I just bought an old Mercury with serial # 141376 model# KD-4 also an old Sears with # 401-25166 on motor and # M 2A stamped on Tillotson carb. Can anyone tell me what year these were manufactured? ANY other info? Thank you, Erik
This model was painted "Dull Aluminum."
Model & serial numbers were on a plate riveted to the starboard side of the leg just below the powerhead.
Serial numbers 95318 through 124298 are 1946 models.
Serial numbers 131388 through 240838 are 1947 models.
The KD-4 is said to be a 6HP motor. However, Mercury was known for under-rating their HP or rating at less than optimum RPM’s…..so your opinion as to its power compared to other 6HP motors may vary.
Be careful handling the KD4. It is very top heavy and will actually fall over on its clamp bracket, if not clamped onto something and put at a slight angle. A lot of plain bearings it it; so run 16:1 ratio oil. "Full-jeweled" wasn’t a thing, yet. Good running, yet funky-looking, man-cave motor.
Hi Lee,
Although the (kindly) provided Wizard 1949-1954 WF4/WG4 parts illustrations will be helpful with some components, there are however some differences in the cowl, exhaust, mid-section, and the magneto (totally different). The lower unit does have bushing bearings, the powerhead does have needle bearings through-out (as pictured). Crankshaft oil seals may be wise to replace.
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