CHRIS CRAFT COMMANDER FORUM ® .......A photo-intensive technical reference file and ongoing newsletter regarding the original fiberglass Chris Craft Commander. Our mission at this independent not-for-profit non-commercial web site is to "have fun and share information" for your individual personal use. Our main reference feature is the ever expanding MASTER INDEX Files which contain exhaustive photo and technical information on the Chris Craft Commander line (like these original brochure scans, featuring the iconic 38 Commander designed by Fred Hudson) , (an awesome collection of Chris Craft 427 tuning and specification information), and a few words about how to use the information in the forum, etc. Be sure to look at the information about the 2009 Lake Erie Chris Craft Commander / Roamer Rendezvous, second year in a row at Huron, Ohio, held in August of 2009 !! If you're a Commander fan, this will be an event you won't want to miss next time around.

We extend to you a cordial "WELCOME ABOARD !"

This forum is registered as chriscraftcommander.com

Respond to this messageReturn to index
Original Message
  • Would be interesting to know more about that 361 Interceptor
      • Tom Slayton (no login)
      Posted Jul 9, 2007 5:23 PM


      That may be a 361 Edsel motor, and not necessarily the truck version. Here is a photo of a 1959 Edsel Corsair with the 361 motor. All of the big block Fords were known for having lots of torque. Either way, great boat motor.



      Edsel 361 engines were assembled in Cleveland, OH. Standard for 1958 Ranger, Pacer, Villager, Bermuda, Roundup, and optional for 1959 Ranger, Corsair, Villager.
      • 361 cid (5.911 litre)
      • 303 hp @4600 rpm
      • 400 ft•lbf Torque @2900 rpm
      • 10.5:1 Compression Ratio
      • 4.0469 x 3.500 Bore/Stroke
      • 4-bbl Holley carburetor
      • Pushrod overhead valve
      • Features an angle-wedge combustion chamber
      • Firing order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
      • Cylinder numbering (front-to-rear): Right 1-2-3-4 Left 5-6-7-8
      • 18 mm Champion spark plugs, 0.34 gap
      • Cam Angle (degrees): 26 - 28.5
      • Idle speed in Neutral (rpm): 475- 500
      • Minimum compression pressure at cranking speed (lbs): 180
      • Oil Pressure (lbs): 45 - 50
      • Average miles per gallon: 15.2.
      Edsel 361 engines were also issued to law enforcement agencies and other emergency municipal services as the 1958 Ford Police Interceptor. Police Interceptor Fords sold to consumers were 352-4V with an extra-large air cleaner (AFP-14 or equivalent).
      Super Express V8

      Optional for all models
      VIN Code: W
      361 cid (5.91 litre)
      Maximum hp: 303 @ 4600 rpm
      Maximum torque: 390 ft-lb @ 2900 rpm
      Minimum compression pressure at cranking speed (lbs): 180
      10.0:1 Compression Ratio
      4.0469 x 3.500 Bore/Stroke
      4-bbl Ford carburetor
      Fuel: Premium
      Carburetor fuel level - primary: 0.875 inches (fuel should just trickle when plug removed)
      Carburetor fuel level - secondary: 0.750 inches (fuel should just trickle when plug removed)
      Float setting - primary: 0.875 inches (bowl off carburetor and inverted)
      Float setting - secondary: 0.5625 inches (bowl off carburetor and inverted)
      Firing order: 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
      Distributor rotation (viewed from above): Counter-clockwise
      Cylinder numbering (front-to-rear, viewed from front) Left: 1-2-3-4 Right: 5-6-7-8
      18mm Champion spark plugs, 0.035 gap
      Cam Angle (degrees): 26 - 28.5
      Breaker Contact Gap (inches): 0.014 - 0.016
      Breaker Point Arm Spring tension (ounces): 17-20
      Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 0 @ 450 rpm
      Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 1.25 - 2.25 @ 550 rpm
      Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 4 - 5 @ 675 rpm
      Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 6.5 - 7.5 @ 850 rpm
      Centrifugal Spark Advance (degrees): 13.25 - 14.75 @ 2000 rpm
      Vacuum Spark Advance @ 1000 rpm (degrees): 0 - 3 (7 inches of vacuum)
      Vacuum Spark Advance @ 1000 rpm (degrees): 4 - 7 (10 inches of vacuum)
      Vacuum Spark Advance @ 1000 rpm (degrees): 7.5 - 10.5 (14 inches of vacuum)
      Ignition Timing with standard transmission: 3 deg BTDC
      Ignition Timing with automatic transmission: 6 deg BTDC
      Idle speed in Neutral with standard transmission (rpm): 475 - 500
      Idle speed in Drive with automatic transmission (rpm): 450
      Generator maximum controlled output (Std): 30 amp, 15 volt @ 2525 generator rpm
      Generator maximum controlled output (Air Cond): 40 amp, 12 volt @ 2670 generator rpm
      Generator brush tension (ounces): 36 - 40
      Gernerator rotation (viewed from drive end): Clockwise
      Regulator cut-out relay - Close: 12.4 - 13.2 @ 1200 generator rpm
      Regulator cut-out relay - Open (Std): 6 - 9 amps reverse current
      Regulator cut-out relay - Open (Air Cond): 2 - 6 amps reverse current
      Current Regulator - Standard (amps): 28 - 32
      Current Regulator - Air Cond (amps): 33 - 37
      Voltage Regulator (volts): 14.6 - 15.4 with 5 amp load at 75 degF ambient
      Starter motor free running speed: 4500 rpm (85 amps, 12.0 volts)
      Starter motor lock torque: 15.5 min ft-lbs (550 amps, 5.0 volts)
      Oil Pressure (lbs): 45 - 50
      Valve Stem clearance - Intake (inches): 0.019
      Valve Stem clearance - Exhaust (inches): 0.019
      Valve Timing: Intake valves open at 12 degrees before top dead center
      Cooling system capacity - 8-cylinder (qt): 19 (20 if equipped with heater)
      Thermostat opening temperature (deg F): 157 - 162 with alcohol-type antifreeze
      Thermostat opening temperature (deg F): 177 - 182 with permanent antifreeze)
    Login Status
  • You are not logged in
      • Login
      Password
       

      Optional
      Provides additional benefits such as notifications, signatures, and user authentication.

      Create Account
    Your Name
    Your Email
    (Optional)
    Message Title
    Message Text
    Options Enable formatted text (Huh?)
    Also send responses to my email address
          


    Contact the Chris Craft Commander Forum
    chriscraftcommander@hotmail.com

    ©2005, ©2006, ©2007, ©2008, ©2009, Chris-Craft Commander Forum, Inc., ®, also known as ChrisCraftCommander.com. Information and intellectual property on this not-for-profit non-commercial site may be copied for individual personal use, but any other reproduction or use requires written approval. Any entity who mines this site for names, material, or their other commercial/financial benefit in any way is subject to copyright and intellectual property law; the integrity of this site will be aggressively protected. The material here is for indivudual personal use and is not to be sold. Chris Craft is a registered trademark of Chris-Craft. Neither Chris-Craft nor any subsidiaries of Chris-Craft shall bear any responsibility for the chriscraftcommander.com content, comments, or advertising. Chris Craft Commander Forum, Inc., is independent from Chris Craft Corporation, the Chris Craft Commander Club, any other entities, and is not affiliated with, sponsored or supported by those organizations in any way. Copyright/trademark/sales mark infringements are not intended, or implied.