78 Correct Craft Southwind Engines

I just bought a 78 Correct Craft Southwind today and I am unsure of what motor it has in it. I believe it is a Chevy due to the placement of the distributor, but am not sure of displacement. Does anyone know what engines were offered for this boat? Also, The id plate next to the drivers seat states it is a southwind 20', but the decals say southwind 18'. Is this common? Thanks for your help.

Sam

Thanks! I figured it would be either a 302 or 350, but I am not seeing any other markings or ID plates on the engine to confirm displacement. Thanks for the welcome. I found it in western PA. It is in good shape with only minor wintertime repairs and was also the right price. I am excited to get this old girl out on the water and also do some restoration in the wintertime.

Pictures please!!!   Its not too often there is another Southwind thread here!

I have to agree with you guys. I think the Southwind is a very versatile and unique boat, but I may be biased:). Regarding engines, I think they may be underpowered with the 351's, especially if they are carrying any ballast (as in wet foam) and a full load of people/gear. I would love to try the open bow model with a 454 in it. I plan to put an ACME 542 on mine which will help the hole shot. With the deep V hull, the wakeboarding wake is also decent, but, the slalom wake is pretty rough on the kidneys.

Richard.....Correct Craft sure did put 454's in the Southwind Open Bow's, and possibly the 20. I was tracking an '82 Open Bow down in Missouri, but, it looks like it sold. I think that was a fairly rare option, but, they are out there.

Also, I found your comment interesting about the Regal with the CC nameplate. I had always heard that Correct Craft did that on one model back in the 80's. Which model are you referring to? I had always thought it was the '87-'89 Martinique, but, Ken Meloon told me last year at GL that the Martinique was a CC design and mfg by them as well. That model sure looks a lot like a Celebrity or Regal of the same vintage in my opinion.

Lastly, regarding the Cleveland engine, it was only built by Ford from '70-'74. Are you sure your engine was Cleveland? I would bet you a cold beer it was a Windsor. But, I have been wrong before

Yes, I'm the Sam who went to the boat show with Eric and Randy and I know a lot more about Chris Crafts than I do about Correct Crafts.

The 351 Cleveland in my 76 Southwind was a Commander with a leaking intake manifold. I bought an aluminum Edlebrock from Summit and found it to be too narrow for the space between the heads. Summit said it must be a Cleveland or at least a 302 with the boss heads. I contacted the previous owner who said he was told it was a Cleveland engine but couldn't supply any more information. The correct intake was more expensive so I got the original repaired, kept the boat a few months and sold it.

The Correct Craft/Regal I'm referring to would be the 20 ft. 87-89 Martinique/Riviera/Cuddy. I would doubt Correct Craft would admit to such shenanigans as it would open them up to lots of lawsuits from owners who thought they were buying Correct Crafts. I also once looked a 23 ft. Correct Craft that looked a lot like a Regal or a Wellcraft. It was a PCM straight inboard which Regal never made in that size and had Correct Craft nameplates, serial #'s and title.

Sam

Sam, there was more of a chance of it being a clevor (cleveland heads on a windsor block) than it being a cleveland.   Even then, something sounds off.


As far as a 351 being underpowered for a southwind, there is nothing saying it has to only be 240 hp. ;)

454s of that era only had like 330 hp.   Iknow pcm marinized 460s as well, but I have not seen a cc with one in it.

sam57 wrote: Yes, I'm the Sam who went to the boat show with Eric and Randy and I know a lot more about Chris Crafts than I do about Correct Crafts. Sam

Sam,
I've got the 2010 ACBS directory here at work and the current 2011 is at home. I don't see you listed in the 2010. If you haven't joined, you should think about it.

Any wood boats in your history?

most likely you have a 351 windsor ford engine....

I believe the Thermo-Electron became the Interceptor, and the Waukesha became PCM. Internally, I think all of the Fords were the same. Summit Racing sold a lot of them and called them industrial engines.

I've purchased parts for the boat that just don't fit when I try to install them. Any suggestions for good reliable sources any has found for purchasing parts would be greatly appreciated. I'm just beginning my rebuild. Thx for the input! Btw I'm psyched I found this forum!

sam57 wrote: I believe the Thermo-Electron became the Interceptor, and the Waukesha became PCM. Internally, I think all of the Fords were the same. Summit Racing sold a lot of them and called them industrial engines.

DrCC once elaborated on an earlier thread; as I recall Thermo-Electron bought Palmer and Crusader in the early 70's. Many marinizations of the basic Ford engines. Curious on the Interceptor history, in the 60's my father put an Interceptor 289 (I think) in his 50something Century Resorter.

My mistake, Eaton did become Interceptor and Thermo-Electron became Crusader. Once again, old age did me in.

Sam

PS. I've been working on my 1955 Chris Craft Sportsman over the winter
     and yesterday applied the sixth and final coat of varnish. Today,
     I paint the deck stripes and water line and start putting her back
     back together again.

I said Palmer was first then Thermo then Crusader.
But, when you're talking Crusader, there was about three diffferent companies tagged Crusader.
Palmer flagged Crusader
Cal Connell Crusader
Chris Craft Crusader
I think Reid has the timeline all figured out but reluctant to share.
I believe it was the Cal C. Crusader which evolved into the one we know as the Conqueor/Crusader.

Anyway, I kinda believe Sam about the Cleveland.
I have an article around here somewhere that basically talks about CC in 1974 produced only a handful of SN's powered with the 351 Cleveland. They stated that these would be the rarest of the rare, and also went on to say that these few were guaranteed 50 mph right off the showroom floor.

I would try to get your original starter rebuilt.