Just in case anyone is interested, I thought I might mention that a local NW Indiana engine shop is starting to rebuild a 215 hp, 312 Interceptor Marine conversion that looks all original. It has an EDB block, ECZ-T heads, and dual side-draft Carter single barrel carbs. I will be nosing around while they disassemble it to see if it has the forged steel 312 crank that I have heard of, but no one has been able to find. I could e-mail photos if someone twists my arm.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Bill,



I must confess that I know next to nothing about boat motors, but I have an idea that cooling water is drawn right out of the stream (as opposed to a closed, automotive type system). If this is really the case, it seems to me that salt water coastal use would shorten engine life, big time. Where did your Interceptor come from?

I wonder why the heads fared better than the block? (I assume you had them pressure checked). Would an open cooling system layout allow gravity to drain them and retard corrosion?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

Correction: Heads are ECG-T.



I have since learned that end-of-season block draining very important in coastal areas. Possibly, Bill has suffered the result of a previous owners neglect.



P.S. I will attempt to insert an attached photo, but I am not optimistic.

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

The new block in MoonShadow is a 292 Interceptor. It was a Ford factory rebuilt at 40 over. Ran for 10 hours and then sat for 20 years. Tight, clean, solid engine and runs great. BUT the freeze plugs were bad AND the scale in the water jackets in the rear was up to the bottom of the freeze plug hole. I'll be pulling the engine again this winter and am looking for a way to clean the water jackets without sending the block out. Any ideas? Scale is a definite problem on these motors but they can often be low use engines. Chuck in NH

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

As far as I know, according to experts like John Mummert & Bruce Young, there are no 312 forged steel cranks. They are all nodular cast iron.  However, it's possible that some 292 Interceptors built from 1961 to 1964 might have steel cranks.  Except for extreme service there is nothing wrong with the cast cranks, they are not "Chebie" cranks!  Remember Ford used them in 57 with superchargers & they were generally reliable.  Obviously after 50 years of service, they need to be properly checked out for a rebuild.  

Paul

I have the complete assembly in storage for the winter. Includes the usually missing front sections of the intake etc. Condition is unknown but its sister engine started and ran well. EMAIL me your offer! chuck3eagles@comcast.net

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire