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LBC engines in marine application

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Silverghost

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Does anyone have any information on using LBC engines in a marine application? Could I adapt an engine from a Mini ie. 850, etc. or possibly an MGB engine for use in a boat? Probably not a project to be undertaken lightly but curiosity has me thinking. :smile:
 
The saving grace about British Automobile reliability is, when they quit, you get out and walk home.
Unless your initials are JC, walking on water when they quit is not an option.
I'm having issues getting my head around SU fuel pumps, carbs, Lucas electronic ignition, thrust bearings.......
And now you've given me a headache!
 
There was an Austin-Healey motorboat at one point... https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110517053327AAJTlOj How many of you knew that?
grin.gif


I've actually seen one, about ten years ago at a British car show in Ontario, it looked to be a non-runner...

4613209_1500b735ae_z.jpg




And don't forget about the Amphicar, it was a German-built car but it used the Triumph Herald, of course from England...
 
Silverghost said:
Does anyone have any information on using LBC engines in a marine application? Could I adapt an engine from a Mini ie. 850, etc. or possibly an MGB engine for use in a boat? Probably not a project to be undertaken lightly but curiosity has me thinking. :smile:
Click to expand...

Coventry Climax used a variant of the FWA design in an outboard. The Amphicar used a Triumph Herald (Spit) engine.

As was said, I think they'd make a better anchor than engine today but... wouldn't an old wooden tub be cool with an Austin 7 flathead?
 
coldplugs said:
Silverghost said:
Does anyone have any information on using LBC engines in a marine application? Could I adapt an engine from a Mini ie. 850, etc. or possibly an MGB engine for use in a boat? Probably not a project to be undertaken lightly but curiosity has me thinking. :smile:
Click to expand...

Coventry Climax used a variant of the FWA design in an outboard. The Amphicar used a Triumph Herald (Spit) engine.

As was said, I think they'd make a better anchor than engine today but... wouldn't an old wooden tub be cool with an Austin 7 flathead?
Click to expand...

You're not far off the mark. :smile: I have access to a wood boat hull in decent shape that would make a good candidate for such a transplant.
 
There was a marine version of the Austin Seven engine. Long years ago I was a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy, and sailed on a ship whose motor lifeboat had such an engine.
See Here.
 
Ford Cortina engines were used by OMC -
Outboard Motor Company.I had one given to me (1500),
that had a "cradle" under it,plus a Rochester 2barrel-
carb w/spark arrestor,plus a heavy exhaust manifold.
I tried to find someone interested in the
accesories,but no takers.All I have left is the carb
& intake manifold.
They were also used in street sweepers,etc.

- Doug
 
Yeah....but no SU stuff....and the only photo of it in the water, it's parked and empty.
All the rest of the shots are on trailer or in garage.
Wonder why?
 
That boat looks to have a B series engine.

Marine-ised versions of engines usually had all aluminium parts replaced, due to the corrosive effect of salt water. Austins made cast-iron crankcases to replace the cast aluminium of the car, for example.

Hence no SU!
 
Interesting topic. I was curious & looked up the "boat" chapter in Donald Healey's book. His first production boat was the "Ski-Master". He built nearly 1000 of them - they were outboards mostly using American Scott-Atwater outboards.

He then made copies of an American boat and called it the "Healey Sprite".The boat shop was in a hanger where they'd built the 100S. He later built a "Sportsboat" using BMC B-series engines. It used twin SU's and was as used in the MGA.

Healey Marine built lots of other models and "one-offs". Some used a 2.6 liter Healey six, one had a jet drive with a Ford Zepher,, and others (called the "707") used a Healey 3000 engine with a jet drive. They even built a 707 with twin Jaguar engines for Sir William Lyons.

His comment on the whole thing - "I can not look back upon the Healey boats era with any great sense of pride, and I am not absolutely certain what it was that inspired me me to enter this particular field..."
 
The happiest two days in a boat owner's life is the day he buys it and the day he sells it.


A boat is a hole in the water you dump money into.

Imagine SU carbs and electric pumps IN a boat. Imagine the float bowl vent lines (or overflow tubes) dumping into the bilges. Imagine a point style SU fuel pump (all they had back then) sparking away.
Imagine everything above the waterline as floating matchsticks.
 
TOC said:
... Imagine the float bowl vent lines (or overflow tubes) dumping into the bilges. Imagine a point style SU fuel pump (all they had back then) sparking away...
Click to expand...

Good Lord! Hadn't thought of that. One ~other~ thing they had back then was gravity feed. Would have been prudent.
 
At one point in my life, I worked on boats. I finally smartened up, quit cold turkey one dark October day.
I see boats burned, blown up, sink, the fuel vapours in the bilges....turn on the ignition (because, being a smart fellow, you made sure the bilge ventilation fan was powered with ignition, so it would all go off when you pulled the key), but you forgot the SU pump was on the same circuit....and before you could turn around, you and the boat deck splinters are airborne arse over teakettle across the lake.
 
TOC, it seems I have touched a nerve and I am sorry for that. Cars and boats are a family "tradition" since at least 1925. I grew up with wood boats and British cars and have a great appreciation for both. My brother has a wood boat he will no longer be able to use and he offered it to me recently. He had discussed with me the idea of putting a TR engine in it. I would like to combine our joint passions by finishing the idea if it's feasible, although I was thinking a Mini engine or possibly an MGB engine might be better suited and more available. If it's possible, great, if not that's cool too.
 
All the photos show marine application carburettors. I've had cast iron carbs on boats. NONE vented inboard.

As long as you yank off the SU's, and remove all vents/drains from the bilges, meet all Coast Guard requirements for things like generators/alyernators (and don't ask me what the difference is....I just know some are "approved" at a whole lot more money, and some are not), make sue that LBC engine doesn't leak it's oil into the bilge for the bilge pump to expel into the waterway, keep a couple of big paddles/oars, and maybe a sail, you'll be fine!
 
Silverghost said:
TOC, it seems I have touched a nerve and I am sorry for that. Cars and boats are a family "tradition" since at least 1925. I grew up with wood boats and British cars and have a great appreciation for both. My brother has a wood boat he will no longer be able to use and he offered it to me recently. He had discussed with me the idea of putting a TR engine in it. I would like to combine our joint passions by finishing the idea if it's feasible, although I was thinking a Mini engine or possibly an MGB engine might be better suited and more available. If it's possible, great, if not that's cool too.
Click to expand...

I say go for it! Sanity was never a perquisite for LBC engines.
grin.gif
 
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