Classic Nautiques

I own a 1966 Ski Nautique with the Chrysler 318 c.i engine, 210 hp. hull number 1405. Does anyone else own a Nautique, say 1966thru 1970 with the Chrysler engine? Or, if you replaced this engine with another, did you keep the Chrysler somewhere and is it for sale?

Bill,
Welcome to CCfan. You have found the absolute best site for helping you with 66 SN.

Yes, pictures are real important for all of our members to help.

You can utilize the sight search feature to get a better idea of what others have done - there are several threads on your hull/engine.

Yes, keep it original. It will pay back in the long run. As a ACBS member/judge, I will tell you a repower is NOT a good option. Rebuild the old.

Make sure you get some pictures and text submitted for the diary section. A 66 is a classic and it should be in that section.

Do some site exploring - There's lots of info available.

Gary S.
In 2010, I found that the engine oil had water in it. It had not run that way very long, maybe 2 or 3 hours as I check the oil before every outing. To make a long story short, I had the engine repaired and it ran good for the 2011 and 2012 waterski season. At the end of the 2012 season (Nov 7th) I took an oil sample to Empire Equipment for an analysis. The report said that the oil had excessively high chrome, iron, and lead. Meaning to me that something is not receiving enough lubrication and is breaking down. Right now, I am thinking of having the engine pulled by US Engines in Kent,Wn or S& J Engines in Spokane,Wn sometime in the early Spring. Although it had good power, the oil analysis was not good. I would rather have the engine teardown accomplished than run it until something very serious happens. The date on the block is 6/12/65. It is way different than a car 318. It has a cast iron pan (8qt) and timing chain cover. It uses solid lifters and solid intake and exhaust valves. Engine serial number is 92887, model number M318BWR-10.

4mor, I have used a machine shop in federal way called honest performance .   I really liked their service and small business feel.   If you want more details, shoot me a pm.... We can't be that far apart....

She's a poly! Maybe its simply worn out is there an hour meter? It's an old girl and has probably provided many many hours of operation to that boat.

A second opinion on the oil sample used by Empire Equipment is no longer available. The engine oil has all been pulled and discarded. The boat and engine has been winterized and is in dry storage, Thanks, Keep in touch.

Bill,
What oil are you using? There are plenty of threads regarding oil but you need plenty of ZDDP for the old flat tappet engines. I happen to like Valvoine VR1 20-50.

that's great. Even looks like the same carburetor; a AFB3213S. Is that a Jabsco dual impeller pump on it?

The above pic is of my installation,same vintage,however locally built in South Africa.It was pulled of a late 60s Nautique mould,see pics on a previous post.The installation is a Chrysler 383,ran beautifully.unfortunately it seized up,and Im now in the process of replacing it with a 390 Ford.I had a 318 in a previous boat,was very happy with it.My advice would also be to rather fix what you have than repower.Think about different bellhousing,starter,manifolds,plumbing and mounts,trust me,it goes with a lot of head scratching.

After the engine was put back together in the Winter of 2010 (the heads had been pulled, the left was found to have a crack in it so other heads were found and rebuilt and reinstalled) the only oil that has been used since then is Valvoline 10W-30 synthetic blend. What do you think ? What is ZDDP?

Check out the forum yhread with the topic

looking for 1965 Chrysler exhaust manifold elbow


This one has a discussion on the poly engine

Proper Link

Welcome, Bill. CCF is the best site that I have found for anything CC. As for your 318, I concur with others: rebuild what you have. You should be able to find a reputable machine shop that will help keep your 318 intact. Is it a right hand rotation? (standard for marine use) If so, you might try having Lunati in Memphis, TN helping you with a cam grind. They are familiar with Chrysler Marine engines. Also check out Hurrikain Marine (www.hurrikain.com). Dave Kain is my go to guy for Chrysler inboards.

Thanks for the info. When looking at the front of the engine as it is running the belt is turning counter clock wise. I've been told that this is "reverse" rotation.

Bill, post some pictures of your boat for us, sounds like a beauty. Not too many around that can say they had it that long! After you read the wikipedia entry you'll say yep thats what happened-
"The main use of ZDDP is in anti-wear additives to lubricants such as greases, gear oils, and motor oils, which often contain less than 1% of this additive. It has been reported that zinc and phosphorus emissions may damage catalytic converters and standard formulations of lubricating oils for gasoline engines now have reduced amounts of the additive, though diesel engine oils remain at higher levels.[3] Crankcase oils with reduced ZDDP have been cited as causing damage to, or failure of, classic/collector car flat tappet camshafts and lifters which undergo very high boundary layer pressures and/or shear forces at their contact faces, and in other regions such as big-end/main bearings, and piston rings and pins. Roller camshafts are more commonly used to reduce camshaft lobe friction in modern engines. There are additives, such as STP(R) Oil Treatment, and some racing oils such as Valvoline VR-1,[4] are available in the retail market with the necessary amount of ZDDP for engines using increased valve spring pressures. See "external links" in this article. The same ZDDP compounds serve also as corrosion inhibitors and antioxidants".
Valvoline VR1 is what most use here,it's easy to get,and sometimes on sale at auto stores.