Retiredoz is correct, 1/2 pint per gallon – I’d use modern TCW-3 at that original recommended ratio. While these motors have bearings, if memory serves, the wrist pin end of the rod is still a bushing. I’m a firm believer that more oil won’t do any harm, less can be catastrophic!

As you can see from Gary’s post of the manual, I always thought it was odd West Bend and Wards didn’t call out the fuel mix under the Lubrication section on that last page of the manual. It was on a decal on the fuel tank and some earlier WB motors had a decal on the actual motor too. (I don’t think the ’64 Sea King had the motor decal) I guess with the decals, they didn’t think it needed to be included in the manual. A couple of the manuals I have a careful owner wrote in the mix on that last page.

That’s one of the 11.97 CID motors which I always found to be a tad disappointing on performance. The 5.5/6hp 10.6 CID and the 10/12hp 17.72 CID models are outstanding performers in their respective classes. In comparison, while not a bad motor by any means, the 7.5/8 11.97 never seemed to shine quite as much. However, I think you will like that motor, they run well and are nice and smooth and reasonably quiet. The styling is a little strange, does ’64 have the emblem of the stick figure waving for help with his leg through the bottom of the kayak? We have two ’65s with this emblem, it’s very odd!

BTW, be careful of your pull-start Bendix gear, the 13-tooth one is still available from Mercury (but they are getting pricey), however, the 11-tooth is just about unobtainable. I’d suggest using the auxiliary rope plate on top of the flywheel when you are messing with it, use the Bendix for show. I think yours has the 13 tooth made of clear plastic, in my experience they seem to be a bit better than the earlier white ones.