UPDATE: **SOLD**
Bruce spotted this rare Kermath engine for sale.
This vintage inboard is a 4cyl 61hp Kermath Sea-Jeep High Speed. A marine conversion of the military Willys Jeep MB 134ci L-head engine. From what I can tell, it appears to be all original and very minimally used.
The transmission engages in forward and reverse. The engine turns freely. The prop shaft, propeller, Kainer shaft log and Perko adjustable strut appear to be in great condition.
The 16′ wooden boat this was installed in literally rotted away around it, so I have no information regarding its original application. The prop shaft appears to be set up for a v-bottom thru-boat application. All bronze 1″ shaft, Kainer & Co thru shaft log, Perko adjustable 1″ strut, and 3 blade RH pitch 5 prop.
The Kermath gauge cluster is dated Jun 18 1946.
The Willy’s engine block casting is 638632. The red is covering the original WWII military drab paint.
The Kermath Sea Jeep High Speed plate reads:
S/N: 461284
Code: KWBM 82
And next to this, the casting number/code is: 1X-71-P2
These engines were offered as replacements or upgrades (according to Kermath ads) for your wooden pleasure crafts, runabouts, or utility boats, beginning in 1946. Given its close vicinity to Hawthorne, I assume it was instead a surplus unit.
Interesting that the take off to the propeller is for what we know as the front
This item sold.
Thanks Samantha. I’ve updated the post.
– Dave