Before you begin reading this thread, please be aware that several mistakes were made but I made no attempt to go back and fix the original post because often the mistake wasn't found until three or for posts later. Instead, I've opted to make it more like a blog and just let you know when I decided something wasn't right and write about what I did to correct it. Don't try anything here until you read past it a bit to see if it's actually worked out like I planned. Thanks, Steve..
Scope - The FrankenMerc Project will be fun. It will consist of building a Mercury Outboard motor from parts found on eBay and other OEM vendors. When necesssary new Mercury Quicksilver parts will be purchased.
The chosen platform is merc's 60 degree V-6 between 1989 and 1996. A 60 degree engine simply means that the angle of separation between the port and starboard banks is 60 degrees. It can also refer to the fact that a 6 cylinder engine has a piston at TDC every 60 degrees but that makes it hard to discern between a inline 6 and a V-6. Unless you are referring to timing, the term 60 degree engine should mean its a V-6 in the Merc World.
As with all well managed projects, you should always plan a kick off meeting and this meeting is being kicked off with a case of Cheez-It's.. Well not exactly.
Inside the box was a set of 6, Mercury rods and pistons. The casting number on the rods is 636-8118. According to boats.net parts lookup, these rods were used in V-6 2.0L engines from 1976 through 1992. These are what are known as bottom guided rods.
In this picture, two of the rods and piston sets are already in the carb cleaner tank, one is pre soaking in SeaFoam and the other three shown are waiting their turn. I will demonstrate breaking down a rod/piston when I get to the last piston. It's not all that exciting or difficult but there are a couple of simple things I'll show you to make it easier.
On one side of the rods is the casting number 636-8118. On the other side is a two digit number.Four of the rods have 42 stamped on them one has 41 and the last one has 40 stamped on it. According to my research, these are the weight group numbers and Merc say's that they should only vary by +/- one number in any engine.
Measuring the piston skirts at 1/2" above the bottom of the skirt and at two points, (first aligned with the wrist pin and second 90 deg from that point), I measured 3.371 inches. The pistons skirts on a 135/150 are 3.115 and the 200 is 3.4939 so that means that these rods and piston actually came out of a 175/XR4 or Magnum II.
I had no intention of using the pistons over but I will probably clean them up and re-sell them on ebay.
As for the difference in the weight grouping. I will take the rods to my local machine shop and have them weighed. If the difference is too much then I will either try to find two more 42's or have this set balanced.
The rods and pistons were 76.00, shipping was 29.88 for a total cost of 105.88.
Ordering these rod and piston sets from Merc at the Boats.net discounted price would be 3,972.48 before shipping... WOW.... Yes you can buy new OEM's cheaper but not original Merc replacements and these will be as good as new when we're finished.
Scope - The FrankenMerc Project will be fun. It will consist of building a Mercury Outboard motor from parts found on eBay and other OEM vendors. When necesssary new Mercury Quicksilver parts will be purchased.
The chosen platform is merc's 60 degree V-6 between 1989 and 1996. A 60 degree engine simply means that the angle of separation between the port and starboard banks is 60 degrees. It can also refer to the fact that a 6 cylinder engine has a piston at TDC every 60 degrees but that makes it hard to discern between a inline 6 and a V-6. Unless you are referring to timing, the term 60 degree engine should mean its a V-6 in the Merc World.
As with all well managed projects, you should always plan a kick off meeting and this meeting is being kicked off with a case of Cheez-It's.. Well not exactly.
Inside the box was a set of 6, Mercury rods and pistons. The casting number on the rods is 636-8118. According to boats.net parts lookup, these rods were used in V-6 2.0L engines from 1976 through 1992. These are what are known as bottom guided rods.
In this picture, two of the rods and piston sets are already in the carb cleaner tank, one is pre soaking in SeaFoam and the other three shown are waiting their turn. I will demonstrate breaking down a rod/piston when I get to the last piston. It's not all that exciting or difficult but there are a couple of simple things I'll show you to make it easier.
On one side of the rods is the casting number 636-8118. On the other side is a two digit number.Four of the rods have 42 stamped on them one has 41 and the last one has 40 stamped on it. According to my research, these are the weight group numbers and Merc say's that they should only vary by +/- one number in any engine.
Measuring the piston skirts at 1/2" above the bottom of the skirt and at two points, (first aligned with the wrist pin and second 90 deg from that point), I measured 3.371 inches. The pistons skirts on a 135/150 are 3.115 and the 200 is 3.4939 so that means that these rods and piston actually came out of a 175/XR4 or Magnum II.
I had no intention of using the pistons over but I will probably clean them up and re-sell them on ebay.
As for the difference in the weight grouping. I will take the rods to my local machine shop and have them weighed. If the difference is too much then I will either try to find two more 42's or have this set balanced.
The rods and pistons were 76.00, shipping was 29.88 for a total cost of 105.88.
Ordering these rod and piston sets from Merc at the Boats.net discounted price would be 3,972.48 before shipping... WOW.... Yes you can buy new OEM's cheaper but not original Merc replacements and these will be as good as new when we're finished.
Last edited:
