Curating Maximalism – Manifolds To Behold
Star marine Engine Works In Oakland California
And so it begins, a huge thanks to John Rothert who dropped off some very sweet Flathead V8 manifolds he got back in the day from a guy in California. Not sure if these have ever been used. And here they are. Now all we need is to get the B-8 from Arkansas. Anyone headed East passing through there? We don’t need it all the way here of course, just partial way. And with all this said, we are planning a road trip to pick up the B-8 in late October if no one is available for the Daisy Chain.
Used on race boats back in the day.
The logistics of moving an engine are a little coo coo, since it weighs so much. Which I get. So looks like it may be a long weekend. But thats whats part of the fun. Road trips, bad food and good laughs. And yes, there are ways to ship engines, but whats the fun in that?
Inside. Kinda dramatic? – Anyway back to the manifolds. The good news is that the B-8 has manifolds already, everything is there, and did run.
So? but hoarding parts is always a good thing. Okay back up, Hoarding and Good thing are two words that never really belong together. But we are not talking about old cereal boxes and old tuna cans stacked up in the bathroom. We are talking about manifolds and carburetors stacked up in the bathroom. A very clear difference. Right? Right? Anyway thanks John, one mans hoard is another mans hoard I suppose.
“The trick with hoarding is how you display it.“ WoodyBoater
I did ask the internet. Is this image Hoarding or Curating.? Here is what it said. Which is insane scary that it read all this into this image? YIKES. SO, oh hell ya! Bring it on.
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- Clear Structure and Intent: The tools on the left wall are hung carefully on designated boards or racks. Workstations are wiped down, and the main floor remains completely open and unobstructed to allow boats to move through.
- Historical Significance: The red parts highlighted in the foreground are vintage marine manifolds or engine blocks from the Star Marine Engine Works out of Oakland, California. They are intentionally placed on display or set aside for restoration rather than cast away in random piles.
- Dedicated Theme: Every single piece of equipment in the background—from the classic mahogany boats to the marine parts—shares a singular, cohesive purpose: preserving maritime history
Hoarding? Curating? Planning for the future? I went on a years long quest looking for a unicorn manifold for my early 60’s Ford Interceptor inline six. The original is aluminum but I eventually found a cast iron one on Ebay. It’s now squirreled away in the shed.
According to that as long as it stays organized it is not hoarding.
I have often said that my Father in Law was an organized hoarder, I guess I will have to change that to he was a curator.
Wow, nailed it!
The manifolds are really cool. That AI stuff is a little scary and hard to handle!
Matt, I clicked on the Reedville Marine Railway and was very impressed with the history and the presentation. I suggest people check it out. Nicely done.
I have what they call separation anxiety. It is hard for me to part with things. It bites you in the A$$ sometimes. But it is fun to have cool stuff.
I prefer to be caller a Curator, rather than a Hoarder… and yes….. its all about how its displayed!
I don’t think you’re ever hording if you have wooden boats. You are collecting what the future generations might need to keep it going. You can never have enough parts. Especially manifolds, if you’re using them in salt water.
Years ago at Clayton I bought a bunch of NOS ignition parts (points, rotors, caps, condensers) and NOS fuel pumps from a guy who was getting out of the parts biz. Price was a steal and they’re in stock in my garage. Sorry, that’s not hoarding-that’s being prepared! Yes, I’ve used some over the years.