why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

[pine island fred]

Latest hull i bought has a 40 hp. mariner, runs good so far on muffs. Anyway, it is a MARINER 40 hp. magnum 92 or 93. Has 4 cylinders. Dont most 40s have 2 cyls, and most up to 90 have 3? Anybody have any idea why merc. went thru all those extra parts and mechining for 40 hp? I do expect it to run smoothe when i get it in the water. regards fred

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

The 4 cylinder config has a reputation of being the best outboard ever made by Mercury/Mariner. Yours is most likely a Magnum or Marathon and they are smooth and bulletproof.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

I second what 460 says. I have the same year and motor. Runs super smooth, starts instantly each and every time and has lots of low end torque. Only negative I can see is that it is a bit of a gas hog.

 

[JB]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

Non-repair topic.

 

[Scali]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

It was once a 50 hp block for years then merc detuned it to make a 40 to save $.<br />I have one, love it but a little thirsty as Rod says.

 

[05GlastronSX]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

i have a 1992 merc 40 4 cylinder ELPTO and wow is that thing ever smooth and quiet. its almost as smooth while idling as my 6 cylinder 150. ive already had a few guys on my lake ask if it was a four stroke because it was so smooth and quiet. i have had it now for almost 2 years and its a great little engine. last year i did not do any wintering or maintenance, and let it sit outside w/ a cover in snow and it started right up the next year. this year it will be sure to get some good care and proper storage. i do not feel like having to rebuild a 4 cyl engine of this size due to the cost...

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

I had the 91 Magnum and it was an ace engine. Great running and quiet too.<br /><br />beginning to wish I hadn't sold it now

 

[Scali]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

I love the way it sounds while cruising about 20 MPH's , sounds like it could go on forever, effortlessly.<br />Interesting factoids about this motor..<br />No thermostat, 4 cylinders, she runs cool, around 120 degrees I believe.<br />Mine has no voltage regulator { 1994 } do a search on how to deal with it.<br />Weight is 177 lbs { not heavy compared to your average 40 } <br />Also she's a cross flow motor { that may account for the so so gas milage }<br />for what it's worth............................

 

[rodbolt]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

cause one cylinder would be a bit rough and they could not justify 6 <br /> actually that 4cyl configuration has been around since at least the 50's.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

Appreciate the response guys. Was afraid i had a morphadite FORCE. Especially happy to hear there is no thermostat as i was considering replacing that while snapping all the cover bolts. Just got the manual for it yesterday. Fuel consumption is not a big problem as trip are 5 miles but often. Run year round. I will have to check the charging system as soon as i can drop it in the water. thanks again fred.

 

[Scali]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

keep an eye on the water level in the battery, use a good marine battery , I run with my running lights on often because mine puts out up to 17 volts assuming yours doesnt have a voltage regulator like mine. Maybe one was added or that year had one ?<br />Mine dont 1994 Merc 40 ..

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

Originally posted by pine island fred:<br /> ......... as soon as i can drop it in the water. thanks again fred.

That's one of the few things it might not take kindly to Fred

 

[pine island fred]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

Just dropped one 2 months ago, will not happen again. New boat on lift, torrential afternoon rain, watching the canvas top clearance with the boat lift roof. Cables tight to the max as i reach for the switches, all 4 1/4 s/s cables snap within seconds, boat and lift come down, half of the boat under water. replaced the cables but still get the pucker factor when i flip the switch, sobering experience. By the way, do you guys in england do boats by the feet, meters, CCs or cubic inches? I have never been able to make the change to the kilometers. <br /> FACT, i still use my english 1/8 fraction wrenches and sockets on ROLLS engines. Used WitWERTH ( what ever that was) on the VISCOUNTS. Yea ,kind of miss that. P.S. will certainally be looking at that generator voltage when i get the motor on speed. My target has always been 14.7 volts. thanks fred

 

[stan_deezy]

Re: why 4 cyls. for 40 h.p.?

Hi Fred, to answer the question about metric stuff.....<br /><br />It's a bit "bitty" in the boating world. I've got a four metre boat and never really thought about the feet and inches bit. Quite often I'll go out and get some timber and ask for a six foot plank of 4 by 2 (inches) so that I can drill some 10 millimetre holes in it <br /><br />Most bolts etc are measured by metric now and it's easy once you get used to it, stoopid frenchies <br /><br />speed is still good old miles per hour and a pint is still a pint <br /><br />fuel measured in litres because the cost of a gallon of petrol here would cause people to have heart attacks <br /><br />although we still quote miles per gallon for consumption