Michigan Boat & Engine

Dressed in Sunset Orange and Sand Tan, this classic example was bound for Canada, awaiting pickup. The "Turbo Four" was 30 Hp, electric choke and starting, full gearshift. 

With the pistons throughly cleaned, new rings, needle and main bearing installed, reed pedals and cages rebuilt, the crank is lowered back into the block using ring compressors. 

Here's an example of an engine with the colors set to the customers boat. In 1959, Mercury offered 4 variations, all Cloud White, Bimini Blue w/ Cloud White, Holiday Red w/ Cloud White and Canyon Copper w/ Cloud White. This engine was finished with the 1955 offered Sarasota Blue and the 1959 Cloud White lower castings. 

This engine was paired with a Fiberglassic for my good friend Jamie Lafave.

Freshly restored 1962 Mercury Merc 1000 and a 1962 Merc 800. Fuel systems mounted, these are prepped and ready to set on to the lower assemblies. 

This rare piece came from Kansas, well parts of it. What makes this engine special other than being an early 4 cylinder are the set of open exhaust elbows and pipes. They were especially designed for the early fours with the ribbing casting details on the elbows, to match the side plates of the engine. There are casting numbers and the baffle plate was stamped, making these parts factory components. Looking forward to running the unit. The original engine was delivered to the shop by an individual who found it on the side of the road ready for recycling pickup?! Imagine all the great stuff that is lost this way! Well this one was saved!

Shot of the business end of the pipes.

This engine is almost ready for the side cowls. Pictures of completed engine coming soon.

Power head complete and set onto lower pan and tower, next goes on the gear foot then top cowl. Color is the classic Sunset Orange and Sand Tan.

Here's an example of a Mk25 block mounted on Mk20h components. The result is a very fine engine without the expense of a 20h block, though gear foot and tower aren't cheap either. This engine was built for the honorable Judge Robert McDonald, of the New York Supreme Court. Great guy!

This stock Mk75 block is mounted on the combination of a Quincy tower, which we recast and are available on our products page, and a Mercury Super Speedmaster gear foot. It's visually quite a stunning package and would be a handful on this "D" class Marchetti Hydro. Here the engine is nearly complete and being fit to the boat. 

This engine is an example of an earlier Mercury designed during the end of the streamline era and has a real Buck Rogers look to it. Fully restored and ready for the water. This KD-4 is available for purchase on our products page.

This little time machine was built for Phil Englesman. He wanted something that would take him back to when he was 16. It features a Quincy manifold and custom straight pipe. Here's a quick 8 second flyby!

Truly a fantastic and iconic engine. These inline 6 cylinders are my absolute favorite engines to restore. The difficulty is in rebuilding the distributor which can take up to an hour focused time and plenty of patience. Loading the cylinders can be trying to, but when restored properly they really sing! When mounted on a boat the provide smooth power with a look and sound that's amazing. This particular example was finished for Kim Logsdon of Illinois. Kim has been a long time supporter of my work, thanks pal!

The Mk25E is one of the toughest outboards to restore, primarily because all the electrical components packed under the cowl. This engine which is in the Marlin Blue and Gulf Blue livery was built for Paul Raab, another fabulous supporter and collector.

Chicago and a local engine, tested and nearly ready for customers boats.

For extra special clients, I'll occasionally do one of these in the shop. Nice little motor. Super cool thing is that's its in his sons bedroom. Now thats a cool dad!

Front shot, video coming.

This engine was built for the Michigan Modern exhibit at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. It was mounted on the Parsons Leak and Sink, I mean Lake and Sea. You know what I'm talking about!

This lift was built in Washington State, and was purchased by Jon Culver for his dealership, Culver Aeromarine of Dayton Ohio in 1956. Jon had moved a lot of engines with it over the years and now it's helping me here in Grand Rapids. One of the best tools I own!

This charming little Super 10 was built by Mercury for Western Auto Hardware stores. Mercury built these private label Wizard engines from 1946 thru 1957. Slight changes in cowl, drive shaft housings and decal graphics gave them a different look. Some engines were tuned down as not to compete with Mercury's lineup. Their still a Merc though and just as collectable. 

These two engines were bound for a collection in Norway. Also they purchased a 1962 Merc 500 and a 1962 Merc 800. I worked closely with Svien Myklebust during the projects and we both were pleased with the end result!

Doug Kniff's 15' Lyman is powered with this engine, which pushes it along nicely!

This is the engine found in a heap on the side of the road awaiting trash pick-up. Its in its original colors, probably how it was raced.

More shots of this engine under restoration here. Will be updated as progress continues.

The 1949 early 4 cylinder KF-9 is rare, but fitted with the Larson Dyna-start option takes it to a whole new level. More pics here.

The black beauty of a 1962 Merc 1000. First 100 HP production engine in the world. All 1962 engines were painted Cloud White. This particular model because of its size needed to look more trim. It got its black livery by a female suggestion that if a woman wants to look more slender, she wears black, and Mercury's Phantom Black was born.

The ever popular Kf-5. The perfect engine for light craft, particularly for fishing. This one shipped to Washington State, then on to Alaska. Its a family heirloom.

1961 Merc 500 mounted on a 1958 Feathercraft.

Though Im partial to Kiekhaefers engines, many of the outboard models built in the fifties are really spectacular in design, such as this beautiful Johnson.