All about the CC 283, a research project

[Don Ayers]

Your Brass Bell research staff wants to put out a challenge to all our gear heads in Buzz Land!

This thread is a research challenge on the complete history of the Chris Craft 283 motor from introduction to last produced.

We want to collect every bit of knowledge about the configuration and variations of this iconic motor and its production run.

Here is the challenge; this thread cannot be about what you think you know but rather only what you can prove.

TO POST ON THIS THREAD WITH 283 INFORMATION YOU MUST PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION AND ATTACH. THIS HAS TO BE ALL ABOUT FACTS.


Basic thoughts/questions to start;

When did CC introduce the 283 and in what boats?
How were the original engines configured?
When were hydraulic transmissions introduced?
When did they switch from a genny to an alt?
When did they bring out the low rise manifold?
Were some of the manifolds made of aluminum?
When did they use Carter carbs vs 4 jet Rochester
What about oil filters?
What was the first serial number and what was the last?

There are a hundred questions like this.

All right you gear heads let's see what you got!!

[mfine]

I have a bunch of docs I can photograph, not sure I can scan them until next week.

One is an announcement of the new low profile manifold and carb which was the Rochester 4jet. It was hand dated, and mostly off the page, by the mariners museum as 1961, but I am not sure that counts as proof. Also this carb and manifold were advertised as an option, not a production change.

I also have weights of the various gear options, power curve and other data. This is all for the late 50's to early 60's variants, not the later F's. I'll try to post some later tonight after the offspring are in bed.

[mfine]

This is what I have dated 1958/59. I assume these materials are from the calendar year 58 but may be for model year 1959. I hope these are legible enough, if not I can try to scan PDF's next week.

Note that the hydraulic transmission was an option from the get go.









This is another brochure













And this one is dated November 1958

[mfine]

This is the introduction to the low profile Rochester 4jet and manifold, hand dated 1961 (I believe)

[mfine]

Undated materials with performance specs, dimensions and weights.

[Don Ayers]

A fantastic start. Thanks for your contribution.

Looking forward to seeing what gets posted next

Regards

[jleiii]

It's been some time since I've posted, but one area I've spent a lot of time on is the 283, while restoring my 1962 28' Constellation. My engines were long gone, so I had to learn what they were from scratch.
In the process of this research (general 1962 research as well) I was able to buy a binder of 1962 correspondence and sales data for 1962.
I'm not attaching anything yet, as it could be many pages, here are a few tidbits to start:

Jan 10, 1962 announcement for the 16' Jet Boat: "...selected the Buehler Turbo drive unit powered by Chris*Craft's own 185 horsepower V8 marine engine"

March 29, 1962 28' Constellation availability (listed by engine):
Single Screw V8 engine June 1
Twin Screw 100 June 1
Twin Screw 185 Manual April 10
Twin Screw 185 Hydraulic June 1

March 29 1962, Letter to Customer:
"A recent change by Chris*Craft on the 283 engine lists the alternator as standard equipment on all engines."
(the 1962 283's I found came with generators)

April 4 1962 Letter from Cavalier Sales Manager:
"The 283 engine equipped with a 40 AMP alternator is being worked into our boat program gradually as these engines become available."
This was in response to a dealer inquiry several weeks earlier clarifying the Bulletin P93 1-15-62.

Jan 10 1962 Cavalier Sales bulletin:
Single 185 HP V8 with manual or hydraulic reduction
dual 185 HP V8 with manual or hydraulic

Dec 21 1961 Sea Skiff Sales bulletin, Accessories:
Alternator, 12V, 60A amp w/2-6V batteries - 185 HP engine, $265.00

1962 Sea Skiff Price Schedule lists both the 185 in manual and hydraulic

1962 (Jan 10 eff) Marine Engine Price Schedule:
8 283 models, direct drive, R15, R20 and R25 in manual and hydraulic versions.

Yachting 1962 ad:
"This is the Chris-Craft 185-hp V-8, Model 283. There are over twenty-two thousand of them in use throughout the world..."

undated brochure on the 283:
12-Volt 40-Amp. Alternator-Generator (std equipment)
manual transmission in dimensioned drawings

Another as above but mentions hydraulic trans.

Aug 1 1960 283 Operators Manual:
Full height intake manifold pictured, hydraulic and manual gears, generator.

Oct 1 1963 283 Operators Manual:
Low rise intake manifold pictured, hydraulic (HF-2 & HF-7) and manual gears (first reference to 283M with 2bbl vs 283 with 4bbl I've noticed), alternator and generator mentioned.

? date 283 Operators Manual (Mariners Museum copy, 1 page has 1967 drawing):
283 (4bbl), 283M (2bbl), low rise manifold, alternator & generator, manual and hydraulic gears referenced.
First time I saw reference to Carter 4bbl.
Only place I've see the opposite rotation referred to as 283L, but contradicts later page where the port engine is "formerly marked O now marked R" and the stbd engine is "formerly marked S now marked L".

From my research, although not documented:

First 4 bbl carbs were Rochester 4GC (not Q-jet!), and the Carter came later. The Q-jet replaced the 4GC some time after 1962.
My 1962 intakes are low rise aluminum.
All started with the Can Type oil filter, and at some point the spin one adapter was used, but may not have been stock (ie from car sources).


John

[Don Ayers]

Fantastic Post John!!!!

Thank you so much. Do you mind if I post it on the Riva Forum as well?

regards

PS. 22,000...wow

[jleiii]

Fantastic Post John!!!!

Thank you so much. Do you mind if I post it on the Riva Forum as well?

regards

PS. 22,000...wow

Post away!

I can provide scans of specific items if desired, or all if appropriate.
Several letters are signed by Chris*Craft sales managers and other CC managers, although most are printed copies.
One letter is even from a WV prisoner inquiring about kit boats!

John

[Don Ayers]

Thanks John.

My most basic question is what was the serial number series??

I've never seen anyone answer that.

[Mark Christensen]

Don there is a good Wikipedia entry on these small blocks. Even though it's not focused on the marinized 283s they still talk quite a bit about the development of this block and it's pretty interesting. I'd love to know more as well because my skiff has twin 283s.

[mfine]

John,

I would love a scan of anything that mentions the ski-jet and especially anything on the 283b engine in the ski-jet.

Also, I believe the first carbs were Carter WCFB's with the Rochester 4jet (4GC) appearing in 1961/62 as an option. The Rochester Quadrajet was definitely not used by CC in the early 60's because it was not available until at least 1966. It first appeared on limited chevy models in 1965 and I believe it was several years before marine versions were available.

[jleiii]

John,

I would love a scan of anything that mentions the ski-jet and especially anything on the 283b engine in the ski-jet.

I have the following original documents. Nothing beyond casual mention of the 283.

2 sided brochure "Chris*Craft presents the 16' Ski Boat for 1962", second without "for 1962"

2 page, 4 sides, "Chris*Craft 16' SKI JET Speed * Safety * Maneuverability * Luxury" with a cut away of the jet drive

1/2 page size, single sided brochure

Letter dated Jan 10 1962 announcing the 16' Jet Boat

Sales letter, CC 62-5, dated Feb 7 1962, 2 pages, announcing that dealers need to get their orders in now. Signed (form letter) by WJ Grundlach.

Sales Letter, CC62-8, dated April 11 1962, Announcing a new stern seat arrangement, and pricing.

Sales Letter, CC 62-9, dated April 17 1962, announcing the Ski Jet leads the fleet to a "summer full of fun". Signed (form letter) by CV High.

John

[mfine]

I think I have the second one, but none of the others. Are you willing to sell? If not can you scan them to PDF?

Thanks!

[mfine]

This is the one I have.

http://www.m-fine.com/Chris-Craft/1963-Brochure.pdf

Sorry for the thread hijack

[jim g]

Here are a couple of pictures of a 283M. What I call the detuned 283. 2 barrel intake and carb to lower the horsepower everything else with the engine is the same as the 185 hp engine. Engine came out of a plywood caviler.

[57 Sport]

I found this little gem out there on the net

http://www.sea-way.com/283ccweb.pdf

It has all the part numbers specs and ]part diagrams with part numbers.