Hi, long time since last posting, but this is whats going on now: A Magnafluxed block, new pistons, gaskets etc + KL intake manifold and one Zenith carburator arrived to Finland. The KBL is now being rebuilt and converted to one carb KL. Thanks to Jim Staib for supplying all this. A brand new, tailo...

Guys, anyone having converted a KBL from intake water cooling to closed cooling? I have a 1949 C-C Riviera with KBL 131hp, and run it in salt water.
Engine now being rebuilt, and aim is to convert it, to make it run for another 70 years. All experience/hints, even parts, highly appreciated.

QUESTION ( and maybe a subject to a full new tread). Has anyone done a conversion from sea water to closed cooling system on a KBL engine?

Latest: Decided to, once more, rebuild the KBL: Reconditioned ( bored) block with OS pistons ordered. Will convert to CLOSED water cooling. Will convert to ONE CARBURATOR, to make it more user friendly. The job will be done over the coming winter, in Finland, to be ready for the 2023 boating season....

Thanks. Will try to make contact.
Btw, head just removed. Noticed that ALL pistons have been jammed at some stage. SLEEVES are still in good shape, thus either water cooling issues, or poor quality pistons/rings....

Since my last post, found out that a conversion of a single carb 95 hp ''K'' motor to 3 carb KBL 131 is not that simple/feasible at all. Dropped the idea. Will open the old KBL to see in what shape the pistons and cylinders ( sleeved) are. Probably have to find a ''new'' KBL compatible block to re-b...

Report after summer season 2022 from Finland. Valve and the 3 carbs adjustments fixed (sort of) the problem, to at least still have a few enjoyable runs. The KBL revvs nicely up to 3200 rpm, when the gear is NOT on - but once on, does idle nicely, but does not take revvs over 2400-2500 rpm. Thus, ju...

Well, time to take stock from the Tavares boat show weekend ( what a great one that was), ref to my KBL problem. A few strong old timer opinions directing to replace it with a bit more modern power. And just as many against, insisting on keeping the original KBL. An interesting point from Jim Staib:...

Valve lashes adjusted. New compression test done. Cylinders 2 and 4 show bypass leak. Diagnoses: The cylinders were honed/sleeved back in 2014, and new, original size pistons replaced. Noticed back then that the block is pretty badly rusted, and could not hone enough to get rid of all bad patches. T...

This KBL/Riviera one has one straight brass metal exhaust tube. The exhaust elbow had rusted through , and was changed recently. Will certainly check the condition. Valve lash settings NOT done recently. Will surely go through that exercise as well - hopefully can be done without lifting the engine ...

Anyone used ''Color Tune'' plugs to detect how each cylinder works? I'd assume that would reveal a lot. I know this is not a ''classifieds'' section, but if anyone happens to have a set of six plugs, and would not need them anymore, I'm a buyer. I shall be in Tavares Sunnyland boat festival end Marc...

Thanks Mark. Pertronix. Changed the ''Ignitor'' and rotator. Got a new Coil. ( realized that I had an incorrect Ohm coil in the first place, not for a 6 cyl engine). Changed all plugs + wires. No cure.

Thanks for the comments Bilge Rat. Yup, compression test done - all cylinders seem to be in good shape. The slight problem is that the boat and the motor, are in Finland - thus I need to try to work on this on my own, and with a little help from my friend on-the-know there. Sending the carbs for rec...

Dear fellow boaters. Having gone through the posts in this forum ( very useful), I did not find a thread to this one. I have a 1949 CC Riviera 18'with original, but a few time reconditioned KBL. I had the cylinders sleeved to original size pistons 3 years back. Reconditioned the Zenith carbs, change...

Coming back to subject sea water/fresh water cooling. ( sorry for the incorrect subject heading). I discussed the proposal from the earlier thread to convert a KBL from sea water cooling in fresh water.The outcome is, that for a 18'(Riviera) the engine bay might be a bit tight for all the extra equi...

Thanks for the advice. Will certainly try to do this conversion, especially now when the KBL is going through a major renovation. ( cylinder sleeving, new pistons etc.).

Thanks guys for all the sound advice. I'll go for Melling sleeves. Exact size still to be determined but probably it'll be CSL152 ID 3.4375 OD 3.628 LENGTH 7.500. The pistons will also be changed, back to standard size 3 7/16. Thus, 'taking a peek'' into the KBL ended up to be a major renovation. Wi...

Right-o. Sleeving thus will be done. Melling HP. What size 1/16 or 3/16''. Whatabout the OUTER Dia?

WOW - What a great response thread from you guys. These are very helpful for me. BUT - can anyway shed light on what my mechanic is commenting: ''Sleeving not recommended since the cylinder head (naturally) is round shaped - but the gasket hole is OVAL. The head will never be tight enough on sleeved...

Dear boating colleagues. I did not find this topic on the threats, thus decided to open a new one. Please do excuse me in case subject has been covered previously. I bought a 1949 built C-C Riviera #178 with original Hercules KBL 131 hp this summer. It was imported to Finland. (you can find her on t...

Hi there, as a new owner (first time) of a classic Chris-Craft ( Riviera R-18, Hull 178) , and a new member of your exclusive club, I have tried to search through the blogs if this topic has already been covered. Of not, advice from the connoisseurs would be appreciated. Can anyone comment whether i...