1964 Crusader Marine 409 - Timing Marks?

[Soundcraft]

Hello,
I have an old Crusader 409 marine engine that I am doing a tune-up on. The engine is installed in a boat backwards, with the flywheel toward the front (bow) of the boat. What is normally the front of the engine in an automotive application is covered by a large Crusader casting so the damper is hidden. Does anyone know how to accurately find TDC without tearing it apart? Is these a timing mark hidden somewhere that I haven't found?
Thanks for your help!!

 

[La Hot Rods]

If you put a piston stop in the #1 spark plug hole you can find TDC and mark the flywheel.

 

[Don Jacks]

You can use the stop on either number 1 or number 6 cylinder and as James said,mark the flywheel for TDC.

 

[Soundcraft]

Thanks gentlemen!

 

[DonSSDD]

Neat motor, what’s it in?

 

[Soundcraft]

Hey Don,
Sorry for the slow response...I missed your question! It is in a 1964 Nordlund Soundcraft. Built in Tacoma, Washington by Norm Nordlund and my father-in-law, Walt Silva. I did find the timing mark hidden under the forward heat exchanger. There is a small 2"x 2" view port in the Crusader casting where you can see the top of the flywheel and the dimple for timing purposes. It took a mirror on a stick and a flashlight to find it.

 

[Soundcraft]

Here is a picture of the old girl

 

[Iowa 409 Guy]

Spiffy

 

[Soundcraft]

Hey 409 lovers...unfortunately it is time to sell the 1963 marine 409 engine out of my cruiser. It was a "Crusader Marine" conversion, rated at 280 hp. My understanding is that this is the "industrial" engine version of the 409. It is a standard left hand rotation that ran perfect up to a couple months ago when it started hard and upon a compression check, discovered water in the #2 hole. I pulled the heads and found a scored cylinder wall probably due to the wrist pin. Not sure if water was from the scored wall or a blown head gasket. I am going to have it tanked and magnafluxed, but assume it will need a sleeve in #2 in any case. Before the issue, compression readings were within 8 lbs across all 8 cylinders. Only burned about 1 qt of oil in the last 50 hours of service. I think it is in overall great condition and am wondering if you guys can fill me in on what it might be worth? I know it's desirable, but have no idea of its value. Thanks for any guidance you might be able to offer.

 

[DonSSDD]

Was the cooling via anti freeze or was it ever cooled via salt water?

would also help to know what the casting number is from the back of the block plus the date code and same for the heads.

 

[Soundcraft]

It has been closed cooling for at least 25 years, but not sure prior to that. I am having the machinist check that as well. the heads are #3815643 which should be truck/industrial heads. I'll check for the block number today.

 

[Soundcraft]

I am also having the heads tanked and checked for cracks.

 

[Soundcraft]

Hey all, the block number is 3788068 and the heads are 3815643. I haven't torn it down yet but the visible water passages in the block to head mating surface appear super clean. No oysters growing in them!! This Crusader Marine engine is also complete with the Crusader front and rear castings and motor mounts.

 

[chevytaylor]

1962 block, 1958-62 348-409 low port heads

 

[409gang]

If you have the heads off can you take and post a picture of the top of any one of the cylinders, wondering if the cylinders have the notch cut into them like a truck engine.

 

[Soundcraft]

Fresh out of the boat. Photos show the "Crusader" front and rear castings/motor mounts. The Borg Warner straight drive trans and 2:1 reduction gear, old school alternator, and a close up of the cylinders. It also appears to have a cast oil pan...super heavy duty rectangular piece. FYI, the trans is bolted to, and driven off the front which is why you see the flywheel exposed at the rear.

 

[DonSSDD]

Phil, you could get around oak island pretty quick with that thing attached to a boat. Send money and this hunk and we’ll get it ready for you. I like mahogany myself, at least 10 coats. You’d have to wear Pat’s slippers on it though.