Re: mercury power
Cleve, Before the Gov't intervened with regulation, Merc used to understate the power of their motors. This in conjunction with their lead in building the larger motors (70-80-90-100HP inline sixes in the early sixties) gave the impression that Merc's had more power across the range of motors and years. The gap shrunk in the late sixties, but advertising doesn't worry about truth. Merc also squeezed a bit more HP out of less displacement(ie 99Cu in inline six w/150HP). This contributed to the legend. In actuality, the OMC 140HP 90 degreeV4 may have been the best motor ever made, pound for pound.
Today regulations require that HP be within 10% of stated. If you look at the design of the late model motors, OMC and Merc produce very similar motors in basic design. ie newer OMC V6 motors are 60 degree with six carbs. Mercs have 60 degree V6s with 3 2BBL carbs. They both are pretty close in displacement for common HP models. OMC makes a V4(90-115HP) of the same design, however, merc has an inline four in that HP range. Lower HP motors are all inlines for both manufacturers.
