Return to Website

Wizard Outboard Motor Forum

Welcome to the new Wizard Outboard Forum.

Wizard Outboard Motor Forum
Start a New Topic 
Author
Comment
Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

On John's Old Mercury site there is a lengthy picture
series showing various steps to rehab a long dormant
old Merc. Well worth viewing and I learned a few things I did not already know...still lots to learn
though. Carbureto, impeller,magneto, strip, fill/sand prime and repaint. Motor did not require serious
mechanical work but restorer did cover all the usual
requirements. (not my work or motor)
Louis

Re: Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

Yep, Louis is right on. Very good pictorial on the restoration process.

Re: Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

Been in basement this pm...finished buttoning up Mark7
powerhead that had a broken crankshaft. I am not much
for the fine points of cosmetic surgery but I am getting dangerous doing major transplant work.
For what it is worth when replacing cylinder assemblies you leave them a little loose and turn
crankshaft over a few times to "seat" cylinders
then tighten water jacket/cylinder screws...otherwise there may/will be tight spots where piston binds.
Good prep and paint work takes lots of practice.
Good mechanical work sort of comes natural.
Louis

Re: Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

It should be noted that the WF4 and WG4 power heads are similiar to the KE4/Mark7

Re: Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

Picture series includes good detail of "Tool" to unwind left hand water pump cover common to KE4/Mark7 (and later Mercurys & Wizards)
I have no idea how hot forged alloy steel
wrench jaws are drilled...(and jaws could be heat treated HARD) looks like a toughie.
If anyone has made this tool please comment.
Louis

Re: Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

Take another look at the KE4...notice the upper water jacket and the "arms" that form the rear fuel tank
mount...features found on the first production run
of the KE4 between serial 214324 and 258220. This is
a transition between KD4 and later series KE4...has
crankshaft,reed block,carburetor of later production and cylinders,pistons and rods of KD series.
Interesting thatall KE4s were rated 20% more powerful than KD4 or WD4...even more interesting that the
KE4-A was rated at 6hp even though it used later
KE4 components...maybe increased blade area of three
blade prop held rpm/hp down

Anyway something to think about when working on the
early Kiekhaefer made Wizards and Mercurys...
serial numbers and parts manual can explain
what you see.
6hp KE4-A is a seldom seen model made for restricted
hp lakes...no special serial range but three blade
prop is unique

Re: Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

Is this the KE4 restoration you are talking about?

Re: Cosmetic Restoration Plus of a Mercury KE4

Yes indeed. The KE4 in the Restoration Series is from the initial production run of KE4 models ...by some strange coincidence I am working on another member
of that initial run. Interesting as it/they combine
something new with something old to produce something
different...unlike preceeding WD/KD4 or subsequent KE4/Mark7
What might be a mix of parts motor turns out to be a
factory correct motor.
Louis