need to know year of motor

[ljcatman]

hi new to this site & new to boating just got me a old mercury kiekaefer 110 thunderbolt ignition 9.8 hp motor want to know what year it is. this my first motor boat so i know nothing about boats so please help me. here's the serial number for it 3266776 . and what spark plug do i use for it & what oil too someone told me that walmart stuff is no good for the motors. don't have a boat shop here but do have a auto parts store. or can order online for it.

thanks for the info

 

[achris]

Re: need to know year of motor

Year is 1972. Spark plugs should be an AC V40FFK, or NGK BUHW-2
Use any oil that is rated TCW3 or higher. That's for water cooled 2 strokes. Ratio is 50:1, 50 parts petrol to 1 part oil.

Chris.......

 

[ljcatman]

Re: need to know year of motor

thanks a lot will have more question later

 

[achris]

Re: need to know year of motor

thanks a lot will have more question later

I'm sure....

 

[ljcatman]

Re: need to know year of motor

what do i gap the spark plugs at

 

[achris]

Re: need to know year of motor

They are surface gap plugs and can't be adjusted....

Picture of it for you at the bottom or NGK website....

http://www.ngksparkplugs.com/part_finder/watercraft/results.asp?id=989&type=reg

 

[ljcatman]

Re: need to know year of motor

thank you very much

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: need to know year of motor

Year is 1972. Spark plugs should be an AC V40FFK, or NGK BUHW-2

My Merc OEM manual doesn't mention NGK for any engines (2-6 cyl) through 1974. For the '72 110 it specs AC V40FFK or Champion L-78V, (or AC VR40FF for radio noise interference).

Disclaimer: I have no idea if there is a meaningful difference between an NGK and Champion plug that are cross referenced to each other. I also know that my local Merc dealer gave me NGK plugs when I first got my '74 110, but someone on these forums later told me that actually Champions were spec'd for the ignition systems of these older engines (as opposed to the newer ones which do spec NGK). Also, a website I've used for parts for this and another slightly older merc 110 (oldmercs.com) sells champions for these older Mercs.

I use Champions but have the lightly NGKs in the boat for spares rather than throw them out.

A big FWIW.

 

[achris]

Re: need to know year of motor

I have always used NGKs, had too many Champions go south. Have a look at the NGK website... They call out BUHW-2s for this engine, or use their cross reference and you'll find that BUHW-2s are the same as the Champion L787V.

Chris.........

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: need to know year of motor

I have always used NGKs, had too many Champions go south. Have a look at the NGK website... They call out BUHW-2s for this engine, or use their cross reference and you'll find that BUHW-2s are the same as the Champion L787V.

Chris.........

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but just going back to the actual spec in the OEM owner's and shop manual (which is what I personally would go by). I have no idea why they don't spec NGK, but they do only spec AC and Champion. These are OEM manuals, but recently purchased new.

I know about cross-matching plugs, but I've been told by more than one credible person that when an engine specs a certain brand of plugs, that's the plug that should be used. I can't tell you why, but believe it's a subtle difference among the various brands of plugs, even those with the same ratings. Does it actually make a difference? I have no idea. Sounds like you have more experience than I do (which wouldn't take much )

For what it's worth, the NGK site also specs an NGK plug for my OMC V6, and I've never heard or read anywhere that NGK plugs are recommended for that engine.

It would be interesting for me to have someone explain better why certain brands are spec'd for certain engines, rather than just the generic physical characteristics of the plug.

 

[achris]

Re: need to know year of motor

I'm not trying to pick a fight, but just going back to the actual spec in the OEM owner's and shop manual (which is what I personally would go by). I have no idea why they don't spec NGK, but they do only spec AC and Champion. These are OEM manuals, but recently purchased new.

I know about cross-matching plugs, but I've been told by more than one credible person that when an engine specs a certain brand of plugs, that's the plug that should be used. I can't tell you why, but believe it's a subtle difference among the various brands of plugs, even those with the same ratings. Does it actually make a difference? I have no idea. Sounds like you have more experience than I do (which wouldn't take much )

For what it's worth, the NGK site also specs an NGK plug for my OMC V6, and I've never heard or read anywhere that NGK plugs are recommended for that engine.

It would be interesting for me to have someone explain better why certain brands are spec'd for certain engines, rather than just the generic physical characteristics of the plug.

The only answer I can come up with is that in the 60s Champion and AC plugs were the most well known and commonly available spark plug in the US (and Australia). It would have been a bit silly to spec, or even list a plug that was not easily obtainable. Have a look at the Merc plug specs now and you'll see that the first plug on the list is NGK... Maybe someone will make a better plug that in 10 years will be all the rage, and you'll see that listed....

When I was building my first car, KLG plugs were the most common... I haven't seen one now for years....

Chris....