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1907 Kermath Speed-Away Car ~ James Kermath at the wheel Kermath, A
Legend in Engines |
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B uzz words, such as "Overhead Cam," "4 Valves Per Cylinder," "Dual Ignition," and "Dry Sump Oil System" are all contemporary terms for high performance engines. Kermath "Sea Wolf" and "Sea Raider" Marine Engines began production with the above features in 1926! It started back in 1904 when the Morton Engine Company of Detroit, Michigan, began building 4 cycle marine engines. The year 1912 saw the new 12 H.P. "Kermath by Morton" for sale at $150. By the time of its demise in 1955, Kermath had produced a full line of gas inboards from 3 H.P. to 580 H.P. V12 Sea Raiders, and a very complete line of diesels, up to 250 H.P. All were designed as marine only engines. Even an ill-fated line of inverted 90 degree drive "Screwballs" were offered in 1952, but the Sea Wolfs and Sea Raiders were their legendary successes. How did all this happen?James Kermath was the founder of the Kermath Company, although many of its products were sold under the name "Morton Engine Company." This company was solely licensed as Kermath's distributor through 1910. Kermath initially produced automobile parts, and in 1907 built a complete car, the "Kermath Speed-Away." With the hiring of Sales Manager Jack Farr in 1910, the company focused on the marine market and expanded their previous small marine engine line to be the main product line. With the exception of World War I, when they produced Liberty Engine parts, marine engines were their primary business. |
Kermath Engines introduced the overhead valve (and cam) leading to the "Sea Wolf" Series in 1926. It incorporated many of our contemporary design items. Kermath's early product line, unlike others, was exclusively 4 cycle engines of their design. (Later in the 1930's, they adapted for marine use a Mercury (Ford) V8, Lincoln V12, and a Pontiac straight 8.) Prior to 1926, all engines were of the flathead (L Head) configuration and of two, four, and six cylinder in-line design. Model names ranged from the older 2 cylinder, 4 cylinder heavy-duty, through the 4 cylinder "Sea-Bird, "Sea-Dog," "Sea-Man" and 6 cylinder "Sea-Eagle," "Sea-Master," "Sea Queen," "Sea-Mate," "Sea Captain" and the L Head 150 H.P. "Sea King" and "Sea Farer." The overhead valve ("Sea Wolf" type) was introduced in 1926, sharing the oil pan, oil reservoir, distributor, pistons, and crankshaft of their flathead 150 H.P. predecessor. The new engine was initially rated at 150 H.P. at 1800 RPM, displacing 648 cubic inches. A later 1928 version, the "Sea Hawk," was rated at 175 H.P. Late in 1928, the 5" bore was retained, with the stroke increased to 5 3/4" to produce the 200 H.P. 678 cubic inch version. Within a year, the slightly higher compression 225 H.P. version was marketed, which is the highest production model (through 1943) and known, as the "Sea Wolf."
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