1957 Merc Outboard Endurance Test - 50,000 Miles

[JoLin]

Stumbled on this video of a 50,000 mile test at Merc's "Lake X" test facility. The motors were run non-stop for 25,000 miles, torn down to measure for wear, then run non-stop for another 25,000. Test was overseen and certified by the US Auto Club.

Drivers had 8 hours on, 8 hours off shifts, and no ear plugs. If any of those guys are still alive, they're probably deaf! Fascinating to see how testing was conducted in the days before computers and simulators. Just get on the lake and run the thing! Wait'll you see the on-water refueling at speed. EPA would have a heart attack today.

https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/blogs/1957-mercury-mark-75-outboard-engine-endurance-record

 

[pdecat]

IIRC running was never a problem with those inline mercs, starting was.

 

[Bliss]

In '59 I had a 60 hp Merc that had no transmission. It reversed - all of the engine reversed - no neutral. When cold it would only start in reverse. I would move around the harbor backwards 'til it was warm. Is there anyone else here old enough to remember those engines?

 

[j-d]

I remember them but never had one. The JohnRude's of those years had reverse, and also had an anti-reverse built into the distributor. All it was, was just a hairpin clip kind of thing in a groove in the distributor shaft. If the rotation went backwards the clip would hit a contact and ground out the ignition. The Water Pump must have been special, because most of the rubber vane type don't like running reversed.

Some USCG ships were powered by opposed piston Fairbanks-Morse diesels that had to be shut down and started in reverse rotation instead of reverse in a gearbox or propeller pitch. 311-foot cutter had two F-M's on each of two shafts. Made sure all four were running going into a docking maneuver, and hopefully by the time the lines were made up, at least one was still running. Backfires, crankcase explosions, failures to start...

 

[jtybt15]

Green top with a silver band around the middle. All cast aluminum. 18-20 HP. Not sure what year. I think older than the video.