Mercury Through The Years...

**FUJIMO** · 03-08-2022, 11:23 AM

**FUJIMO** · 03-08-2022, 12:24 PM

**FUJIMO** · 03-08-2022, 12:33 PM

...e.c. kiekhaefer, age 32, starting his company, with correcting an inventory of approximately 500 sea-king/thor outboards, by creating & installing replacement, better designed float-type carburetors & other improvements, to ship to montgomery wards/chicago, circa 1939...

**FUJIMO** · 03-08-2022, 12:34 PM

**FUJIMO** · 03-08-2022, 12:35 PM

**FUJIMO** · 03-08-2022, 01:05 PM

...kiekhaefer aeromarine to mercury racing - plant 36 - fred kiekhaefer... https://youtu.be/PRb9x1dEa1U

**FUJIMO** · 03-08-2022, 07:15 PM

**Tom Smyth** · 03-08-2022, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by FUJIMO

Fuji you coming to Tavares ??

**WaterZebra** · 03-09-2022, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

There is a lot more going on in this picture-------

But ECK insisted that every racing unit--especially the BP --follow this procedure--

I don't remember ever having enough time to do this---

Attachment 501921

What do you mean by "a lot going on here"?
Breaking in SSM racing lower units was a pain in the ass for us racers. Nobody wanted us backed down any ramp running an engine for 20 minutes. Mercury had their own private compound for this while the rest of us underlings didn't. Even if you had the time to break in on the trailer you might not have a chance to change lube before racing. With all their $$$ invested in racing product facilities, I'm dumbfounded that Merc Racing didn't have a test tank for break in powered by an electric motor of some sort.

I betcha if the break in tank idea had been suggested to ECK he would have built one.

**Lake X Kid** · 03-09-2022, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by GENE LANHAM

You were in Aviation for years-Roy

Most people have no idea that it is SO expensive-

Attachment 501935

12 years ago when I was at Robinson Helicopter, we were purchasing the Six cylinder engine for about $40K each.
And that was with the discount of buying on average about Eight or more Lycoming engines a week.

Here is the R44 (made in America, 4 seater with the 6 cylinder engine) working at the boat races.

Click image for larger version.

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**FUJIMO** · 03-09-2022, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Smyth

Fuji you coming to Tavares ??

...no. did mt. dora for 30+ years. couple years of tavares. have fun...

**WaterZebra** · 03-09-2022, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by Lake X Kid

12 years ago when I was at Robinson Helicopter, we were purchasing the Six cylinder engine for about $40K each.
And that was with the discount of buying on average about Eight or more Lycoming engines a week.

Here is the R44 (made in America, 4 seater with the 6 cylinder engine) working at the boat races.

Aviation quality control standards, testing and certification are not cheap but also necessary.