Topic: Odd Mercury KE4? – Antique Outboard Motor Club,Inc

This topic has 30 replies, 15 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 2 months ago by John Friesch.

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February 3, 2020 at 10:20 pm #193896
John Friesch
Participant
US Member - 2 Years
I picked up a Mercury KE4 being scrapped by an outboard repair shop. S/N 2173?3. So an early model. What is odd is there is a twist grip throttle that advances the ignition, transom clamps that look really beefy and a bracket in the back of the motor for resting on the ground

Is this a modified motor?

Thank you

John
- This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by John Friesch.
- This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by John Friesch.
- This topic was modified 4 years, 2 months ago by John Friesch.
February 3, 2020 at 10:45 pm #193903
kirkp
Participant
I’ll be the first to stick my foot in my mouth.
– I believe the twist throttle was a after market accessory.
– The transom clamps look they could be off a Mark 5.
– can you take a picture of the back bracket?

I’m sure someone will come along and provide correct/more info
kirk
February 4, 2020 at 12:05 am #193905
John Friesch
Participant
US Member - 2 Years
Thank you for the reply. I’ve attached a somewhat poor picture of the rear bracket. I will not be able to get better pictures for several weeks.
February 4, 2020 at 2:18 am #193909
frankr
Participant
US Member
I am very far from being a Mercury expert, but that throttle gizmo looks too professional to be a back-yard creation. It took some creativity to make those castings. The rear carrying handle does look strangely familiar. Maybe a proto-type? I dunno.
February 4, 2020 at 5:41 am #193912
billw
Participant
US Member - 2 Years
I have a throttle set up like that, that came off a KE7. Definitely aftermarket but I don’t know the manufacturer. My bet on the transom clamp handles is that they were “home made,” but by someone with talent. I agree with Frank that the back rest looks familiar. It looks kind of Martin-like but that is just a wild-ass guess. Wow, all the accessories on that thing make it worth about tens times what a normal, bottom-cowlless KE4 would be worth! Nice score.

Long live American manufacturing!
February 4, 2020 at 11:04 am #193934
dave-bernard
Participant
US Member
throttle and rear handle are aftermarket. clamp handles not mercury.
February 4, 2020 at 11:05 am #193935
squierka39
Participant
US Member
The twist throttle was an aftermarket accessorie, there is an article in the Antique Outboarder about them. The rear handle was also an accessorie, it might have been sold be Mercury I’m not sure. That’s a nice one to have.
February 4, 2020 at 11:37 am #193936
The Boat House
Participant
February 4, 2020 at 12:16 pm #193938
Buccaneer
Participant
US Member
Really neat…….. now everyone is going to want one now!

Prepare to be boarded!
February 4, 2020 at 6:28 pm #193961
green-thumbs
Participant
US Member - 2 Years
Mercury Parts Catalog serial number range for KE4 initial series
is 214324 thru 258220. Some of the early series have KD cylindrs,
pistons and water jackets with a formed and welded steel
bracket to adapt tank ring to water jacket.
The rear handle may be an attempt to emulate the same feature
on KF5, KG4 KF7 and KG7 of same vintage. KG4 is an optional
feature while those on KF5,KF7 and KG7 are part of tank ring.
Louis
Mark 7 with serial numbers within the KE4 serial number ranges are
not uncommon and may have been KE4 models that were converted
after Mark was adopted,
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