8hp Sea King

fishhook45

Recruit
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
4
i have been looking for a motor for my 1954-1958? 14' alumacraft model j and a freind has offered to give me a 8 hp sea king apparently in fine working order. would like to know what year this motor was manufactured (clinton or chrysler??), shaft length, and where i might find copy of owners manual. model # is VWB19076 and serial # is 46X12240. also, any ideas on how i might go about determining the age of my boat and it's worth? (super condition). thanks much.
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: 8hp Sea King

Try Vintage Alumacraft at://vintagealumacraft.tripod.com/ for boat info.<br /> I believe the motor is a Chrysler I cant tell you the year.But someone will be along with more info.If you are restoring the Alumacraft the motor isnt close to the right year but its hard to argue a free motor.That said I think the proper year Evinrude/Johnson would be a great match and believe it or not there will be more routine parts that are easier to find for the E/J motor.
 

tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: 8hp Sea King

I believe that the first two numbers of that serial number, reversed, will give you a year of 1964. The WB in the model number means it was a West Bend product and I think the V there indicates Chrysler? The guys at the antique outboard site would know for sure...www.aomci.org then go to the Ask A Member board. Sea Kings were and Evinrude/Johnson product at first, made by their Gale division. Sometime in the early 60's they were bought out by West Bend and then Chrysler. Good motors regardless of the manufacturer, keep it and run it.
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: 8hp Sea King

That's a 1964 8hp. By that time, it was Chrysler. You can measure the shaft yourself - follow this diagram:<br />
shaft_length_small.gif
<br /><br />Round down to the near 5" increment. Ie, 15" if it measures 18".
 

alcan

Commander
Joined
Dec 14, 2001
Messages
2,505
Re: 8hp Sea King

Hi Fishhook<br />Your motor is indeed a 1964 model. It was made by Chrysler marine div. Sea King was a Montgormery Ward Brand name. Sears and other retailers did the same thing bringing names such as Elgin,Gamefisher, ETC. Often these motors were built by the major companies, Mercury, OMC, Chrysler/West Bend Scott Atwater Etc. Some time around 1963-64 West Bend was bought up by Chrysler to form Chrysler Marine. It is true that OMC's Gail div produced motors for Montgomery Ward to sell under their Sea King banner in the 50's and early 60's. There was never a buy out between OMC, West Bend or Chrysler. Wards simply bought motors from the lowest bidder. The VWB in your model# may have something to do with west bend, I don't know. I sort of doubt it. All motors with model#s that start with VWB were Chrysler products. VWB was a Wards numbering system, they also had their own numbering system for parts as well. Even though they are the same parts as a motor wearing a Chrysler Banner the part#s are different. I suppose this was to encourage an owner to order parts thru Wards. The serial# digit swap doesn't mean anything as to dating Chrysler made SeaKings. It will work for OMC built units. You should be able to obtain most consumable parts thru your local Napa dealer. Their marine catolog may not date far enough back to cover your 1964 model but the parts may be the same as later models near the same HP. They didn't change much.
 

fishhook45

Recruit
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Messages
4
Re: 8hp Sea King

super fantastic. thanks for taking time to reply. great website. by the way, the boat is a 1954 model f, not j.
 
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