Barr Marine Cadillac flathead V8 - worth something or boat anchor?

[M Daly #19390]

Wondered if this is of any value?

[Smedly]

Is it seized? I am sure it has more value than a boat anchor. Is there a difference in the block from that to a car. or is it just the manifolds that are different? Might be some value in the boat world.

[35-709]

"Might be some value in the boat world."

Fer shur.  I would contact the ACBS (Antique and Classic Boat Society) ---
http://www.acbs.org/       315-686-2628    315 is an upstate New York area code.

That would seem to me to be a rather rare boat engine and just might be what someone restoring an antique boat would be interested in or want in a collection. 

[harry s]

Very neat item. It would be interesting to know what boats had that engine available. High end I bet.     Harry

[Bobby B]

Barr Marine by EDM was founded in 1933, manufacturing replacement exhaust manifolds and marinized conversions for Model "A" Ford, Pierce Arrow 6, Chrysler & Buick straight 8's as well as the V-16 Cadillac engine. Barr Marine by EDM, a pioneer in the marine engine component replacement field, was founded in 1933 by Horatio W. Barraclough, Sr. under the name Marine Salvage.  Today, Barr Marine by EDM is the last and only U.S. Manufacturers of inboard parts in the World and offers the largest selection of inboard parts available for immediate shipment.

If nothing else, remove the manifolds clean them up and paint them. Nice conversation piece in your shop. I know the Cadillac Flatties were big with street rodders, but didn't know they also crept into the boating crowd. Maybe some vintage boater would be interested. If the engine isn't seized or cracked, it can be salvaged. Why not do a VIN# check and see what year the block is from and go from there. Nevertheless, an interesting piece….
           Bob

[James Landi]

Aggressively pursue this as was suggested above with those in the antique boating world.  Cadillac conversions were big upgrades for Century mahogany speed boats, and many of these have been restored at great expense but LACK the original power plant.  Suggestion you also connect with the Cincinnati, Ohio Antique Boat Center as they perform major restorations for these expensive wood boats.  As mentioned, the Barr Industries made the water cooled exhaust manifolds-- this marine engine may be worth a bundle to an antique boat collector.

[Steve Passmore]

If its just an adapted flathead I cant see it being worth much to a boat restorer except for the adaption as they could use any old flathead for that with those parts. If its the standard car engine its worth more to flathead users. If its an early wartime Cadillac marine engine that would fall into a different category as I have seen one adapted for a car but I believe it took a fair bit of work to the castings.  I cant see one of these (wartime marine)engines being specifically fitted in any boats available as Cadillac went to great lengths to make sure they didn't get used after the war.  A boat owners upgrade?   possibly, but that would not be authentic to a boat restorer.  I think its worth more to us car guys myself.

[Bobby B]

Hey Steve,
  From what I've been reading, this company took just about every engine ever made and cast manifolds for marine use, so I have to assume it's just a regular flathead adapted for marine use with the manifolds.  Now, when can we start fighting over it? 
                                                                                                                          Bob
                                                                                                                                                         

[Steve Passmore]

We wont be fighting over this one Bob as I have 10 like it already but if I lived in the US I would fill a big shed with them