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Author Topic:   40 HP Mercury Questions 4 Cyl. vs 2 Cyl.

Toad2001 posted 06-19-2003 10:25 PM ET (US)
I was just about to buy a new Honda to replace my aging 4 cylinder 2 stroke Mariner/Mercury (1989).
By chance, (at the Honda dealer) I stumbled on a mint (less than 100 hours) 1997 Mercury (ELPTO) 2 Cylinder, 2 Stroke. I now plan to buy it, and mount it on my 15 whaler GLS. I think its about 35 pounds lighter than the 4 cylinder...
Can some of you knowledgeable Mercury folks comment on the following:
Is it a decent motor (proven reliability etc)?
How will the performance compare?
How will the economy compare?
Will the idle be much rougher?
Anything Else?
Thanks in advance for your comments. If the feedback is favorable, this solution will save me almost $4000 US.
lhg posted 06-20-2003 02:22 PM ET (US)
Clark Roberts is THE man to answer this one.
If he doesn't show up here, you might e-mail him.
Clark Roberts posted 06-22-2003 09:49 AM ET (US)
Toad, I have owned two 40hp Merc 2 cyl and one 30hp 2 cyl (same block) and ran all on 15 and 13 whalers... my opinions: Great engines and so simple with one carb and fingertip idle adjustment! These engines have one piece block/head design so no head bolts, water jacket bolts, exhaust baffle bolts etc. and are extremely rigid and quiet! Power to weight ratio is also favorable! My experience was that reliability is good as I never had a major problem with lots of hours of use. Now, nothing on the planet idles down more smoothely than the 4 cyl 40/50 Merc (am running a 40 4 cyl on a 13 at present) so you should choose this model if smoothness is your goal. Performance is about the same with either the 2 or 4 cyl models and you can expect about 32-34 mph top speed on a 15 (with correct prop/trim set-up).... e-mail me if you have some specific question... not an expert but have some hands-on experience.. happy Whalin'... Clark... Spruce Creek Navy
ramantik posted 09-09-2005 04:36 PM ET (US)
My cousin (who is not computer savy) would like to locate the electical schematics for a 1998 Mercury ELPTO 40 HP (serial 0G661511). He accidentally damaged some wires.
Is there a website with the schematics?
Regards
Binkie posted 09-18-2005 08:36 PM ET (US)
My daughter has a 2-cyl `03 40hp Merc on her 13 footer, its a great motor but idles a lot rougher than a 4 cyl, which is understandable. but you get used to it.

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Author	Topic: 40 HP Mercury Questions 4 Cyl. vs 2 Cyl.
Toad2001	posted 06-19-2003 10:25 PM ET (US) I was just about to buy a new Honda to replace my aging 4 cylinder 2 stroke Mariner/Mercury (1989). By chance, (at the Honda dealer) I stumbled on a mint (less than 100 hours) 1997 Mercury (ELPTO) 2 Cylinder, 2 Stroke. I now plan to buy it, and mount it on my 15 whaler GLS. I think its about 35 pounds lighter than the 4 cylinder... Can some of you knowledgeable Mercury folks comment on the following: Is it a decent motor (proven reliability etc)? How will the performance compare? How will the economy compare? Will the idle be much rougher? Anything Else? Thanks in advance for your comments. If the feedback is favorable, this solution will save me almost $4000 US.
lhg	posted 06-20-2003 02:22 PM ET (US) Clark Roberts is THE man to answer this one. If he doesn't show up here, you might e-mail him.
Clark Roberts	posted 06-22-2003 09:49 AM ET (US) Toad, I have owned two 40hp Merc 2 cyl and one 30hp 2 cyl (same block) and ran all on 15 and 13 whalers... my opinions: Great engines and so simple with one carb and fingertip idle adjustment! These engines have one piece block/head design so no head bolts, water jacket bolts, exhaust baffle bolts etc. and are extremely rigid and quiet! Power to weight ratio is also favorable! My experience was that reliability is good as I never had a major problem with lots of hours of use. Now, nothing on the planet idles down more smoothely than the 4 cyl 40/50 Merc (am running a 40 4 cyl on a 13 at present) so you should choose this model if smoothness is your goal. Performance is about the same with either the 2 or 4 cyl models and you can expect about 32-34 mph top speed on a 15 (with correct prop/trim set-up).... e-mail me if you have some specific question... not an expert but have some hands-on experience.. happy Whalin'... Clark... Spruce Creek Navy
ramantik	posted 09-09-2005 04:36 PM ET (US) My cousin (who is not computer savy) would like to locate the electical schematics for a 1998 Mercury ELPTO 40 HP (serial 0G661511). He accidentally damaged some wires. Is there a website with the schematics? Regards
Binkie	posted 09-18-2005 08:36 PM ET (US) My daughter has a 2-cyl `03 40hp Merc on her 13 footer, its a great motor but idles a lot rougher than a 4 cyl, which is understandable. but you get used to it.