Gray Marine Engines

[TSteele65]

Anyone familiar with these? I found an otherwise good-looking boat with the original Gray 4-cyl motor. The owner had it rebuilt a few years ago, according to the broker. Parts availability might be an issue, but are these solid motors otherwise? Am I looking at a re-power the minute I take delivery?

[Wayne25]

T:

I know Gray Marine engines are in a lot of antique boats. If it is in any type of running condition or could be made to run, there is probably a market for it in the antique boating circles.

[Jeff_H]

Gray was a direct competitor to Universal. They were perceived to be an upgrade from the Universals that were so, well universal in the early days of fiberglass boats. The last I heard, which is quite a few years ago, you could still replacement parts but you could not get the kind of upgrade pasts, like electronic ingitions, that you can for the Atomic 4.

Jeff

[sailaway21]

Coincidently, i was at the marina this summer observing the launching of a beautiful old ChrisCraft runabout midway through restoration. It sported a Gray, size unobserved, and the fellow at the marina, who looked like Walter Brennan's father and has been working on boat engines for over fifty years, said that they were a great motor. Good horsepower and reliable. For whatever it's worth.

[Boasun]

Gray?? Think Detroit Diesel. This is where you will find the necessary parts when you need them.
This is the impression I got while serving in the Navy and didn't see to much visual difference between the two.
Be sure to have all of your engine's numbers when going to the parts store.
Just be glad that it isn't a Buda. An engine that was used by the Navy in a lot of 26' whale boats.

[CharlieCobra]

Gray's are decent and you can find most parts. Universal is a direct replacement for them if ya get tired of messing with the Gray.

[USCGRET1990]

I agree, great old and simple motors with parts available. Back in the
mid-70's I resurected an old Chesapeake Bay Deadrise with a 330 cu.in. straight six Gray in it that I got to fine running condition with just an elect fuel pump.

[brianbourgeois]

i have a gray marine phantom four 45 from 1939 in my custom 77 douglas 32.
it is a fine engine and yes you can gat an electronic ignition from pertronix and spare parts are available from graymarineparts.com as well as manuals etc.
oldmarineengine.com is also a good resource for info on that engine.
value isn't that high but they are getting rare.
if you need any info just pm me and if you pull it i may be interested in a spare.
Brian b