Interesting adaptation of the Coventry Climax car engine.
Fisher Pierce was the parent company of the Boston Whaler, they had seen the benefits of a four stroke outboard and acquired a 55 hp engine that Homelite had been developing from the old lightweight Crosley engine. That idea wasn't new, various individuals and companies had been working on adapting that 44 cu in 4 cylinder auto engine to marine use, more here.
The 55 horsepower engine was fine for the 16 foot Whaler but they needed more power for the 21 foot hull they were introducing in the late 1960s. Fisher Pierce starting searching for a larger 4-stroke power head to adapt to marine outboard use. In 1970 they introduced the 85-HP 4-stroke outboard shown here, based on a vertically oriented Coventry Climax automotive block. From exploring several forums it appears the development program needed more time, there were various reliability issues and unfortunately, this engine was only in production for 2 years.
6 comments:
"Bearcat": a name to conjure with.
I don't know what to make of that engine stand. Part looks fine, the other part looks like it escaped from a patio chair.
I notice the 90-degree oil filler neck. I can't find anything online that says they used a dry-sump so there must be a pickup tube that runs down to the bottom of the crankcase.
Filler neck is so low, there can’t be more than a quart or two in the crankcase. I did not see an oil tank. Ideally every time I see things like this, I should buy it just to study over the next year. Not a lot of info on the 85, the 55 is much more common.
These engines were commonly fitted to portable water pumps used by the fire brigades.
What are your plans for that engine? I'd love to have it.
They have the same middle leg as the Bearcat 55, which holds 2 quarts.
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