Missing Inline 6 history

[kspradling]

Hi,

I've got a '66 1100SS that I can find almost no information on. There is a bunch of info on the earlier/later models. Can anyone enlighten me as to why they were only built two years? Most of the historical info I read discusses the 1000 and pretty much skips up to the 1250BP and later direct charge engines. No mention of the 950 either (which appears to be a 1000) during this time period. Was this around the time of the sale to Brunswick?

Thanks!

Kirk

:confused:

[Mark75H]

Just as simple as not being able to squeeze 110 out of the 89 and have it meet the warranty/accouting equation. 4 more cubes and it was safe from the accountants and share holders.


The sale to Brunswick was well over by then, but internal personel shuffling was still going on. Nothing to do with hardware.

Regarding the history gap: the 100 hp made big news since it was the first 100 hp production outboard, so a lot is made of it, even today. Bumping the motor to 93 and 110hp is a side note along the way, not major news. Merc's return to racing after a 10 year absence got a lot of excitement and that money was well spent....they still get a return on that investment.

[Clams Canino]

Let me add to that, that having a "strange bore" and "mungrel ignition" didn't serve to make them very accepted in the long haul.

Kinda the "redheaded stepchildren" of the inlines. :)

-W

[CrayzKirk]

Ok... nothing special to anyone but me, I guess! I was eight years old when my dad (rip) bought the one I have now. Couldn't really afford it so he told my mother he had the black and white '63 850 repainted. I learned to ski behind it and have a lot of very fond memories.

:D

I resemble the redheaded stepchild remark and my girlfriend is a strawberry blonde so watch out!


;)

Kirk

[Mark75H]

As I recall only one year has the goofy (and expensive to repair) point/CD ignition, the other year has std.

Again, something that makes them a little less desireable....they aren't exactly the same.

As far as being accepted.........in their time they were king of the hill, probably 10's of thousands of them were made each year; it just didn't last long.

Rather than "accepted" I think Wayne meant "desireable"

[Clams Canino]

Agreed.

-W



Originally posted by Mark75H

Rather than "accepted" I think Wayne meant "desireable" [/B]

[CrayzKirk]

Yeah, I've got the oddball ignition. The 650 uses the same pistons and rods so parts aren't too hard to come by. I have two of them and am rebuilding one from 66 & 67 parts with 68 ignition system. In many ways, the old Mercs are like a Small Block Chevy; lots of parts match up to lots of engines.

I'm guessing the increased piston area probably caused some excessive heat problems and was dropped in favor of the longer stroke. Its all about turning the prop and a longer stroke will give you more torque. That was probably the easiest way to get up to the 100ci limit for that racing class.

I was hoping for some interesting reason as to their history. Just a little diversion that was forgotten when the 1250 came out in '68. Once the direct charge motors came out in 70, the era of the crossflow inline six came to an end.

I guess I wrote my own history!

Thanks and don't worry, my skin is pretty thick! It had to be; I grew up in the Chevy generation driving a '67 Mustang!

Kirk

[Crosby1000]

I love the fact that your dad said he repainted the old motor! My late father bought his 59 Crosby with a Mark75 back in 1960 before my parents were married...my Mom never made him sell it even during lean times (or maybe he just refused who knows) and to this day myself and all my (male) cousins who grew up around the boat think my Mom is pretty cool for putting up with his boat hobby. Years ago my father asked a neighbour to drive the boat straight across the lake to the ramp so he could drive around with the car and trailer, he arrived driving very slowly....said it wouldn't go even though it was wide open...the guy made the motor cavitate going on plane and just left it floored. By the time he got across the lake the engine had over revved so badly it seized. My father went to the local Marina and bought the only motor they had. A mix match of parts. I have the original bill from 1967 for $500 (for a 5 year old motor!) A 62 1000. We used it every summer and the block still has the wires on the bolts, never been apart. Amazing considering a 62 was a first year model, they must have done a lot of development testing.