Home Forum Ask A Member Merc KE4

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  • #253921
    DAN UMBARGER
    Participant

      US Member

      I picked up a Merc KE 4 a few years ago and am finally getting to it. Has 120 lbs compression on both cylinders but no spark. Can anyone point me in the right direction for an online parts book and service manual? Want to pull the flywheel but since I have NEVER been into an older Merc I don’t want to break anything. I will be needing some minor parts but don’t want to sink a lot of time and money into it before I get it running. Also…what gear oil is being used in them…Hypoid 90 or Cornhead grease? The stuff that came out is dark brown and very thick.

      #253924
      dave-bernard
      Participant

        US Member

        they are points nothing hard. use corn head grease in the lower.

        1 914 310 7086.

        #253930
        Tubs
        Participant


          The brown gear oil could indicate its been sitting
          a long time as it hasn’t been available for decades.
          The compressing readings are also an indicator that
          it could be a low hour’s motor that has spent most
          of its life just sitting. How does it look cosmetically?
          Still sitting takes its toll. Coils may have disintegrated
          explaining your loss of spark. You could have one of
          2 magnetos. Coils are no longer available for either
          but later ones can be substituted with a little effort.
          Coils aren’t expensive. As low as $15.00 each. The
          impeller should be checked. Its most likely has
          taken a set and could just break apart if you were to
          use it. I know they are available for $50.00. You may
          be able to find one for less. Then there is the crankshaft
          and gear case seals. Is the motor worth it? I have a
          1953 Mark 7. As I understand it, it’s just a later version
          of your KE 4. It had a 1959 Ohio registration tag on it.
          I believe that was the last time it was run. I put OMC
          style coils in it, crankshaft seals, and found an
          NOS impeller for $40.00. Its doing 19 + mph in the
          video. It sounds like its doing 100. It hit 20 occasionally.
          It adds up but I believe what I put in this motor was well
          worth it. If it wouldn’t be worth that to you pass it on.
          Somebody surely would like to have it.
          Tubs

          https://youtu.be/rXy43dZuPNg
          https://youtu.be/OxPHe8EPe1Q

          A "Boathouse Repair" is one thats done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

          #253940
          DAN UMBARGER
          Participant

            US Member

            Thanks Tubs and Dave for your responses. Got the flywheel off and it has a scintilla ignition. Cleaned the points and now I have spark using the spark plug but not with my spark checker…probably a little weak. Was a real bear taking the prop off but now I can’t see if the water pump cover threads in or what. Don’t have a deep enough spanner wrench to try to break it loose. Does it thread in? Will fill the gearcase with cornhead grease,clean the carb then try to start.

            #253941
            Boonie
            Participant

              Canada Member

              This is what Tubs recommended to me for my Mark 5. Finished it yesterday. Haven’t checked for spark yet.

              #253943
              Boonie
              Participant

                Canada Member

                To much dang snow to move before I get back to the shop to test it.

                #253945
                DAN UMBARGER
                Participant

                  US Member

                  Great job Boonie…yours is the Phelon ignition…mine is Scintilla….completely different. Once I get this water pump checked out I’ll be in better shape. Good luck on yours.

                  #253946
                  Boonie
                  Participant

                    Canada Member

                    But this cold winter weather does make it good for hard water fishing!!

                    #253947
                    dave-bernard
                    Participant

                      US Member

                      water pump cover is left handed threads.

                      • This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by dave-bernard.
                      • This reply was modified 3 years, 11 months ago by dave-bernard.
                      #253951
                      Bob Wight
                      Participant

                        US Member

                        Left hand threads would be righty loosey, lefty tighty, no?

                        Bob

                        1937 Champion D2C Deluxe Lite Twin
                        1954 Johnson CD-11
                        1955 Johnson QD-16
                        1957 Evinrude Fastwin 18
                        1957 Evinrude 3022
                        1958 Johnson QD-19
                        1958 Johnson FD-12
                        1959 Johnson QD-20

                        “Every 20 minute job is only a broken bolt away from a 3-day project.”
                        "Every time you remove a broken or seized bolt an angel gets his wings."

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