Taking a leaf from the success of the 136 stock hydro class in the
few short years of its existence, many drivers in the 266 class expressed
a desire for a stock class for the bigger fellows. With careful consideration,
Frank Foulke and a committee investigated the possibilities of such a stock
class, and came up with a set of rules for the probationary 280 cu. in
(Stock) hydro class. From all indications, the interest in this new class
is very large, and before too long, the stock 280s should be appearing
on race courses throughout the country.
To be eligible for competition in the 280 stock class, the hulls must
meet, the current 266 requirement, and the engine must be a stock automobile
motor listed in the National Automobile Dealer's Red Book, such motor'
to have no more than 280 cubic inches of piston displacement, and must
be built in the U.S.A Such automobile engines as Ford, Chevrolet, Plymouth,
Dodge (prior to 1956 models), etc., will fall neatly into this class, and
there should be no lack of powerplants.
Below are, the rules as approved by the Inboard Racing Commission of
the APBA :
280 Cu. In. (Stock) Class (Hydro)
1. A match shall consist of not less than two heats of five miles in
length as advertised by the local race committee.
2. To be eligible for competition in this. class, a boat must be powered
with one stock automobile motor listed in the National Automobile Dealers'
Red Book, such motor to have no more than 280 cu. in. of piston displacement.
No motor built outside the U.S.A shall be eligible.
3. Motors must remain strictly stock as furnished by the motor manufacturers,
with the following exceptions only:
(a) Transmissions, clutch, water pumps, thermostat, generators, fans,
carburetor air cleaners, exhaust manifold, vacuum spark controls on distributor,
choke butterflies and shaft, belt housings, generator mountings, and any
drives, brakes, controls, gaskets or connections necessary solely for such
items, may be removed.
(b) There shall be permitted any one or more of the following: modification
of cooling system, addition of water piping, installation of drive coupling
and/or thrust bearing.
(c) The exhaust system may consist of automotive type manifolds, stacks,
or any combination of these. It shall be permissible to block off the heat
passage that leads in and around the intake manifold.
(d) Copper tubing may be placed in the crankcase for oil cooling purpose.
The oil pan may be altered to accommodate the cooling tubing or to conform
to the configuration of the hull. It may be permissible to alter the oil
pump pick up to conform to changes in the oil pan shape and to install
additional crankcase breathers.
(e) Intake and exhaust passages in block, manifold and heads shall
not be ground or polished. It is not permissible to correct any irregularities
or misalignment in the above. No change is permitted in valve area, angle
of valve seat nor in the shape or size of the valve. There shall be no
alterations to the combustion chamber. It is not permissible to increase
the compression ratio.
(f) A tolerance of no more than .060 shall be allowed for reconditioning,
in which case the total pistol displacement shall not exceed 280 cu. in.
(g) Reconditioning of motors. . . only. . . original parts shall be
used as furnished by the motor manufacturers. No excuse for replacement
parts.
(h) All parts on inside of engine must remain completely stock as furnished
by the motor manufacturer, except: balancing of rotating and reciprocating
parts, clearance of pistons, piston pins, connecting rods and main bearings
permitted.
(i) All parts on the outside of engine may be removed or altered to
accommodate installation in boat except: carburetor and distributor. These
two items must remain stock models as furnished on the automobile.
(j) One two barrel carburetor as originally furnished will be allowed.
No four barrel carburetor will be allowed. Originally equipped carburetor
jets may be replaced by jets of the same make and type providing the fuel
orifice is not more than .015 larger than in the stock jet.
(k) A wedge may be installed beneath in the carburetor to bring its
vertical axis upright and compensate for motor angle, or to mill the intake
manifold to acquire the same results. |
4. No power pak engines permitted in this class. Only engines originally
manufactured with two barrel carburetors permitted.
5. No gear boxes. . . or overdrive built on engine.
6. Boats competing in this class shall have a minimum length excluding
projections of 16 ft. The hull must have at least one watertight bulkhead
or suitable flotation equipment.
7. The letter for this class shall be "E", while on probation for one
year.
8. Fuel is restricted to gasoline of the type sold as regular or premium
fuel for automotive or marine service. The Race Committee may require competing
boats to be fueled from a source under the supervision of the Committee.
In addition to the inspection and protest provisions of the APBA General
Racing Rules, the following procedure will be applicable to this class.
At the discretion and direction of the Measurer and Chief Inspector of
APBA, boats of this class shall be subject to spot inspections at any regatta
in which they compete. Said spot inspections shall cover the following
minimum list of points: (a) bore and stroke, (b) valve size, (c) valve
lift, stock status of all components visible (d) valve seat diameter and
angle, (e) with head removed and (f) valve timing. The owner of any boat
found by inspection to be in violation of these rules shall automatically
be disqualified from racing for a period of six months.
The hull requirements for the new probationary
280 cu..in. hydro class are the same as those for
this 266 c.i. hydro, Miami Boy, owned by Tommy Gore, driven
by D.C. Keisacker.
Engine can have no more than 280 cu.in. displacement and must be stock
motor listed in the N.A.D. Red Book.
From BOAT SPORT magazine, May 1956.
Thanks to Brent McLean for providing this article.
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