Weird exhaust manifolds

[RichV]

I have never seen an exhaust manifold anything like these, are thet home built?  Seen in the following Craigslist add.  https://nmi.craigslist.org/boa/d/ft-american-skier-trailer/6368174691.html

[RonT]

Other than the year listed in the ad being wrong the boat looks pretty stock. That engine is called a "Clevor" something Commander Engines built up using a std. Windsor 351 short block and adding "Cleaveland" heads and commander made the exhaust manifolds. If I remember these were rated for 320 HP where the std. 531 was 255HP. This was an expensive engine option.

[RichV]

That's a nice engine, I did not know there ever was a production Clevor marine engine.  I wonder what heads were used?  Australian Ford heads were probably the latest production Cleveland heads, but even these were not built after about 1979.  Could 351M heads have been used?

[shyskier]

Ron what do you think, "89 - 90"

[RonT]

87 or 88, I may have those records in storage, I probably sold that boat, I know Commander only built a bout a dozen Clevors & I sold half of them in the midwest. I remember we could not use the clamshell motor box because the exhaust didn't fit.

[RichV]

It has the underseat glove box, my 89 has the glove box on top of the dash.  What year did the glove box change over?

[backfoot100]

It wasn't a change over. I'm pretty sure the under seat glove box was an option and the one built into the dash was standard equipment, as in part of the deck mold.
My 86 has both.

I was thinking the boat in question was an 88 or 89 based on the graphics.

Ron, isn't this the same color and graphics as the one you restored a few years ago. The one that had the fiberglass bimini. I thought that one was an 88.

[RonT]

Yes the Black & Red on White was an '88 and '88s have the clamshell motorbox, the boat above has the '85 style motor box, with 88/89 coaming pads in the picture. I believe we used the older motor box on the Clevors because they didn't fit under the clamshell.

[shyskier]

It is a 87. It does have 2 glove box's.
I bought it.
Anybody want to pull a boat to CO on their ski trip this winter?

[backfoot100]

It is a 87. It does have 2 glove box's.
I bought it.
Anybody want to pull a boat to CO on their ski trip this winter?

REALLY!!!! That's so awesome!!!!!! I have to tell you that if I had the room and no other projects going on I would already have it sitting in my driveway. That engine is just too cool to let go and the price is worth it for the engine alone. I really think the owner had no idea what he had there.
Keep us updated on everything about it. That's just waaaaaay too much of a one-off piece of history.

Congrats.

[shyskier]

He didn't know till Ron talked to him. Was hoping to get it alittle cheaper end of year & all, but he was firm on price. I haven't seen it yet, had friend in MI check it out & pick up said it is in very good condition, could not water test but the seller seemed very straight forward about everything. I think I will be happy.

[RichV]

Just for the sake of curiosity, could you look for casting numbers on the heads?  I think the seller said it runs 40 mph, if it really puts out 325 hp, it can probably go a bit faster than that.  The top speed might be limited by the prop.

[shyskier]

May not be able to get #s till spring.

[PaulM]

I almost bought the Clevor engine option for my 88 Advance.  The engine made so much torque, the 351W block oiling system reputedly could not handle the power output, and the engines allegedly were prone to bearing problems.  If this one is still alive, it would be interesting to see it on the water.  Obviously it's a very rare bird!