| 1947 American-LaFrance V12-J Marine Engine Conversion |
| I bought this engine in original condition in order to build something a little different to power my 1954 Chris Craft Riviera racer project. I fabricated a 1" thick aluminum adapter that allowed me to bolt-up a Crusader bell housing (GM to Velvet Drive transmission) with a rear-mounted reverse rotation starter. I mounted a raw water pump from a 7.4L Mercruiser and made the modifications that were needed for the cooling system. Modifications included: GM 1-wire alternator Twin Carter 2GC carburetors Crusader outside ring gear flywheel Holley electric fuel pump and regulator Vintage McCulloch VS-57 supercharger Custom dump to exhaust thermostat cap/bracket |
The smaller diameter GM flywheel required the starter to be rear-mounted so I used a vintage Crusader GM 350 Velvet Drive bell housing with a reverse rotation high torque starter. |
All bolts-ons were removed from the engine, including the secondary heads. It
was then thoroughly de-greased. Each valve was removed, cleaned, inspected and
wire-wheeled. The pistons were removed, all rings replaced and cylinders honed.
was then thoroughly de-greased. Each valve was removed, cleaned, inspected and
wire-wheeled. The pistons were removed, all rings replaced and cylinders honed.
| This engine has two 12-point distributors, four sets of points, four coils and 24 spark plugs which required 112' of vintage cloth-wrapped solid core spark plug wire. |
| Painted with 1956 Chevrolet Tropical Turquoise |
| Engine wiring diagram |
| Nautilus Marine Restorations (864) 638-0999 NautilusRestorations@yahoo.com |
