Graymarine engines for 1959

Something to remember about marine engines. For the most part, they develop all their power at low rpm. Finding a streetable cam for one will definitely be a big problem. Another problem to look for is whether or not it is right or left rotation. My 1960 ChrisCraft 30 Sportfisherman had right and left rotation 283's that drove off the nose of the crank. The engines were installed backwards to accomplish that. As for exhaust manifolds from earlier eras, they were cast iron.

 

Kaiser continued using this engine in Jeep station wagons and pickups until 1961. Checker cabs also used a version of it. They can't be that rare. And the Kaiser Frazer club seems to have good support. I saw an old Jeep pickup in a junkyard as recently as last year.

I know of one guy who has 3 or 4 of them in his back yard, he is in Alberta Canada. You do not say where you are but there is probably one within a reasonable distance of you, if you can find it. Maybe a Craigslist or Kijiji or Facebook ad.