American Hot Rod Update

[G Stillwill]

The ports are so close to specs there wouldnt be nothing gained by messing with them. Even though some might not like Mercs they did clean house in JSH,JSR AXSH and AXSR at the Nats.

[Skoontz]

Yep. $2K as advertised for the motor, then another $1K for the fast foot. Who only knows how many parts you want to keep buying and tossing until you find the optimum ones....I remember Ralph Kozan going through 254 135HP Merc floats until he found 3 that floated exactly the way he liked them....And that was just what he did to flow the carbs better.....My dad went through 60 some odd pistons until he found 4 that were the exact sizes and weights he needed...

Tis nuts what one does to go faster.....

[Cameraboy]

I don't think it's a matter of people not liking Mercs, it's been a matter of not being able to make them fast in some parts of the country. That's becoming less the case as the knowledge transfer happens. Thanks for your efforts in proving the Merc a winner, George.

[Skoontz]

Size matters

personally, I think the 2 cubic inches the Merc engines have over the OMC are why they work in the classes with the restrictors. More torque at different places. Just an educated guess right now, but when you have 8% more size it should show a difference and it obviously has. So, if only they let OMC motors be bored to make up that 1.8 cubes.....

Far as not liking Mercs, comming from an OMC dealership/family, I would rather paddle...That was not intended to start a contest, it's just how I was raised. And, I will add, it is refreshing to see Mercs doing well in J and AXS, even though I will always root for an OMC powered boat. Since the 70's, when certain brands worked best in each class, it was kind of disheartening to see only one brand of motor racing in that class. Then OMC took to royal dump, and, what choices are there? I really miss the brand to brand competition and long for it to return.

[mercguy]

personally, I think the 2 cubic inches the Merc engines have over the OMC are why they work in the classes with the restrictors. More torque at different places. Just an educated guess right now, but when you have 8% more size it should show a difference and it obviously has. So, if only they let OMC motors be bored to make up that 1.8 cubes.....

Far as not liking Mercs, comming from an OMC dealership/family, I would rather paddle...That was not intended to start a contest, it's just how I was raised. And, I will add, it is refreshing to see Mercs doing well in J and AXS, even though I will always root for an OMC powered boat. Since the 70's, when certain brands worked best in each class, it was kind of disheartening to see only one brand of motor racing in that class. Then OMC took to royal dump, and, what choices are there? I really miss the brand to brand competition and long for it to return.

I believe the lower port timing of the Merc (and a good engine builder) is what makes it work better restricted.........