Mercury K1? Or maybe not?

[opposedtwin]

I got this parts (?) motor at an auction recently. I was told it was a K1 (Mercury) but the pictures on oldmercs shows a similar motor with a very different tank. I guess it is a possibility that it’s a K1 as it looks like the other 2 pictures of what I believe IS a mercury K1.

By the way, I can find no numbers on the parts motor. Was thinking it could be a sea king but didn’t those have the 2 sided gear case with lots of nuts/bolts holding it together? This one has a different case, a mercury type case.

Any input would be appreciated! Thanks!
Scott

• This topic was modified 5 years ago by opposedtwin.

[fifty20ne]

Scott,

Your motor looks to be a
1940 Sea King
Model 04-K1-8820
Per the book “Iron Fist”
It’s the first motor designed
And manufactured by
Kiekhaefer Corporation
But not the first Mercury
Motor produced ie “K1”
Clean upper transom clamp
Area right side upper for
Serial number!

Ps: send me a pm as I
May have flywheel to
Make whole again?

[green-thumbs]

It would take a little more evidence to state what it is or is not.
1940 Kiekhaefer Mercury K1 single had ID stamped into rope plate
1940 Kiekhaefer Wizard WB2 single also had ID stamped into rope plate
1940 Kiekhaefer Sea King single had ID stamped into port side of clamp
bracket.
1941 models had ID tag attached to tower/exhaust housing with rivets.

1940 Kiekhaefer, water pump housing had 16 square intake holes
1940 cylinder and water jackets are different from 1941 versions

Most if not all 1940 Kiekhaefers have the streamlined aluminum tower
exhaust housing.

1940 models have cylinder and water jacket held to crankcase by nuts and bolts 1941 models use bolts screwed into threaded holes in crankcase

Making absolute statements about Kiekhaefer made outboards is not
possible as Kiekhaefer at times used old stock to make new outboards
and also used carryover parts from a prior year to make initial run
of next years production. You have to judge what you see by asking
is it consistent (not altered with non original substitutions) is it the way
Kiekhaeger did things. Sometimes the answer has to await experience
and the opportunity to study other examples in close detail.

Steel gas tanks rust, so there are more old motors than tanks. I have
a K2 with that problem.

I have found that good clear digital photos need lots of extra light, steady camera and plain background. Even so, some photos turn
out better than others so take several. What you see is not exactly
what the camera sees…reflected light and different angle of view
have to be allowed for. If the background is to cluttered, viewing the
photo can be like finding a needle in a hay stack.

Louis

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by green-thumbs.
• This reply was modified 5 years ago by green-thumbs.

[fifty20ne]

https://aomci.org/forums/topic/1940-mercury-k1/

From Bob Grubbs excellent site!!!!! (Thanks Bob)

http://www.mercguy.com/virtual_outboard_museum.htm

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by fifty20ne.
• This reply was modified 5 years ago by fifty20ne.
• This reply was modified 5 years ago by fifty20ne.

[fifty20ne]

I would say Carl “Elmer” Kiekhaefer was quite proud of his first outboard!

[opposedtwin]

Thanks for the replies Louis and Bob! Great pics!! My motor appears to have the tab on the port side. #2403. So it must be a sea king. Rats!

Is #1006 in the pic a K1? Can you post any more pics of that one?

Bob, I will try to send you a pm. If either of you have a lead on a rope sheave (whether it be sea king or mercury) I’d be interested!

Scott

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by opposedtwin.

[fifty20ne]

Serial number 1006
Number 5 or 6 off line.

My second motor is serial # 4806
Weird? Yes

• This reply was modified 5 years ago by fifty20ne.

[kirkp]

Scott, you sound disappointed that it’s a Sea King. It’s identical to the Merc K1.

Restored

As found

[mercuryman]

This some of the best 1940 Mercury, Sea King & Wizard info I have seen. I have a Sea King K1 and Wizard WA6 . Can’t find a 1940 Mercury

[opposedtwin]

Kirk, I am a little bit disappointed that it’s not badged a mercury. Seems like there are many of the sea kings out there but only a small handful of mercurys. No worries. I’m grateful to have it and I’ll find a sea king fly wheel and sheave and go with it. Will obviously have to build the magneto for it but the parts are out there.

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