Originally Posted by
lilabner
When I worked for a Mercury dealer in 1958 we took in a few KF-9's and KG-9's. My boss didn't want them and gave them to me to play with. The only gear drive was a KF-9, also had the chrome rope start flywheel. The KG-9's were belt drive with recoil starters. As I understand it, GEARS WERE USED ON KF9 ENGINES BELOW SERIAL NO. 377323.
I am sure that through the years of yore, things weren't as books say they were. My boss told me KF-9's were gear and KG-9's were belt. They made both in 1950, but no more KF-9's in 1951. The KG-9-QS came out in 1951, and the KG-9-H came out in 1953. The Mark 40 and Mark 40-H came out in 1954. No more KG-9's in 1954. No 40-H in 1956. Interestingly, the QS and H versions were only $25.00 more. The Mark 55-H was only $35.00 more than the Mark 55 in 1955. In 1957 the 55-H was $640.00 and the Mark 55 was $645.00.
Prices are out of the 1960 Blue Book. No info before 1949.