would be nice to put one back in! When you talk to the seller, see if he knows where the Rolls went. I'll bet a restorer of something grabbed it!!

Michael, Ive never heard of a unreliable Rolls!! Don't get your hopes up on finding one of the Rolls engine. There is only one listed in the ACBS directory. The engine is in a 1930 Plyms 26' sedan. Owned by a Bjorn Melander in Sweden!!!

You could email him and ask about the engine he has. It may be interesting. He's at: bjorn.melander@telia.com

Reid's deal sounds pretty good.

Hi Guys
Well it took a bit of finding but I think this is the Rolls engine, I have read its the silver cloud car engine from 59 to around 65 6.23 L then stroked up to 6.7L and used in the cars up 1990, they say its design is from a 1949 caddy engine,( you guys will know ) if so its a US engine to being with the bore size converts back to 4.00.
When the world needs a V8 we go to the US as its usually been done already.

Picture of the boat engine was 240 hp and a early car engine just not sure if the engines ran RR for boats!

Hope this helps, sorry took so long but working 24/7 on stores opening for Christmas should slow down by Nov.

It's definately an exotic looking engine. I wonder if any are still in existance?

I think there's an old Correct Craft in the diaries with a Packard engine.

packard equals rolls engine??? if so there's old wood boat here in sale with a Packard inline 6.

MarineTech wrote: Adam, It appears to be a water filter assy. Ken

Ken, Notice there's another one on the other side. I've got a feeling that they are the closed cooling heat exchangers. We can't see it in the picture but I'll say there are a couple more hose fittings on the other side of each. Two to the block and another two the the RWP - sitting between the HX's.

8122pbrainard wrote: Ken, Notice there's another one on the other side. I've got a feeling that they are the closed cooling heat exchangers.

Pete, after a closer look, you're probably right....I mistakenly noticed the rounded portion of the lower block going the length of the engine and thought THAT was a heat exchanger. In the later pic posted it's clearly part of the block, leaving not much choice but for the other two to be exchangers.
Ken

Well I am finally going up north to pick this boat up. I am leaving Orlando FL on the 27th to make the two day trip to CT and pick up the boat. Bit of a long haul, but worth it for what seems to be the only Debonnaire still in existence. The owner has told me that the boat still contains all of the original hardware including the windshield. The only thing missing, as I had mentioned before is the engine and transmission. The owner told me of two Palmer-Johnson engines that he has available, a possibility for the boat. I am thinking about maybe getting a drop in crate engine from PCM, perhaps the 409.... Pictures to follow in the next coming weeks.

69barri wrote: Hey reid do you have any interest in selling that motor trans combination?? I am located in Orlando so maybe we could arrange a meeting halfway or something. Are parts readily accessible for that engine?

69barri wrote: Well I am finally going up north to pick this boat up. I am leaving Orlando FL on the 27th to make the two day trip to CT and pick up the boat.

I'm a little confused, are you located in Orlando or Tampa? If you're in Orlando, I'd love to see the boat when you bring it home.

Sounds like a good plan, good luck with the trip Where do you go out with the Barricuda?

Michael,
A 409? You're forgetting the first half of this thread!! Really, I feel as well as others, that you wouldn't be doing this classic any good by dropping in modern power. It sounds like you really don't what to restore this boat!! How are you planning to use the boat? Look into the Palmer. Although it's not listed as a option, it's certainly more appropriate.

Pete,
I understand your opposition to the modern engine swap for the Debonnaire. I am not against keeping it era-correct as long as pricing and reliability do not suffer. This website does not have any reference material on the 1963 Debonnaire, but the 1965 Brochure showed that the boat could come equipped with a 280 hp Chrysler. Now I doubt that this engine is a 318 so is it a 340 or a 360? 440 even? I would not mind putting one of these engines in the boat since both my Barracuda and my dad's wildcat have a 318 and they run strong and sound great. Are you opposed to an original engine with some performance modifications? Nothing too extreme, would just like to get more speed out of the Barracuda for footing, stuck around 32 right now with a 12 x 14 three blade prop.

I would like to see him put in that 409 just to piss off Pete.

69barri wrote: Pete, ...would just like to get more speed out of the Barracuda for footing, stuck around 32 right now with a 12 x 14 three blade prop.

Whoa, kemosabie. Something is amiss. I can get 42 MPH GPS @ 4200 RPM on the Classic with a AMC 327 spinning a 4 blade 12x13 OJ. Not exactly a top end setup. I'd figure the 318 should put out equal if not more power than the 327, especially on the top end. I'd guess you should be able to do 40 MPH all day. I'd be looking for a problem.

Something is amiss, my stock m318 (polyhead) in my '65 Barracuda will do 44 mph plus or minus a couple of tenths on the gps, its spinning a 12 x 14 OJ legend at 4100 plus rpm.