My Grandfather and uncle had a Mercury franchise in Maine in the mid fifties. When the first Mark 6 came out for 1955, Grampa ordered 50 of them and sold them all except one he kept. (55s had the torpedo or missile decal with the word Mercury on that.) We all loved "the little red motor". It was the first motor I ever used. I cut my powerboating teeth on it. Red hood with white mid and lower units. I loved the push button neutral. I loved being able to turn it 180 degrees and back out of the dock, even though it had no reverse gear. It idled great. It ran well at every throttle opening. How I wish I had it now. It was on a very nice 15" Old Town fishing boat with a small enclosed deck on front. The 6 gallon tank lasted a long time (hours of use) on these little guys. I have also owned a KF-7, a 56 Mark 25, a 56 Mark 30, a Mark 75A (66 cid), and a 60 Merc 800, across the decades. None were new except the Mark 6 and the KF-7 (an uncle on the other side of the family bought it new in 50.)
@alexcruz77193 күн бұрын
Subscribed
@OutBoardTink624 күн бұрын
Neat video the Evinrude in the middle is a 1957 being the stickler I am for accuracy unless you swapped covers,LOLLL ......
@islandtoybox4 күн бұрын
Already got schooled on it. I was close anyways😅
@OutBoardTink624 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox Oh the Cons of being on KZbin,LOL! with so many eyes on you..
@daddski14 күн бұрын
Finding a pressure tank that doesn't leak is a rare beauty! I have converted many of these to fuel pump outboards. That is a relatively simple thing to do.
@dustin90356 күн бұрын
It’s definitely a full 550hp. Really surprised you still have your life!
@islandtoybox5 күн бұрын
@@dustin9035 Good for picking up chicks on a Saturday night for sure
@shadowwolfmandan6 күн бұрын
Be curious to see the acceleration curve. The Evinrude seemed to have a far better midrange whereas the Yamaha looked to have a way better top end. How does the prop pitch and diameter compare?
@islandtoybox6 күн бұрын
The Yamaha popped up on plane much quicker but the Evinrude just feels more powerful. Hard to explain.
@VintageOutboardMan7 күн бұрын
They're both '57 models. The only year with those decals and color scheme
@donk4997 күн бұрын
Well they both sound great, but the nice one on my left (right side of the boat) has an ignition miss, probably has cracked coils. These are great engines, totally worth rejuvinating. Just a smooth and quiet as any of today's four strokes.
@islandtoybox7 күн бұрын
@@donk499 In my initial assessment I found both coils had minimal cracking but they still gave me a good spark on my bench. This was the first time on the water and yes you are correct. I have some new coils to put in it already. I will do another video with them both running top notch soon. Thanks for watching, glad you liked it.
@donk4997 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox Those 5.5s are some of the best little engine produced by any manufacturer. Simple, rugged, reliable, easy to service... Not much for power but will troll all day. I would compare one of these to any of today's four strokes... OMC would still be in business if they could produce that exact engine today....
@islandtoybox7 күн бұрын
@@donk499New coils coming and I found a pressure tank fortunately connected to a 7.5 1957. Dual power run coming.
@donk4997 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox Cool, can't wait!
@DrILLeR867 күн бұрын
Best of the Best!
@pryan05p717 күн бұрын
Great little motors
@JD-hh9io8 күн бұрын
Nice motors. I have the Johnson version. from 57. It runs realy good. I have found a couple of tanks on facebook marketplace for a reasonable price.
@islandtoybox7 күн бұрын
I like the look of the Johnson’s better. Thanks for watching!
@TJD6569 күн бұрын
One think Wizards were very fast, out run all other outboards with the same horse power. Except for MERCURYS that's because MecKieffer built them.
@TJD6569 күн бұрын
I'm sorry, i don't think the WIZARD is from the 70's more late 50's or 60's. Remember it was Western Auto that sold them and they went out business in the early late 60's.
@wilco358810 күн бұрын
I think that wizard is a mid to late seventies eska I don't know if it's a Tecumseh powerhead or if esca did their own powerhead I've got a Sears version 15 horse it looks very similar.
@islandtoybox10 күн бұрын
It says Elsa on the frame and Tecumseh on the motor. Do you have an impeller number for me. It needs one!
@wilco358810 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox funny you asked that's what I need for mine as well!
@TJD6569 күн бұрын
Wilco, you would think out of all the impeller that are made you could match one up, even if you had to cut the blades or make a bushing for the shaft. You need to make one up so, you can put the wizard back in the water. You see Mr. ITB is keeping his projects going. I bet one of an old Mercury would fit.
@wilco35889 күн бұрын
@@TJD656 I'm sure you could come up with something a little time on a lathe and a bit of filing but I've got so many other projects 🤪
@TJD6569 күн бұрын
I know the feeling on the projects. Hey that's what keeps us going.
@DCFloridasport10 күн бұрын
thats the real Steampunk right there! awesome!!!❤️❤️❤️
@user-bw3gg2dj3g12 күн бұрын
Is this still available
@islandtoybox12 күн бұрын
@@user-bw3gg2dj3g Going up for sale.
@TJD65613 күн бұрын
Hey ITB, What do you do with your outboards keep them in your bedroom closet. Your two 65 year old 5.5 hp Evinrudes, looks like you just picked them up from the dealer. Your Chris Craft is missing the pull start rope and handle. Running good, but you can't fool me LOL. When I was a kid had a 6hp Johnson, got tired if fixing the rope so, we would flip the flywheel to start it. Hey that old 2 stroke Harley Davison, wasn't that model called a Harley Hummer. I have only seen one in person and yours. They are very rare. Keep up the good work.
@islandtoybox12 күн бұрын
@@TJD656 the Harley is a 1953 Model 165. They came out with the Model 125 then 165 then the Hummer. I play with outboards then sell them. Always a revolving door. I have the top of the CC just took it off after starting because it was making a clunking noise. Thanks for the nice comment!
@donk49915 күн бұрын
Heck yeah! The poor Johnson has had enough of this game, looks like she is getting ready to jump off the transom
@islandtoybox15 күн бұрын
It was causing me trouble all afternoon, should have loosened the clamp! These videos are like working in a nursing home taking care of 70 year olds!
@florisverstrate200915 күн бұрын
Is it possible to make the 80’s evinrude for steering? I have bought it for my speedboat but it seems very hard
@pryan05p7117 күн бұрын
Great explanation. And nice motor.
@islandtoybox17 күн бұрын
@@pryan05p71 Thank you for the nice comment
@JD-hh9io17 күн бұрын
Runs good
@islandtoybox17 күн бұрын
@@JD-hh9io It was having a good day, don’t be fooled!
@JD-hh9io16 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox I have more than my share of them things. I find them to be maybe a little cold blooded when they haven't run for some time. I choke them pretty good. Don't flood much. After they run for a while they start up easily. I even have a 1928 Johnson and that starts with out much trouble.
@kalleklp729118 күн бұрын
Today I service my little Sport Twin 9 1/2 HP. It's built the same way your 1980 15 HP is. If serviced they run forever and a Sunday. I'd say the old ones are super reliable. They can even limp back on one cylinder if one coil fails.
@islandtoybox18 күн бұрын
@@kalleklp7291 Your sport twin still has the coils. The one in my video is CDI ignition. OMC’s are great engines
@kalleklp729117 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox Yes, I know. Unfortunately, CDI conversion can't be done on mine. However, I like tickling the points to get the last bit out of the engine. :)
@cbx750frider19 күн бұрын
I have exactly the same bike only its a 1990 model,same colour scheme,30000 miles from new and it runs great. Picked it up 6 weeks ago for £800.
@islandtoybox19 күн бұрын
Must be quite the show stopper in Europe. We were in Italy last year and all we saw were scooters. CBR would be fun
@cbx750frider18 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox sport bikes very popular in Ireland with us being a stone throw from the Isle of man
@islandtoybox17 күн бұрын
@@cbx750friderI always dreamed of watching that race. Seen lots of videos. Crazy riders!
@v1-vr-rotatev2-vy_vx3119 күн бұрын
Cool
@TJD65620 күн бұрын
Great video, you need to make us more videos. Keep all your toys running, your like me, you enjoy keeping them running. Makes you feel good being able to repair things. THAT'S WHAT KEEPS US GOING.
@TJD65620 күн бұрын
Johnson and the mercury have gravity fed fuel tanks above the engine. The Evinrude had an external tank with a built in manual pressure pump inside the tank, in 1958 they mounted a vacuum fuel pump on the motor. You no longer had to pressurize the tank and only had a single hose, no longer a double hose. Don't know why but, Johnson already had a built in fuel pump in the 1957. They were the same company.
@islandtoybox20 күн бұрын
@@TJD656 Those pressure tank motors are really miss understood by the general public. Dinosaurs for sure
@OutBoardTink624 күн бұрын
In 1959 they(OMC) added fuelpumps just for accuracy...maybe in 1958 they had pumps on the Lark models not sure
@TJD65620 күн бұрын
The center engine is a 1957 5.5 hp. Pretty neat it's just like the biggest motor Evinrude made. My dad had the big one a 35hp a pull start. My brothers and i couldn't start it. The motor weigh more then we did. The only year with cursive writing, all other years were block letters. I have all three engines, but they are about 4 1/2 inches tall. Most of them are cast aluminum. If you are old enough you would remember that K&O made them. Same people that made the train sets.They are 3 volt electric, some were made for salesmen pitches.You can see them on E bay. They are collectors and expensive. I have a collection of the toy motors like the big ones we had growing up plus, they don't take up as much room.
@islandtoybox20 күн бұрын
Your dedication to the old motors is no different than mine. Pieces of art!
@hydrostream7620 күн бұрын
Awesome you won't gain much top end, but , you will have awesome torque you could put more ppl in the boat , and hold a decent speed Just came across your channel love it Great Video !
@islandtoybox20 күн бұрын
All my friends are in the boat! Mercury, Johnson and Evinrude. Thanks for watching
@M-mj8bd20 күн бұрын
Hey buddy, your goona ruin that transom with all that power!
@islandtoybox20 күн бұрын
@@M-mj8bd That’s what I like to hear!
@marcanderson866921 күн бұрын
It's really, really great to see these vintage motors still being used.
@islandtoybox20 күн бұрын
@@marcanderson8669 Yes but it’s like herding cats and doing it with one hand keeping all three 70+year old motors going. Glad you enjoyed it
@treatzfortruckerz391321 күн бұрын
That's great need an outboard motor museum
@therealbeedubbs3521 күн бұрын
Use a gps for speed not a wind gage. If there’s any wind blowing in any direction it will mess with the readings
@islandtoybox21 күн бұрын
I agree. Didn’t work to well. It was my first time. I got better at it in the following speed test, but yes not the best
@MrSerAndzej21 күн бұрын
Grreat video 🙂
@Paprepper41121 күн бұрын
I freaking love the old motors they are awesome and cool 😎
@islandtoybox21 күн бұрын
@@Paprepper411 Nothing like good old 24/1 two stoke oil smoke. Glad you liked it. Thanks!
@publicdefender7721 күн бұрын
I love those. The evinrude 5.5 is the only one with an external tank
@islandtoybox21 күн бұрын
@@publicdefender77 Yes it helped with fuel management in this video. Thanks for watching!
@williamhaight97821 күн бұрын
Awesome! I own all of those motors
@islandtoybox21 күн бұрын
@@williamhaight978 Good Man! Keep them alive.
@publicdefender7721 күн бұрын
@@islandtoybox keeping them running is the hard part. No time for them all
@pryan05p7121 күн бұрын
what one is your favorite? Entertaining for sure
@islandtoybox21 күн бұрын
@@pryan05p71 partial to the Mercury but the Evinrude is probably the best of this bunch. The Johnson when running well is by far the nicest. I have some work to do on it still
@williamhaight97824 күн бұрын
Thanks for the good video.
@islandtoybox24 күн бұрын
@@williamhaight978 Your welcome glad you liked it. Low budget but fun to make.
@Buddha-of8fk25 күн бұрын
I had one exactly like that during highschool. It was my elderly next door neighbor guys bike. He dump it one time and his wife didn't let him ride it anymore. I did get picked on a little but l didn't care. Didn't have to walk to school anymore.
@islandtoybox25 күн бұрын
Glad it brought back good memories. I would have loved it as a kid. I had a 10speed bike.
@staffanfogelberg681626 күн бұрын
I have a 20 hp 1966. Do you know much about them? I understand that 1966-1967 is similar....Gear shifting is different from "normal" on mine.
@user-fd1qz9yi6m26 күн бұрын
I have a 6 hp 96 starts first pull no choke amazing motor.
@keithlauritsen602427 күн бұрын
That bike sounds like a rocket and moves like the wind. You should definitely remember riding gear next time. I think I'll name her flame
@islandtoybox27 күн бұрын
Mid life crisis for sure!
@VintageOutboardManАй бұрын
In fact, Johnson and Evinrude started building outboard motors in Belgium all the way back at the end of 1959. From 1960 and onwards, there were large quantities built in Belgium that mainly ended up in Europe, but also in the US. Thanks for the video. It's nice to see a comparison between these great motors.
@islandtoyboxАй бұрын
Your welcome. Glad you liked it!
@falconeaterf15Ай бұрын
I have a 1947 Evinrude built in Peterborough Ontario, Canada. Still fires up.
@WillyK51Ай бұрын
He, He. Went fishing once with a Buddy(Back in the 70'S that brought his 20HP Chrysler(It was big and heavy) and put it next to my 8HP Mariner on my 12Ft Starcraft. . GPS hadn't been invented then, No way to guess Speed. But it was scarry fast
@beestoe993Ай бұрын
Oh man, that gave me a good laugh. 🤣 That's livin on the edge there! I had one just like the little 5 horse, they aint gonna turn my 6 and 7.5 into razor blades though. I love the black one, Mercury really nailed it with that year models. Fun video, thanks for sharing!
@islandtoyboxАй бұрын
One of my favorite videos to make. Testing my boat to fit 4 on it. I think I can squeeze a 1959 Mark6 on.
@beestoe993Ай бұрын
@@islandtoybox nice. I have the wizard version of a 57 mark 6. Daredevil safely.
@davemilsterАй бұрын
Have you done the same test of Merc vs Evinrude ? Merc vs Yammy?
@islandtoyboxАй бұрын
@@davemilster not yet. I will though
@JaxsonShredsАй бұрын
What kind of boat?
@islandtoyboxАй бұрын
@@JaxsonShreds G3 Guide 12
@captainhappyАй бұрын
You forgot to test how fast the boat goes when you use both motors :-)
@misterbulgerАй бұрын
What I was hoping to see 😂
@islandtoyboxАй бұрын
@@misterbulgerNo way! I only had 4” of freeboard in the back. I didn’t show the water in the boat from the waves crashing over on the non-video speed tests. I would guess though easy 40-45mph
@lucatimer1234Ай бұрын
Booths are very nice motors, but I prefers OMC, it's lighter than Yamaha....
@Jason-rs6coАй бұрын
yes big difference in weight
@pryan05p71Ай бұрын
Cool, thanks for sharing
@islandtoyboxАй бұрын
Thank you, glad you liked it.
@rutgerborjesson4552Ай бұрын
Nice! What was the topspeed with both engines running?
@islandtoyboxАй бұрын
@@rutgerborjesson4552 Death on the water! No way am I doing that. 45-50 I would guess
@PraetorAirsoftАй бұрын
@@islandtoybox You're limited by propeller pitch and engine RPM, no harm in trying :)