Mercury Mark 55A Questions.

[ammel68]

Was the Mercury Mark 55A motor produced for only one year or was it produced for several years in the 1950's?

Are parts still available for these older motors?

 

[Chinewalker]

The 55A itself was a one year motor, but the basic design was built for many years. Most consumables are still readily available - water pump impellers, carb kits, fuel pump kits, etc. The magnetos are easy to work on but some of the mag parts are getting harder to find. The bakelite mag cap and housing are pricey if you break one. Great running motors! I'm a big fan of the old 4-cylinder Mercs.

 

[ammel68]

Thanks for the info. Chinewalker.
Being a 55A, does that mean it was only made in 1955 or a different year?
Thanks.

 

[racerone]

Wild guessing on your part.---------Mercury started in 1939.----------So the 55A model / graphics / decals / appliques were maketed in 1959 only.--------Perhaps the A was for 30th anniverary.-----As stated many models / years used the same parts , just not the same decals.------Marketing 101 as well .

 

[Chinewalker]

Yes, the A models were 20th anniversary models, 1959 only. The Mark 55 model started in 1955 and was originally 40 cubic inches and 40 hp. Yours is 45 cubic inches and 40 hp. Your motor shares much with the 1959 Mark 35A (40 cube/35 hp) and the Mark 58A (45 cube/45 hp). So Mercury had the 35 to 45 hp range pretty well covered in 1959! All three motors share about 90% of their parts.

 

[ammel68]

Good information. Thank you gentlemen.

 

[merc850]

The original Mark 55 (photo taken in 1973)