I am restoring this engine and am curious why the clamp brackets are welded together. It looks like it was done at the factory prior to painting. Any ideas? I plan to cut it apart. Thanks!

At least some 1940 model year Mercury and Wizards had clamp assembly
that were not welded. All 1941 and later model year motors have welded
clamps. From a manufacturing time and cost basis as well as a parts
inventory basis, a single welded assembly would be more efficient and less costly. Keeping track of a one piece assembly is easier than making sure you had both a right and left.
Louis