What is this thing, attached to a Mercury KE4 lower unit?

[billw]

At first I thought it was some kind of home grown patch, but then I noticed that the casting fits the lower unit perfectly. Any ideas what it is, or was?

Long live American manufacturing!

[David Bartlett]

Bill,

Mercury’s are not my thing, outside of the auto tranny models, so I have nothing to offer except curiosity like you!

David Bartlett
Pine Tree Boating Club Chapter

"I don't fully understand everything I know!"

[green-thumbs]

My first guess is it may be a “repair” for a gearcase with damaged water pump cover threads or damaged case.
Clever native craftmanship NOT
factory. OR maybe something else. You may be in market for an as As made by Kiekhaefer
gear case assembly if you open
this can of worms up.
KE4/Mark 7 are fairly common so parts are out there. Rarest
old Merc is one that has all
its original parts in their
correct places,
opinion with no cash value
Louis

[Waunnaboat]

That is almost definitely not factory to my knowledge, and I highly doubt that any sort of aftermarket part manufacturer would put those non-hydrodynamic u-brackets on their motors unless it is specifically designed for stripped threads.  Probably just a very well made home repair.

"Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

[dave-bernard]

MY thoughts it is a hookup for a water hose for flushing.

[Waunnaboat]

dave-bernard wrote:

MY thoughts it is a hookup for a water hose for flushing.

That would make the most sense, but I do not see anywhere to hook up a hose from the pictures.

"Outboards seem to multiply exponentially..........I find that for every finished project, there are two more waiting to be completed."

[dave-bernard]

would be on the other side

[billw]

The casting, removed. Water intake holes drilled through it.  It is a beautifully cast and machined piece, if homemade. The aft end of the gear case seems fine. Not at all broken like a Typical Mark 6.

Long live American manufacturing!

[Fastwin18]

Could it be meant to keep fishing gear or weed from entangling the propshaft?

[Sam M.]

Maybe it was made by someone who knew that many older Mercury lower units are susceptible to breakage, so they make this piece to add strength and rigidity to the lower unit in attempt to prevent damage.

Another idea:  Does it act as a spacer between the propeller and gearbox?  If so, maybe something was wrong with the original propeller shaft and a longer shaft was available, so this was used to fill the gap.

Fastwin 18, good idea!

No matter what it is, it is certainly interesting enough to warrant being re-installed on the motor, in my opinion 😁

[Author]

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