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Bill, the link that Dale posted shows a KB3 with rewind, and sadly, cowlings
that I don’t have.Dale, it looks it will end up another “dull” outboard…… dull silver that is!
Thanks for the link!
I knew I should have looked it up before I opened my big mouth (so-to-speak!) Well, that is good to know! I hadn’t realized they were that sexy, pre-war.
Long live American manufacturing!
If convenient , could you take and post photos of front area of lower half of fuel tan and also of area where cowl (carburetor cover) fastens to cylinder, That could give some more information about your KB-3 Thanks Louis
Louis, I’ll try to remember to take a better photo of the front, lower gas tank area.
Here’s the powerhead though, and what I presume to be a cowl mount on
one side.On a side note, I was gifted a KB1A Mercury today, and in looking at the model list,
it looks like it’s also a 1941, but it the Tillotson carb, and no rewind…… no cowls either,
but at this point, not sure it’s suppose to have them.
Confused at this point what the differences are suppose to be in the 3.2 hp Models in 1941.
Prepare to be boarded!
KB-1A was the Standard model,,, no frills
KB-3 was the Deluxe model rewind, cowl, spark plug cover and the rubber wedge between tank and spark plug cover,
Early in 1941 production there was a KB-1 single with poppet valve, KB-1A had carburetor with cam on magneto plate linking spark advance to throttle opening. KB-1, KB-1A were intended to have the PreWar pattern cast aluminum fuel tanks. By mid summer 1941, restrictions on use of aluminum led to KB-1 model being dropped and KB-A to change to a new pattern stamped steel fuel tank,
KB-2 Streamline model has steel sheet metal cowling is uncommon and even more so if all the sheet metal is present.
Your KB-3 has the correct 4 stud fuel tanl and has the hex mounting studs SO I believe it had the extras when it left the factory. A possible explanation for the RED paint is to make it stand our…LOTS outboards were stolen and Mercury provided stolen motors lists to its dealers in hopes that all motors brought in for service would have its serial numbers would be checked, It is not uncommon to see a deep scratch on an ID plate obscuring the serial numbers. Boat livery might also give their outboards a stand out color to keep the customer honest. It appears that front mounting studs have non original spacers or fasteners. The standard of workmanship outside factory varied…missing, butchered or wrong fasteners indicate low level of skill by mechanic .
What would I do with your KB-1A and KB-3? My usual method is to tear down, clean, evaluate condition of parts, prime, paint and assemble what you have and keep looking for cown, spark plug cover and the rubber wedge. Correct fasteners may not be available, but, there is not much easier than replacing fasteners. I do things this way, because there is not much more depressing that a grungy down on its luck Little Merc. Likewise, a freshly painted and assembled Little Merc is a very compelling reason to find the parts and finish the job. About 80% of job is tear down and cleaning, prime and paint. The rest is FUN. Louis
The rubber wedge fills the space between bottom of tank and top of spark plug cover. I believe they are being reproduced.
KB-1 was entry level Special, KB-1A was Standard and KB-3 Was top of line Deluxe. KB-3 had two screw transom clamp while the Special and Standard models had the single screw fabricated steel transom clamp.
Photos show 1940 and a 1941 single powerhead
Front view of KB-3
Top and front view of a KB-1A with a mixed tan… top of rewind KB-3 and bottom from a KB-1A which does not have the chin because it las a rope start without cowl. Possibly factory mix, but, I picked it up as parts.
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