The 534 MEL as converted for marine use by Seamaster
Posted: Tue 20. Jan 2009, 02:49
Hello there Theo,
It's been a while and I hope you're doing well. My Chris Craft Commander forum is still up and running well, and we've received a lot more info on the MEL marine motors, and I'd like to share it all here. I'll be posting stuff as we find more of it, and will post links to it as well, if this is acceptable to the terms here, etc. As always, the intent is to share info and have fun, as I'm not selling anything. People interested in classic Chris Craft Commander boats are welcome to visit my forum, link below at signature, and naturally I'll post your new forum link there, because there are still a few MEL motors out there in classic boats, and they are something to behold visually and the sounds they make are awesome too.
Here is a cool posting to start with, one is the largest version of the MEL motor, which is the 534 super duty truck motor, as converted for marine use by Seamaster. I think they could have called their company "Seamonster".
The 534 Seamaster conversions were offered in many large gas powered cruisers, including Egg Harbor and Hatteras, just to name a few. Here is a little history on how the "Seamaster" name disappeared (the company was purchased by OSCO) !!
The SEAMASTER 534 engines are still out there in lots of boats, as I don't think they're very easily worn out. I suspect they'll last as long or longer than the wood hulls they were installed in. I think Chris Craft would install an owner specified motor in their boats if the owner required this at the time the order was placed. I know of One (1) Chris Craft Commander powered by a pair of 534 SEAMASTER's. It would be very interesting to know the circumstances as to how many of these were done, etc.
Here's the history on the OSCO connection:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The name “OSCO” is derived from the OSCAR SMITH COMPANY. Oscar Smith was the grandfather of Robertson F. Smith who actually started the company. History has it that Oscar loaned the seed money to Robertson, so Robertson named the company after him. The current owner, Tom Cooper, has worked for OSCO since 1965, and purchased the company in 1995.
In addition to the original marine engines, which were based on Model A Ford 4 and 8 cylinder engines, OSCO sold conversion kits, which provided the marine parts for a customer to convert his own engine obtained from a car or truck. During the 1970’s a full range of conversion kits was offered, covering every commonly available American car block, and several industrial diesels.
During their developing years, OSCO was called upon to make production marine parts for many familiar marine engine companies such as Glastron, Johnson and Towers, Holman & Moody, American Diesel, Nor’east Ford, Commander Marine, KAAMA, Universal Motors, ONAN, Kohler, KEM Equipment, GM Overseas Operations, and others. At the same time OSCO produced and offered for sale a marine engine line, gas and diesel, from 14 to 180 HP. OSCO Marine engines were used by Pacemaker, US Coast Guard, Wayfarer, Newporter, Pearson, Columbia, Chris Craft, in addition to thousands of individual re-power installations by boat owners.
While busy enough with the above production, OSCO also manufactured an extensive line of hydraulic powered fishing deck machinery such as crab and lobster trap haulers, net takers, capstans and almost anything fishing related that could be turned hydraulically.
In the late 1960’s, OSCO purchased the SEAMASTER Marine Engine Co. and added to their existing product line a Seamaster "300" six cylinder gasoline engine, and two V8 gasoline models based on the 534 cu. In. Ford industrial engine. The most powerful Seamaster model boasted twin turbo chargers and inter-cooling way back in the early 1970’s.
Due to difficulties in obtaining base engines, OSCO discontinued their engine product line in 1983 and began the production of after-market manifolds in earnest.
Switching from earlier conversion type manifolds to after-market style manifolds required virtually all-new tooling. From the mid 1980’s OSCO’s in-house pattern shop facility has built the required patterns, and working with only the best American foundries continues to produce large volumes of marine manifolds and risers that have become the quality standard of the industry for the broadest range of Original Equipment Engines.
In 1990, OSCO began marketing their product to the large volume marine distributors, and today is recognized as the leader in quality, 100% built in the USA, manifolds, risers and accessory parts. OSCO manifolds and parts are available throughout the boating world through distributors, local marinas, marine engine repair shops, and the Internet.
Regards, all the best from Nashville, Tennessee
Paul
http://www.ChrisCraftCommander.com
It's been a while and I hope you're doing well. My Chris Craft Commander forum is still up and running well, and we've received a lot more info on the MEL marine motors, and I'd like to share it all here. I'll be posting stuff as we find more of it, and will post links to it as well, if this is acceptable to the terms here, etc. As always, the intent is to share info and have fun, as I'm not selling anything. People interested in classic Chris Craft Commander boats are welcome to visit my forum, link below at signature, and naturally I'll post your new forum link there, because there are still a few MEL motors out there in classic boats, and they are something to behold visually and the sounds they make are awesome too.
Here is a cool posting to start with, one is the largest version of the MEL motor, which is the 534 super duty truck motor, as converted for marine use by Seamaster. I think they could have called their company "Seamonster".
The SEAMASTER 534 engines are still out there in lots of boats, as I don't think they're very easily worn out. I suspect they'll last as long or longer than the wood hulls they were installed in. I think Chris Craft would install an owner specified motor in their boats if the owner required this at the time the order was placed. I know of One (1) Chris Craft Commander powered by a pair of 534 SEAMASTER's. It would be very interesting to know the circumstances as to how many of these were done, etc.
Here's the history on the OSCO connection:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The name “OSCO” is derived from the OSCAR SMITH COMPANY. Oscar Smith was the grandfather of Robertson F. Smith who actually started the company. History has it that Oscar loaned the seed money to Robertson, so Robertson named the company after him. The current owner, Tom Cooper, has worked for OSCO since 1965, and purchased the company in 1995.
In addition to the original marine engines, which were based on Model A Ford 4 and 8 cylinder engines, OSCO sold conversion kits, which provided the marine parts for a customer to convert his own engine obtained from a car or truck. During the 1970’s a full range of conversion kits was offered, covering every commonly available American car block, and several industrial diesels.
During their developing years, OSCO was called upon to make production marine parts for many familiar marine engine companies such as Glastron, Johnson and Towers, Holman & Moody, American Diesel, Nor’east Ford, Commander Marine, KAAMA, Universal Motors, ONAN, Kohler, KEM Equipment, GM Overseas Operations, and others. At the same time OSCO produced and offered for sale a marine engine line, gas and diesel, from 14 to 180 HP. OSCO Marine engines were used by Pacemaker, US Coast Guard, Wayfarer, Newporter, Pearson, Columbia, Chris Craft, in addition to thousands of individual re-power installations by boat owners.
While busy enough with the above production, OSCO also manufactured an extensive line of hydraulic powered fishing deck machinery such as crab and lobster trap haulers, net takers, capstans and almost anything fishing related that could be turned hydraulically.
In the late 1960’s, OSCO purchased the SEAMASTER Marine Engine Co. and added to their existing product line a Seamaster "300" six cylinder gasoline engine, and two V8 gasoline models based on the 534 cu. In. Ford industrial engine. The most powerful Seamaster model boasted twin turbo chargers and inter-cooling way back in the early 1970’s.
Due to difficulties in obtaining base engines, OSCO discontinued their engine product line in 1983 and began the production of after-market manifolds in earnest.
Switching from earlier conversion type manifolds to after-market style manifolds required virtually all-new tooling. From the mid 1980’s OSCO’s in-house pattern shop facility has built the required patterns, and working with only the best American foundries continues to produce large volumes of marine manifolds and risers that have become the quality standard of the industry for the broadest range of Original Equipment Engines.
In 1990, OSCO began marketing their product to the large volume marine distributors, and today is recognized as the leader in quality, 100% built in the USA, manifolds, risers and accessory parts. OSCO manifolds and parts are available throughout the boating world through distributors, local marinas, marine engine repair shops, and the Internet.
Regards, all the best from Nashville, Tennessee
Paul
http://www.ChrisCraftCommander.com
