Merc V6 History

[rckid74]

Thanks so much rckid74 for the design history of this awesome engine!!! I just read this whole thread and loved it. Before buying my checkmate that has a 1987 150 Mariner, I had never had any experience with mercury engines. My only previous experience with outboard engines was a mid 70s chrysler 75hp that I thought was a POS (apologies to any chrysler fans out there). Most of the people I knew that had limited experience with outboards were all johnson/evenrude fans and frowned on my recent purchase. This engine ran like a scalded ape! I still have this boat and the engine still has 120 psi on all the cylinders. I love the electronics being on the stb side of the engine with the fuel lines on the port side. This way I can work on the electronics only or the fuel only depending on which side I work on. I do think the mercury plate looks cool between the cylinders but I have to say I like the 6 coil ignition system. Working on this engine I have always felt that who ever designed this put a lot of thought into it. To here the original engineer describe the design process was awesome! I'm not sure if you made the spring design on the oil injection pump but I was happy to learn that when my linkage had fallen off (due to improper re-assembly) the spring forces the oil injection pump into the max oil position so that you can't burn up your engine if running full throttle and the linkage comes off. I only learned that the linkage had come off after noticing my oil consumption was above normal.

Thanks again for sharing your story and applaud you on a great design!!!

Thanks,
Jim

Thank you Jim. It's always good to hear from someone who has enjoyed their Black Max. I've never owned one myself -- can you believe that??
I was more of a sailboat guy.
BTW -- I'm not exactly sure but I don't think the original V6 had oil injection, and I was off the project shortly after it started production.

[transomstand]

I was more of a sailboat guy.

Eeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuwwww

[rckid74]

Eeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuwwww

Transomstand --- you are henceforth banned from reading any more entries in this thread.

[Dave Strong]

Transomstand --- you are henceforth banned from reading any more entries in this thread.

LOL

Daven

[transomstand]

Can the bunny still read it??

[Dave S]

can any say first V4 looper.....merc 1953 pfi... offset crank..3.5 bore.... HeHee

[Dave Strong]

Can the bunny still read it??

Jusr when a guy thought the bunny was gone, he appears.

Dave

[powerabout]

84 was first oiler i think
Was also many changes to materials so they were finally suitable for saltwater.

[Dave Strong]

83-84 first of the oil inj.

Dave

[rckid74]

Can the bunny still read it??


Bunnies excepted!! -------------- Nice Motor!!!

Bunnies excepted!! ---------------- Nice motor!!!

[Euroski]

Can the bunny still read it??

Shouldn't bunnies be hibernating by now?

[transomstand]

Shouldn't bunnies be hibernating by now?

I think he is......

[oldawg]

As an old Merc dealer wrench who started out back when we still had customers with 6 cylinders asking "but how do you get neutral?" I have very much enjoyed hearing the story of the birth of the Black Max. Thanks for a pleasant trip down memory lane.

[FMP]

I read an interesting story about a small but well financed group of German gear heads (Heinkel group) who in the 60's built some very good v6 loopers. I believe no more than a few. These engines were boxed up and sent to Oshkosh WI during that time. I think they went over big but Mr.K was very happy with the L6 and the program was mothballed for later consideration.

[jackiewilson]

Son Mark finally got hold of one of the early Kiekhaefer Mercury Cast Aluminium Outboard Stands.
Its for "Old Blue" .