Conversion to boat engine
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Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2018
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From: curacao
Conversion to boat engine
Hi I'm Peter I live in Curacao and as a hobby I build boats, the latest project I'm working on is a 15' 1930's Bruce Crandall FLYER, I like to power this little boat with a Harley engine cause I like the sound of it.
Knowing nothing about Harley Davidson bikes brought me to this forum, obvious I'm searching the net for a good salvage bike but what model bike should I look for? I need a liquid cooled engine around 150 HP or at least above 100 HP, what Harley models carry those? I'm planning to use it with a heat exchanger a extra raw water pump and a marine F-N-R gear box like for example a velvet drive
I'm also not sure turning the engine 90 degrees toward driving direction would cause problems with the oil pan and supply? so all tips and tricks are more than welcome also other things a should be aware of.
Thank you for your time
Peter
Knowing nothing about Harley Davidson bikes brought me to this forum, obvious I'm searching the net for a good salvage bike but what model bike should I look for? I need a liquid cooled engine around 150 HP or at least above 100 HP, what Harley models carry those? I'm planning to use it with a heat exchanger a extra raw water pump and a marine F-N-R gear box like for example a velvet drive
I'm also not sure turning the engine 90 degrees toward driving direction would cause problems with the oil pan and supply? so all tips and tricks are more than welcome also other things a should be aware of.
Thank you for your time
Peter
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Joined: Aug 2008
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you definitely need a big twin engine without the tranny. finding a stocker from hd is not happening, you will need to build that power level.
although rpm is needed, not necessarily so with the right gearing and power. the issue i see is the hd engine will prove to be a wrong choice because they are mid rpm cruisers and will not last cranked up which a boat engine will be doing. now if you are doing a slow moving party barge and keep it around 5k then you are talking.
i once thought about one in an ultra-lite tri-axis but then if she went one lung, a world of hurt.
they are hard to find but a very good engine would be the old VW diesel found in the old rabbits, high rev'ing and good match for a velvet drive.
although rpm is needed, not necessarily so with the right gearing and power. the issue i see is the hd engine will prove to be a wrong choice because they are mid rpm cruisers and will not last cranked up which a boat engine will be doing. now if you are doing a slow moving party barge and keep it around 5k then you are talking.
i once thought about one in an ultra-lite tri-axis but then if she went one lung, a world of hurt.
they are hard to find but a very good engine would be the old VW diesel found in the old rabbits, high rev'ing and good match for a velvet drive.
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From: poway
You only chance is the Vrod motor. It's the only one HD makes that is water cooled. Some later model big twins are partially liquid cooled but they also require air cooling. The Vrod doesn't sound like the typical HD though.
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Stage IV
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From: curacao
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Stage IV
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From: curacao
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From: Dubuque iowa
Swamp type boats have been using the hd v twin for years perfect choice only trouble i see is coupling with correct transmision for application but really two three or four inlines would serve the purpose very well
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: Centerville, ohio
Boats usually have a max rpm like 4500 with cruising around 3k. Velvet drive makes a 1.1 drive and I suspect a custom bell housing would be needed. I think 90 hp should push a 15' boat to warp speed. With the hull being enclosed a few vents would be needed with maybe a fan assist. A custom oil sump heat exchanger with water cooling may keep it cool enough.
That is an awesome project, great job.
That is an awesome project, great job.
Last edited by lt1-xjs; Jan 16, 2018 at 02:04 PM.