Crosley Engine Family Tree - CoBra Years

Crosley CoBra - 1945 to 1949
CoBra - COpper BRAzed Developed for the government, but I'm sure Powel Crosley already had the end of the war in mind when he started developing what would become the "The Mighty Tin". The transition from stationary engine to car engine in 1946 was not without trouble. The military engine only had to run a set number of hours then it was discarded. Running continuously it doesn't take long to put the number hours that could take years in normal car use. Valve trains had to be reworked for variable speed, coatings on the cylinder walls had to be improved to take more temperature cycles and more abusive and cheaper antifreeze substitutes. The CoBra was under continues development and was a good 60,000+ mile engine when it was abandoned for cast iron. CoBra engines fall into two groups. The early engines had straight cut tower shaft gears and a painted block. The later had a spiral cut tower gear and a galvanized coated block. Many CoBra engines not only survived but a growing number are being restored and run as display engines or in cars.		The block weighs 14.8 lbs. The engine Powel Crosley is holding weighed 58 lbs. Complete with all accessories including flywheel it still only weights133 lbs.
The early CoBra engines had straight cut gears on the tower shaft/cam. Later engines went to the spiral cut gears to quiet down the valve train a little. Because of the thin sheet metal construction the noise level of a tin engine is still high, almost sounding like a diesel.		Early CoBra (wrong color)
It's hard to make out detail but this is the only picture of the Mooney-Crosley I have found.  It was modified by the Crosley factory for the application.  1947 photo, more Mooney-Crosley details can be gotten from Mooney M-18 site.	Mooney   Peak	Peek Wildcat Boat motors were built in at least 1949. 80 hp out of 88 CI in the Sr. engine, the regular Peek Wildcat had a stroker crank and boosted the Crosley 44 CI engine to 48 CI for the 48 class in boat racing. Available in both cast iron and tin versions. Note the picture above shows a mirrored CoBra block.
The end of the Mighty Tin - A factory letter was sent to all Crosley dealers on Feb. 3, 1949. It stated that starting on January 24, 1949, all cars would incorporated the new Crosley CIBA (Cast Iron Block) Engine. "All cars shipped since January 24 have had a sticker applied to the inside of the windshield. When it is removed, the external appearance of the car is, of course, the same as that of any other car. It will take several weeks before we make a public announcement of this change, but we are passing this information on to you in advance and in confidence for your own information and protection."		CIBA Years
Correction or additions are welcome. Jim@Bollman.com
Taylor Years CoBra Years CIBA Years Post Crosley Big Block Years

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