Twister 1 serial no

[JAFFA]

I have a twister 1 which I intend to restore. I think this is the serial no 3253135. Can anyone tell me if this is a serial no and maybe what year it is.
Also what year and hp standard motor should I look out for as a donor parts motor.
Ya gotta love the old stuff

[JAFFA]

Picture of twister1

[Mark75H]

The year is easy ... 1972

[JAFFA]

Is that the only year they where made?

[Mark75H]

Only year for blue

[JAFFA]

Mk 75H You have started something here, so how many years did the red band twister1 come out and maybe enlighten us on the differences. Was the blue band better, maybe the blue band shared the same block or similar as the twister 11
I raced a T2 in the early days even a T2x but T1 was a couple of years before my time. Boy I used to love those tillotsons(not).
Enlighten us please

[Mark75H]

Red Twisters were 1971 products ... if there were any red Twister-1's isn't known for certain. The Twister to Twister-1 upgrade kit was only exhaust components, not a block.

I'm pretty sure both original Twisters share the 135 base pattern and the T-2's use the 140 and later base pattern. T-2's have the 6 carb front with its different bearings and crankshaft and an exaggerated 140-ish exhaust ... very different from the red Twister and the blue dash-1.

[Raceman]

Red Twisters were 1971 products ... if there were any red Twister-1's isn't known for certain. The Twister to Twister-1 upgrade kit was only exhaust components, not a block.

I'm pretty sure both original Twisters share the 135 base pattern and the T-2's use the 140 and later base pattern. T-2's have the 6 carb front with its different bearings and crankshaft and an exaggerated 140-ish exhaust ... very different from the red Twister and the blue dash-1.

Sam, I don't think that's entirely correct. I agree on the years, and the fact that ALL of the Twisters were red, AND the Twister 1's were blue, and that they had the pre-72 or 135 style base pattern, BUT, I've got a COMPLETE NOS Twister1 upgrade kit, still in the Merc box and it includes the block, different exhaust log, pistons, switchbox and TONS of small stuff. and a crankshaft. I believe I remember a noticeable difference in the exhaust ports on this block from the red striped Twister block, but I haven't compared this stuff in well over 10 years and my blown Twister block was discarded by an over zealous employee cleaning up, and I don't think I want to scatter the original red Twister to look. (maybe I'll stick a bore scope in the red motor and try to refresh my memory on that part) Oddly, there aren't any connecting rods in the kit and it was factory sealed still when I bought it. The water discharges differently between the T & T1, but I haven't taken the time to try and find any other differences in the two logs. The outer flat plate on the log is not included in the kit, so it's assumed that ONLY wear parts, or parts that are different are in it. The mid section is different between the two also, but I wouldn't say with absolute certainty that it took place with the change from T to T1, but I think it did. The Twister mid has an adapter between the log and the mid that ads 10 or 12 bolts to the pattern, where the Twister1 log bolts directly to the mid without the seperate plate.

This kit also includes sticker kit, and for some reason top and bottom cowls, which I haven't ever taken the time to try and determine the difference in. I've been gonna lay it out on the table and take pictures of it and post em for a long time, but it's just another one of those things I don't get around to.

Of course the T2 & T2X shared the newer powerhead base pattern like the 1500's, and MANY other differences, INCLUDING a different crankshaft for the different bearing configuration that Sam mentioned AND a revised firing order which is unique to the T2 & T2X engines.............. NOT used on any other inline EVER.

[Raceman]

Jaffa, you might find these interesting reads. There's also one around here somewhere about my red Twister, which is VERY low hours and purchased from the original owner who bought it for pleasure boat use, then stored it when it was a lousy engine for a family boat, but I can't find it. The engine is pictured with a photo chopped change to display cowbell characteristics on the top of the second page in the cowbell link.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47333&highlight=twister (http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47333&highlight=twister)

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93376&highlight=twister (http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=93376&highlight=twister)

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27781&highlight=twister (http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27781&highlight=twister)

[JAFFA]

Cant imagine why the twister didnt take to pleasure boat use!!!
Hey love the history lesson, wish id kept all those old parts, especially the mid to gearbox adaptors which you guys all seem to want. I recall having 3 or 4 different sorts some for ssm and others for the big what we called marathon box or as I suspect the early mk 4 box , same looking as an ssm just fatter.
Talking about wish Id kept, Ill post a photo of a genuine merc 6 pack front we ran for a while on a T3 style motor, Also heres a pic of the old boat with the T2x on it,
You wouldnt be seen sticking your head out like this today. We ran 101 mph over the kilo with the 2L V6 6pack in the early 80s, boy we didnt know much really when you look at what you can do today

[Raceman]

I REALLY liked the old 6 Tillotsen setup for the V6. Sometime in about '76 or '77 I started trying to find a Bendix mechanical injector for my T3/15' Allison hotrod. I called Merc......... wouldn't talk about it. (back then they kept the stuff covered at the races and I'd only seen it because a friend who worked for Merc got me in the trailer at St. Louis) Anyway, I called Bendix, and after about a dozen calls got to the right department. The guy said something like, "I can't acknowledge that such a unit exists, and IF IT DOES, I can't acknowledge that Bendix Corp has anything to do with it, BUT if it does and if we do, I will tell you for sure that it would be a contract item with Merc and use some of their specific castings for mounting AND there is NO WAY that Bendix could or would sell one to anyone other than Merc. So I'm back buggin' Merc High Perf and beggin', and I can't remember who it was there, but finally somebody said that the Bendix was used ONLY on the Team boats and the several privateers that had direct factory help but that he'd sell me something else that I'd really like. In came the UPS truck with the Tillotsens. Talk about an impressive bolt on. Remember, this was takin' a vertical reed motor (I think I'd changed from a 2 liter T3 powerhead to a modified 2.4 powerhead by then) to this much more efficient horizontal straight at it design, that was PROBABLY a lot tighter in the crankcase volume as a side benefit. I think it bolted on 5 or 6 MPH on that boat and GOBS of mid range, BUT it was super thirsty for some reason. Plugs didn't show as rich, but fuel consumption increase was staggering.

I still have 2 of those setups, and I think a 3rd front half with no carbs, carb adapters or reeds. One of the best lookin' intake setups ever put on an outboard IMO.

[T2x]

I REALLY liked the old 6 Tillotsen setup for the V6. Sometime in about '76 or '77 I started trying to find a Bendix mechanical injector for my T3/15' Allison hotrod. I called Merc......... wouldn't talk about it. (back then they kept the stuff covered at the races and I'd only seen it because a friend who worked for Merc got me in the trailer at St. Louis) Anyway, I called Bendix, and after about a dozen calls got to the right department. The guy said something like, "I can't acknowledge that such a unit exists, and IF IT DOES, I can't acknowledge that Bendix Corp has anything to do with it, BUT if it does and if we do, I will tell you for sure that it would be a contract item with Merc and use some of their specific castings for mounting AND there is NO WAY that Bendix could or would sell one to anyone other than Merc. So I'm back buggin' Merc High Perf and beggin', and I can't remember who it was there, but finally somebody said that the Bendix was used ONLY on the Team boats and the several privateers that had direct factory help but that he'd sell me something else that I'd really like. In came the UPS truck with the Tillotsens. Talk about an impressive bolt on. Remember, this was takin' a vertical reed motor (I think I'd changed from a 2 liter T3 powerhead to a modified 2.4 powerhead by then) to this much more efficient horizontal straight at it design, that was PROBABLY a lot tighter in the crankcase volume as a side benefit. I think it bolted on 5 or 6 MPH on that boat and GOBS of mid range, BUT it was super thirsty for some reason. Plugs didn't show as rich, but fuel consumption increase was staggering.

I still have 2 of those setups, and I think a 3rd front half with no carbs, carb adapters or reeds. One of the best lookin' intake setups ever put on an outboard IMO.

Very interesting, now to the important question.

How many 1500 Xs's do you actually have:D :D

T2x

[Raceman]

Very interesting, now to the important question.

How many 1500 Xs's do you actually have:D :D

T2x

I think there are about 15 give or take. Some are disassembled and a few are missing some iginition pieces or have a rotten wire or two, but the big stuff is all there. ALSO.......... I bought 2 NOS (still in original Merc boxes and unpainted XS bare blocks on the board here several years ago and they're on the shelf waiting for a worthy candidate needing a heart transplant. I'd probably build one just for kicks if I could find an NOS crank and rods.;)

[LakeRacer99]

Here is an aftermarket six pack from back in the days...

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28961&highlight=tillotson

I would love to have one of these manifolds or the 6-Duece set up for V6. Rarely do they show up and when they do, my coins run out...

[Raceman]

Here's a thread showing the Merc unit.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88795&highlight=tillotsen

[T2x]

I presume you all know that the 6 pack set up was developed for Merc by Mach Ma. Mach Ma is Doc Hledin's company up in Montreal. He's a bit of a mad engine genius.....and Peter's (Douglas Marine Skater) brother. Bottom line the Hledin family was always ahead of the curve.

T2x

[JAFFA]

Thanks Raceman for all the links, some good stuff
Think Ill do some research, see if I can find that 6 pack mmmm

[PARKER RABE]

t 1 red stripe

[Mark75H]

t 1 red stripe


No -1 ... just T

[crazy horse]

Jason, When you get the chance check your PM's.;)

[LakeRacer99]

Jason, When you get the chance check your PM's.;)

Hey Dave, I did check on Friday or maybe it was yesterday, they tend to run together...lol
Thanks!