What exactly is a Black Max?

**Krazymaan** · 08-01-2017, 11:49 PM

What is the key difference between a black max and a non black max?
I see some for sale as old as 82. Didn't even know they went that far back.
All Black Max's are clamshells right? I dunno.
So throw away the shroud and what am i going to see that screams black max?

**CHICKENHAWK** · 08-01-2017, 11:55 PM

More like mid to late 70's.

**Bigtard** · 08-02-2017, 01:13 AM

I'm certainly no authority, but i always thought they were just the first merc V6s?

**tlwjkw** · 08-02-2017, 04:44 AM

"marketing"

shoulda called mariners "gray max"........

http://www.startribune.com/chart-tim...ary/242504931/

**transomstand** · 08-02-2017, 05:40 AM

Gray Max.....For seniors????

I see Black Max posted here all the time as if it is used as some means to identify an engine. Pretty much all non HP V-6 Mercs have that marketing designation so it is totally useless term for that purpose. Even the guy who designed the engine thought the term was ridiculously hokey.

To me, when somebody uses that term to describe a motor, it serves only to identify the user as a complete rookie

**HStream1** · 08-02-2017, 06:14 AM

Black Max was a mercury advertising Gimmick. There was a Guy pictured on most all V6 flyers that had Black hair and beard his advertising name was Black Max. At the bottom of the flyer was a picture of the Black Max emblem.

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**transomstand** · 08-02-2017, 06:23 AM

I met that guy at a dealer meeting in 1977, it was probably the high point of my boating career.

**XstreamVking** · 08-02-2017, 06:29 AM

I was a black max in the 70's/80's, now I run in the silver mode.....

**tlwjkw** · 08-02-2017, 06:32 AM

"seniors huh"....... jus prematurely gray!

**tlwjkw** · 08-02-2017, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by transomstand

was probably the high point of my boating career.

**XstreamVking** · 08-02-2017, 06:38 AM

When I used to rig the motors with the black max guy on them, I added a smoking, cigar/joint to the emblem. Everyone knew who rigged that boat. Corny I know, but rigging gets boring....

**Krazymaan** · 08-02-2017, 07:01 AM

I was merely curious because sometimes i see people post stuff for sale and say its for a black max, wasn't quite sure if the parts are the same as other motors or not so I always steer clear of anything that says black max being i have no idea if the parts are the same.
kinda like the triple 2.5 Bridgeports for sale

over in the motor section.

**tlwjkw** · 08-02-2017, 07:27 AM

don't think i've ever seen tha "badge" ona hi perf. motor but that don't mean nothin'..

those three, if original (hrs. make 'em questionable), are at very latest would be '92 2.5 245's... pumpers.. someone added added a mech fuel pumps.. but they are very, very clean older motors ta say tha least....... not a bad price if nic is still good.