I have a soft spot for down on their luck early K Model Mercurys and the Sea Kings and Wizards also made by Kiekhaefer.
From the top down…a list of problem
1) rewind starter: broken spring, gob of solidified grease, missing fasteners and a very small but vital key gone astray
2) the usual magneto problems
3) upper seal in need of replacement (7415 )
4) crankshaft bent or rusted
5) crankshaft needle bearings rusted (postwar models))
6) rod bearing corroded (postwar models)
7) pivot pin corroded stuck
8) drive shaft stuck in or crankshaft splines
9) lower driveshaft seal missing or rotted (formed from leather)
10) bushings in gear case worn out
11) corroded or worn bearing areas on driveshaft and or prop shaft
12) rubber water pump impeller defective (usually a given)
13) seal in water pump housing defective (3 slit water pump housing)
14) clutch and or prop stuck to propshaft by corrosion
wear and corrosion issues with piston, cylinder ,water jackets
or a seam leak with cast aluminum gas tank are not unknown.
Problem…be patient and consider what your options and consequences.
NOTE:#1 all problems have one or more solution including down grading from restoration prospect to parts motor
NOTE #2 What you see is what you get…if it looks like it spent
a decade or so out in the weather it has issues. If it looks like it
was well taken care of it may be a rare starts on first pull with fresh
fuel motor that everyone hopes for,but,seldom finds.
NOTE#3 missing handle grips, cowls,spark plug covers, knobs and so on are hard to come by and/or not cheap…look over carefully to know
what is missing and probable cost of replacement before purchase.
Remove the rose tinted lenses when contemplating spending
big bucks. At a right price and for the right person, even motors with
problems can be a right buy. Not every price is right nor is everyone
a right person and a few motors are bad buys even if free.
Louis
