Westbend 80hp

[crazy_s_dime]

Hello guys, I am looking for some info on a Westbend 80hp Model 80471 serial 1579. I apologize if this is the wrong area of the forum. I bought a 1964 Crownline cabin cruiser and this was the motor on it. Everything looks to be intact. I have since Cleaned both carbs and removed all of the dirt/junk that was undernead the cover. Wiring looks to be all intact, with a little bit of rigging here and there. I have turned it over with a battery to check the start, and it works, I have not added gas yet because I needed to get a new keystart and hopefully a wiring diagram that showed the colored outputs on the engine wiring block. I did not see this model listed under the iboats Westbend section, but I hope someone knows something about it. I think it will run, but we will see. Any help would be great, thank you. here are some pics of the engine/boat.

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Westbend 80hp

I think you have a rare one there! West Bend was the original manufacturer that Chrysler bought in the early 1960s. They primarily made smaller engines but I have seen references to a five foot tall 80 and 85 horse engine.

You can probably get much more info if you go over to The chrysler Crew (Chrysler marine website) and ask Franz.

BTW: It seems that I am seeing more and more hard-top Aristo-craft type boats being restored and your crownline looks very much like one. While you may not be able to retire, I suspect that the boat and engine combo will be worth more than you will spend to restore it.

 

[F_R]

Re: Westbend 80hp

This is the wrong year, but it might be of some help. On the other hand, it may cause confusion. Use at your own risk.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s311/frankr_photos/Wiring196180hpWestBend.jpg

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Westbend 80hp

This is the wrong year, but it might be of some help. On the other hand, it may cause confusion. Use at your own risk.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s311/frankr_photos/Wiring196180hpWestBend.jpg

Why does that diagram show a positive ground?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Westbend 80hp

In early years, it was common for autos to have positive ground systems. I suspect the designers simply went with what they knew.

However: I don't remember the exact reason, I think it has something to do with electron flow, but I have read the engineering reason against positive grounding.

Negative ground is the preferred system and that is why it is the ONLY electrical ignition scheme used today and almost universally used in all other electrial devices and systems.

Interesting engine--no distributor, four coils, probably fired by four point sets under the flywheel. And I'll bet it has four condensers too.

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

I havent been able to find ANY information on this boat, let alone the Engine. I do plan on restoring the boat as well. I cant wait till spring break rolls around so I have some time to get started. I have already replaced the transom, and gutted the inside of the boat. All of the rotten wood is out, including what part of the floor that was rotten. Its all just replacing/building from here. And I still need to get that engine running. Thanks for the posts.

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

Well, last wednesday I was able to get the floor put back in it. I also changed/set the points, cleaned up all of the wiring, replaced all spark plugs, replaced all fuel lines, and just cleaned things up. Today I hooked up the fuel and new key switch, after about an hour of tinkering/checking spark and a few other things, it started, and ran really well to my surprise. The sticker on the side of the boat says 1997, so its been at least since then that it has been started. The engine was really stiff so I took all of the plugs out and gave eat cylinder a couple squirts of WD-40 and that helped quite a bit. She smoked BAD for the first minute or so of running(cleaning out the head and such) and then it cleared up. the water pump impeller seems to be working because its not overheating and the stream up water coming out the exhaust while running is pretty hot. I shut it off multiple times and restarted it, and every time it started without hesitation, so I am very pleased. Last I remember these west bend's were supposed to be running a 50:1 mix, but anyone please correct me if I am wrong, I definately dont want to burn it up now. I now need to replace the wood where the control center goes and mount the wheel and ignition and choke switches for it, then it will be out to the local lake to see if its going run reliably. Then I will work on finishing the interior. I'll try to get some pics of the floor put up. thanks all

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

after doing some research on the engine I have, I found out that it was actually a chrysler engine. My model number is an 80472, Westbend 1964 4cyl-80hp . I did not find any westbend models that corresponded, but after looking in the chrylser model/year section I noticed that They have models 80461-62-71-72-91, under the year of 1964 and 80 hp 4cylinder. So even though chrysler didnt officially buy out Westbend until 1965, they were already producing some under the Westbend name. Needless to say, I still cant find any information on the engine. just though that was neat.

 

[F_R]

Re: Westbend 80hp

In early years, it was common for autos to have positive ground systems. I suspect the designers simply went with what they knew.

However: I don't remember the exact reason, I think it has something to do with electron flow, but I have read the engineering reason against positive grounding.

Negative ground is the preferred system and that is why it is the ONLY electrical ignition scheme used today and almost universally used in all other electrial devices and systems.

Interesting engine--no distributor, four coils, probably fired by four point sets under the flywheel. And I'll bet it has four condensers too.

The electricity (electrons) doesn't give a hoot which side is "grounded". It has nothing to do with earth ground, like the AC in your house does. Polarity is the only thing that mattters on the car and/or outboard. Reverse the polarity from what it was designed, and blow some electronics like the rectifier and voltage regulator. Here is one from the real old-timer's school--Battery powered radio sets from the 1930's used two or three batteries of various voltages. Some were hooked up with positive to chassis ground and some were hooked up with negative to chassis ground---on the same radio at the same time. That blow your mind, kids?

 

[steelespike]

Re: Westbend 80hp

My info indicates a 80472 is a 64 west bend.Numbers beginning with an 80 run 61-65.Also indicates Chrysler numbers beginning in 66 no 80s only 70,75,85,105,120,135.
from a after market manual covering various brands 56-70.
You might see if there is any info on the boat at fiberglassics.com lots of great catalogs.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Westbend 80hp

I'm pretty sure I still have an original West Bend engine brochure from 64 at my office. If I do I will scan it and email it to you. It was a West Bend design. Chrysler didn't start making any real changes to the WB line until 66...Bit of a side note, would you believe that they experimented with a 2 year factory warranty back then?

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

scan it and post it up if you can!! please??!?

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Westbend 80hp

The file size is large so send me your email address and I will send it to you. Feel free to post them here if you want to take the time to reduce the image size. I used the 63 catalog as it featured a little more fluff on the 80 hp.

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

it wont let me pm you, so here, r_cracer@hotmail.com, thanks

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Westbend 80hp

Good luck with that great old motor! Don't know if you have posted anything over in the Repair & Restoration Forum about your boat but that piece of diamond-plate on the transom makes me think one of the previous owners felt the transom was weak, rotten or suspect.

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

Tohatsu, thanks a lot for the brochure pics!!! i really enjoyed reading about their "state of the art/space aged technology" back then lol.

to the other guy, if you would have read my entire first post, you would have noticed that I have ALREADY replaced the transom and added that to help disperse the weight more, as well as the 1/4" angle iron that caps the top of it. nothing wrong with extra support. the transom wont be as likely to sag over time with the extra help.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: Westbend 80hp

West Bend and Chrysler never really received the respect that they deserved. Both companies introduced initial technology to the marine industry at different times. Their downfall was their lower cost People just assumed that cheaper meant cheap. There are still tons of those abused, neglected things that people run to this day.

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

Well, I am getting this thing done slowly, but surely. Did some interior work on it. Still more to come. enjoy.

 

[crazy_s_dime]

Re: Westbend 80hp

hey, do any of you know what oil ratio that im supposed to be running? I think that its supposed to be a 50:1 mix, but i dont have anything backing this up. its a 1964 West bend/chrysler 4 cylinder 2stroke