Mercury Through The Years...

**Dave S** · 01-31-2021, 04:26 PM

Die casting..... Mk 50 block was sand cast..... leg and gearcase was diecast.......MK 55 all.. die........Merc musta bought more machines or ran it 24/7......

**Mark75H** · 01-31-2021, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Dave S

Die casting..... Mk 50 block was sand cast..... leg and gearcase was diecast.......MK 55 all.. die........Merc musta bought more machines or ran it 24/7......

Yeah, delivery of this machine explains why the Mk 50 was a partial year offering. I'm betting it ran 24/7 to pay for itself and it wasn't long before they got more.

**FUJIMO** · 01-31-2021, 08:05 PM

**FUJIMO** · 01-31-2021, 10:42 PM

**bernie** · 02-01-2021, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Mark75H

Yeah, delivery of this machine explains why the Mk 50 was a partial year offering. I'm betting it ran 24/7 to pay for itself and it wasn't long before they got more.

Die Casting today - hold my beer! https://www.boatingmag.com/mercury-m...north-america/

**FUJIMO** · 02-01-2021, 11:28 AM

**Capt.Insane-o** · 02-01-2021, 01:08 PM

little rubbin is racin' there.

**Robby321** · 02-01-2021, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by bernie

Die Casting today - hold my beer! https://www.boatingmag.com/mercury-m...north-america/

Hope not going back to no removable heads like old IL6's! (Kidding)

"and stronger parts, so a single part can replace three smaller parts that used to be bolted together with gaskets"

**bernie** · 02-01-2021, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Robby321

Hope not going back to no removable heads like old IL6's! (Kidding)

"and stronger parts, so a single part can replace three smaller parts that used to be bolted together with gaskets"

Think about 4 stroke vs 2 stroke block - no ports in the cylinder walls, so no need for intake or exhaust covers. Multiple extra parts not reuired to bolt numerous covers on. One head casting needed - 2 per motor, purchase the cams, gears, valves, springs, etc. Like that tranny for GM - 280 a day - thats a lot of $$$ in MM's pocket.

**Mark75H** · 02-01-2021, 07:04 PM

Merc has the reputation for special aluminum casting. They made the double overhead cam motor for the Corvette in Oklahoma

**Lake X Kid** · 02-02-2021, 03:28 PM

Designed by Lotus Engineering for General Motors,in 1988 the LT-5 was an all-aluminum 5.7 liter small-block V8 featuring radical 32-valve dual overhead cam heads; it generated 375hp and was hand-built by Mercury’s MerCruiser division in Stillwater, Okla. For the 1993 model year, horsepower was bumped to 405 with cam timing and engine porting changes. Further proof of MerCruiser’s production proficiency occurred when the LT-5 was awarded the automaker’s most demanding quality certification — GP3 Level 1 — the first GM engine ever to earn it.

The LT-5 became the most celebrated Corvette engine of all time, accumulating records along the way. In 1991, a slightly modified ZR-1, with a “bone stock” LT-5, broke three world endurance records at the Firestone test track in Fort Stockton, Texas. A team of drivers headed by Tommy Morrison broke the 24-hour endurance mark set in 1940 by almost 15 miles per hour, traveling 4,221.26 miles at an average speed of 175.885 mph. Two years later, a MerCruiser-branded ZR-1 took the checkered flag in the 24-hour World Challenge race in Mosport, Canada, with another ZR-1 finishing second.
~~~
The Mercury Legacy.
https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...car%20pairings.

**bernie** · 02-02-2021, 04:39 PM

The "Wetvette" was stolen up in Canada as was the truck, trailer, and matching Corvette. The truck, trailer, and car were found if I remember right, but the boat was never found.