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Mercury
Back in the 1970s there were only 2 Mercury outboards in the harbor near my
home and the nearest dealer was 40 minutes away. At the time, regardless
of the advertising to the contrary, they were miserable salt water
motors and simply didn't hold up.
As
a kid I owned a Mark 5 (see below) and it needed new J-8J spark
plugs. One hot July day I took a 7 mile trip on my bike to our local
OMC dealer (The closest place to our house to buy outboard parts)
When questioned what the J-8J's were for, received a 20 minute diatribe
on what (expletive, expletive, expletive) a product Mercury's (and
Mr. Kiekhaefer) were. Now almost 30 years later I am friends with
this same individual who, due to OMC's demise, is now a Mercury
dealer. (And I don't let him forget it!)
My
oldest son is a big fan of Mercury outboards; I still am a bit reticent.
Currently I only have the KB-4 below and a replacement for the Mark 5 I had as a kid. The 1941 KB-4, I
must admit, it is a pretty good machine, and so is the Mark 5 - often called "the Mercury a Johnson owner could like." Okay, there also may be a couple of Wizard outboards (made by Mercury) around here somewhere....
1941
Mercury KB-4 Rocket 5.8 hp
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Year & Model:
1941 Mercury KB-4 Rocket
Horsepower: 5.8 @ 4,000 rpm
Cylinders: 2-Alternate Firing
Bore: 2"
Stroke: 1.75"
Ignition: Eiseman Magneto
Point Gap: .020
Cooling: Water by rubber impeller
Condition: Unrestored
Retail price when new: $NA
Weight: 48 lbs.
Oil/Gas Mix: 3/4pt TCW-3
Spark Plug: Champion J-8J (Now J-8C but
J-6C have been found to be a better heat range with today's
fuel.)
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Odd cast-in opening in front |
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| The starboard side has a hole cast in so you can "tickle" the carb float. Also a cast iron "dummy" manifold that is short and an aluminum 1/2-round trim where the dummy manifold usually comes up. |
1954
Mercury Mark 5 - 5hp
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File
photo
The
Mercury Mark 5 will push my 12' Aluminum boat at 12.3mph. |
Year & Model:
1954 Mercury Mark 5
Horsepower: 5 @ 4,200 rpm
Cylinders: 2-Alternate Firing
Bore: 1.75"
Stroke: 1.5"
Ignition: R.E. Phaelon Magneto
Point Gap: .018
Cooling: Water by rubber impeller
Condition: Unrestored
Retail price when new: $201.50
Weight: 40 lbs.
Oil/Gas Mix: 3/8pt TCW-3 per gal
Spark Plug: Champion J-7J (Now J-6C.)
Comments
Depending on how you look at it, the Mark 5 was the second
or third outboard I had as a kid. (It was the second one that
actually ran...) I sold it back in 1975 and always regretted
it - this is the Mercury a Johnson lover can like!
The
Mark 5 is smooth, fairly quiet and very powerful for so small
and compact an engine. It is equipped with a neutral clutch
actuated by pressing the small button and releasing the center
part of the top handle. It starts easily and idles superbly
- not something people typically think of in 1950's era Mercurys.
It has a 10 quart fuel tank on top of the motor and is very
economical - again not something found in many other older
Mercs.
The
only two negatives about this motor are #1) It is fairly loud
at top speed, and #2) The friction disk propeller hub is for
the birds!
Compare
the 1953 5hp Outboards
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