44xs Piston rings

[ram95]

I recently came into a box of odd parts and found a couple ziplock bags, each containing a pair of rings. The bags were marked "Merc 40/50 39-18653A2".

All of them have the letters: VIP and .030 etched on them. And, all of the rings are tapered on the etched side (top of the ring I would assume).

The 44 inch fishing motors I've had to fix didn't have this type of ring.

So, anyone care to comment on what "VIP" stands for? And, which Merc's actually use this ring (if any).

Thanks - Alex

[A/B Speedliner]

Rings

The parts lists shows they are used on the Merc 40 serial numbers 1592200 and up and 9570790 and up. Whether those are 44XS I can not say. They are listed as 0.030 oversize.
David

[Larry M]

The parts lists shows they are used on the Merc 40 serial numbers 1592200 and up and 9570790 and up. Whether those are 44XS I can not say. They are listed as 0.030 oversize.
David

David does the Merc 40 mean a 40 hp 44cin motor? I didn't know there was a 40 hp 44. I am interested in finding the answer because I have a 2 ring piston with the small wrist pin and the VIP marking on the ring. These rings are the keystone type rings. I am sure the pistons are Mercury. They are for a 44ci motor.
What is also confusing to me is that it takes a keystone piston for these rings but when you cross the number it lists it for any 3 ring piston.


Larry Mac

[A/B Speedliner]

Rings

The book calls it a Merc 40 4 cylinder, second design. If anyones knows the serial number range of the 44XS we could see if it falls in the list ranges provided by Mercury. They are also listed for the same Mariner models with a different serial number ranges.
David

[crankbearing]

vip were either sierra or vertex rings. I am pretty sure sierra. They will fit all 44 CI TWO ring keystone design Merc, Sierra, WSM - .030 over bore. They will not work on wiseco.

Dave

[mercguy]

David does the Merc 40 mean a 40 hp 44cin motor? I didn't know there was a 40 hp 44. I am interested in finding the answer because I have a 2 ring piston with the small wrist pin and the VIP marking on the ring. These rings are the keystone type rings. I am sure the pistons are Mercury. They are for a 44ci motor.
What is also confusing to me is that it takes a keystone piston for these rings but when you cross the number it lists it for any 3 ring piston.


Larry Mac

the Classic 50 (basis for the 44XS) became the 40hp Merc in 1991(44) until it was replaced by the 3cyl 40hp..........the early ones came with 3 ring pistons, then succeeded to the 2 ring (keystone type)............all large wrist pin types.............I am with Dave, either Vertex or Sierra..............

hmmmmm..............I have not seen a small wrist pin Keystone type piston..........definately not from Mercury (ART).......

[ram95]

Thanks guys. I think we've broke-the-code on these.

Dave was correct, they can be obtained from Sierra.... (I called them). And Sierra warrantees them. They do fit the Vertex & Merc 44xs pistons, but they are made by Victory Parts out of Taiwan. Victory International Parts is VIP.

Now, the next question is: Anyone have any "bad" experience with them? I Googled Victory Parts and it looks like they make quite a lot of aftermarket items. Who knows... they may even make them for Vertex!! I looked at them under a 15X magnifying glass and they seem okay.

Thanks again for your help - Alex