Merc V6 History

**warrior74z** · 04-09-2007, 01:50 PM

Was anyone out there connected with Merc Marine when the V6 was being developed and can share some knowledge on the history of the original Black Max. Its been 31 years now since the production model first appeared.

**JFL** · 04-23-2007, 09:03 PM

I was and have some parts from then.

**AirRide** · 11-24-2009, 09:10 AM

To The Top for V-6 Merc History...

**rdmerhar** · 05-23-2020, 09:46 PM

Do you still have 3.4 parts?

**Zonkercraft** · 05-24-2020, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by rdmerhar

Do you still have 3.4 parts?

Please check your PM's

**mk30h** · 11-24-2009, 06:55 PM

When did the design work commence? What were the rejected competing designs at Merc/ Was there thoughts of a inline 6 looper, V4 looper etc. This should be interesting.
I know that Merc had worked on V designs before OMC back in the late 40's early 50's.

**rckid74** · 05-09-2013, 12:39 PM

Testing reply

**RBT** · 05-09-2013, 02:38 PM

This would be a neat thread if we ever could get it going.

**rckid74** · 05-09-2013, 03:38 PM

Yea, I've tried three times to post my comments and they get rejected every time. This will probably go thru.

**Dave S** · 05-12-2013, 06:43 PM

sorry 1952.....

**Dave S** · 05-12-2013, 06:42 PM

HaaHaa First merc looper... V4 drone....Fuel injeted... offset crank jornels..looper....shot down in the air at 265 mph....1962..... heehee....

**rckid74** · 05-12-2013, 08:23 PM

The V6 that the Chrysler/Force group built was a direct copy of the Merc V6 and occured somewhat later than 1971. --- That engine now resides at the auto museum at Hartford, WI. You'll also find probably the only existing Mercury personal water craft (Jet ski) there too. I did the engine design on that also.

**rckid74** · 06-26-2013, 09:35 PM

My name is Jerry Hale and I was project engineer for Mercury's (Black Max) 2 liter V6. Just to authenticate my position there, you can look up the following patents which are in my name (actually in the name of ("David Jerry Hale"), I go by my middle name. Patent #4,092,958 (Internal Combustion Engine), patent #4,066,057 (Cylinder Head Mounting Apparatus for Internal Combustion Engines), and patent #4,082,068 (V-Engine Cooling System particularly for Outboard Motors and the like), all assigned to Brunswick Corp and all pertaining to the V6.
There seems to be some interest in just how this engine came about so I thought that, before Alzheimer's sets in, I had better get down on paper just what happened back there 43 years ago. I intend to do this in small weekly installments or as nearly weekly as I can manage.
The project was started in Jan. of 1970 at Mercurys outboard engineering plant #6 in Oshkosh, WI. The inital study, as presented to me, was to determine the best configuration; inline, V, or opposed and how many cylinders. It was to be a looper with 2 liters displacement capable of being bored for another 10% increase, have a diecast block, and was to have the lightest weight and smallest package size possible. The max power was to be at least 10% above the 1350 (135HP) inline six then in production, i.e., 150HP. (more later)

**FUJIMO** · 06-27-2013, 06:16 AM

Originally Posted by rckid74

My name is Jerry Hale and I was project engineer for Mercury's (Black Max) 2 liter V6. Just to authenticate my position there, you can look up the following patents which are in my name (actually in the name of ("David Jerry Hale"), I go by my middle name. Patent #4,092,958 (Internal Combustion Engine), patent #4,066,057 (Cylinder Head Mounting Apparatus for Internal Combustion Engines), and patent #4,082,068 (V-Engine Cooling System particularly for Outboard Motors and the like), all assigned to Brunswick Corp and all pertaining to the V6.
There seems to be some interest in just how this engine came about so I thought that, before Alzheimer's sets in, I had better get down on paper just what happened back there 43 years ago. I intend to do this in small weekly installments or as nearly weekly as I can manage.
The project was started in Jan. of 1970 at Mercurys outboard engineering plant #6 in Oshkosh, WI. The inital study, as presented to me, was to determine the best configuration; inline, V, or opposed and how many cylinders. It was to be a looper with 2 liters displacement capable of being bored for another 10% increase, have a diecast block, and was to have the lightest weight and smallest package size possible. The max power was to be at least 10% above the 1350 (135HP) inline six then in production, i.e., 150HP. (more later)

This is Great! Welcome Jerry! Cannnot wait to hear your next contribution, regarding the 122/60 degree. Thank-You.