SWAMPHUNTER45
Well-known member
It is great sorrow and a heavy heart that I must notify the airboat community of the passing of master engine builder Buddy Branch on 12/20/2020 at Tampa General Hospital of COVID-19 related health effects. Mr. Branch was surrounded by his loving family at the time of his death.
Having been raised in North Carolina NASCAR country, Mr. Branch began his love of high performance engines at a young age. As he moved into adulthood he owned and operated a full service auto repair station before landing with his growing family in the Tampa Florida area many years ago. Having first mastered the Oldsmobile engine it was then by total accident that he discovered the Cadillac 472/500 engine for high performance modification. It was during a major repair to a relatives vehicle that he was surprised at the power that the engine produced. This was at a time when a low mileage 472 or 500 cubic inch engine could be purchased at the local salvage yard for $150 with little effort.
Initially Mr. Branch was building or modifying the 472/500 engines for "Street Rods" where he quickly became well known for his budget friendly and powerful engines. From the streets and local drag strip his reputation for building Cadillac, Pontiac, Chevrolet and Oldsmobile engines spread until one day a gentleman stopped into his shop in Tampa with what at that time was a rather odd request. The new customer wanted to order a Cadillac engine to mount a large wood paddle prop to it's crankshaft. While a totally new concept to him Mr. Branch embraced the build and upon completing it word spread of the power and reliability of his engines. Over the next 30 plus years Mr. Branch constantly evolved and improved upon the 472/500 platform. He was one of the first to fabricate a forged "tool steel" pedestal to address high RPM valve train needs. He was a pioneer in making a full roller Cadillac engine before such products were commercially available for sale. He accomplished this by altering roller lifters from another modern GM family of engine then having the lifters machined and married by a "link bar." Working with both Crane and Competition Cams he convinced them to build him proto-type roller camshafts off both Big Block and Small Block Chevy lobe profiles until he discovered what worked best for performance and durability.
Never being content with the status quo in recent years Mr. Branch had developed a process to eliminate crankshaft key way walk, designed a fully adjustable roller camshaft thrust bearing, perfected the 555 inch airboat gear drive engine, adapted both Nitrous Oxide systems and the GMC 871 blower to the Cadillac airboat platform.
"Buddy" as he was known had been helpful to anyone who needed engine technical advice, spending hours of his time weekly on the phone "talking them through" repairs or diagnosis of problems. Producing custom fabricated parts such as his "MAX TORQUE" Direct Drive airboat camshaft kit's, he helped to promote reliable and economical airboat power to our community.
A true "Southern Gentleman" he was always willing to assist someone with a problem, may he now rest in peace.
A private graveside service for family will be conducted on 12/23/2020 in Springhill, Florida
There will be a Celebration of Life Social "luncheon" in the very near future for friends and family to honor Buddy's memory.
Having been raised in North Carolina NASCAR country, Mr. Branch began his love of high performance engines at a young age. As he moved into adulthood he owned and operated a full service auto repair station before landing with his growing family in the Tampa Florida area many years ago. Having first mastered the Oldsmobile engine it was then by total accident that he discovered the Cadillac 472/500 engine for high performance modification. It was during a major repair to a relatives vehicle that he was surprised at the power that the engine produced. This was at a time when a low mileage 472 or 500 cubic inch engine could be purchased at the local salvage yard for $150 with little effort.
Initially Mr. Branch was building or modifying the 472/500 engines for "Street Rods" where he quickly became well known for his budget friendly and powerful engines. From the streets and local drag strip his reputation for building Cadillac, Pontiac, Chevrolet and Oldsmobile engines spread until one day a gentleman stopped into his shop in Tampa with what at that time was a rather odd request. The new customer wanted to order a Cadillac engine to mount a large wood paddle prop to it's crankshaft. While a totally new concept to him Mr. Branch embraced the build and upon completing it word spread of the power and reliability of his engines. Over the next 30 plus years Mr. Branch constantly evolved and improved upon the 472/500 platform. He was one of the first to fabricate a forged "tool steel" pedestal to address high RPM valve train needs. He was a pioneer in making a full roller Cadillac engine before such products were commercially available for sale. He accomplished this by altering roller lifters from another modern GM family of engine then having the lifters machined and married by a "link bar." Working with both Crane and Competition Cams he convinced them to build him proto-type roller camshafts off both Big Block and Small Block Chevy lobe profiles until he discovered what worked best for performance and durability.
Never being content with the status quo in recent years Mr. Branch had developed a process to eliminate crankshaft key way walk, designed a fully adjustable roller camshaft thrust bearing, perfected the 555 inch airboat gear drive engine, adapted both Nitrous Oxide systems and the GMC 871 blower to the Cadillac airboat platform.
"Buddy" as he was known had been helpful to anyone who needed engine technical advice, spending hours of his time weekly on the phone "talking them through" repairs or diagnosis of problems. Producing custom fabricated parts such as his "MAX TORQUE" Direct Drive airboat camshaft kit's, he helped to promote reliable and economical airboat power to our community.
A true "Southern Gentleman" he was always willing to assist someone with a problem, may he now rest in peace.
A private graveside service for family will be conducted on 12/23/2020 in Springhill, Florida
There will be a Celebration of Life Social "luncheon" in the very near future for friends and family to honor Buddy's memory.
Though i never had the pleasure of meeting Mr Branch l have read and heard so many good things about him. Prayers to his family and friends. R.I.P SIR and GOD BLESS 
