merc 2-3 cyl

[danny412]

Can anyone tell me the difference between a 40hp Merc 2 cyl and 3 cyl. Apart from the obvious, I know the 3 cyl is made in japan and the 2 cyl american. Is there any major differences??

Danny

[Hydrotherapy]

It's a bit more complicated than that.

One cyl 40hp were made in the USA, Canada, Belgium and Australia.

Two cyl were made in USA, Canada, Belgium and Australia.

Three cyl - As above.

Then there is the international range which I believe include Japan (and China?). aAnd then there is the four cylinder models.

What specifically are you talking about, 2 or 4 stroke and year?

[danny412]

2 stroke direct oil inject this years model, I originally wanted the 3 cyl but have been told the gauges are harder to make work so the dealer recommends a 2 cyl american model. is this true??, will it still perform the same??are there any mech probs that i should be aware of, can i still get spares easily??etc etc etc
I'm very new to this as youve probably guessed but if i'm going to spend 20k on a boat i'd like to know as much as possible about it.
Its an Estuary Angler 430 (Quintrex)

thanks for your time and help
Danny

[FNQCairns]

Go the 3cyl generically they have more overlap between power strokes = smoother more refined, more torque for capacity on average - just nicer, cannot necessarily say faster or more fuel efficient, what is the cubic capacity of either?

Their may be a standout reason peculiar to these two engines but I suspect with reference to the gauges the dealer is talking out his low tide blow hole.

cheers fnq

[Skusto]

same as wht fnq said. 3cyl are just smoother all round and have alot better pushing power the wat then 2cyl do. as soon as u load up your boat the 2cyl struggle to get up on the plane. thats wat we have noticed alot.

[danny412]

Thanks guys, will query the dealer on Mon am

Danny

[Marlin_Mike]

i have the 2003 75hp 3 cylinder version (mariner).

Gauges work fine and never had a problem, been a gem of a motor

Mike

[Noelm]

not too sure about a 1 2 or3 cycl 40HP being any more or less powerfull than each other, IF the capacity is the same (or close) but as a general rule, the more cylinders the better for a given HP, it is as mentioned, all to do with power stroke over lap and a few other odds and ends, if you have one big cylinder it will fire three times less than the same 3 cyl, and in doing so, will result in more vibration and roughness, but it SHOULD still deliver 40HP (say) so if you can, go the 3, if not, then I guess there is not a lot you can do about it, I guess it may be something to do with the Jap models being made by Tohatsu.

[Local_Guy]

I think i have the engine your talking about.. I have the Mercury Lightning 40hp 2stk 3cyl.

I have a 4.6m centre console.. with the canopy up, 2 people in the boat and gear i can get about 25nm from 25L of fuel... or about 2km / L at 22kts.

My engine has only done about 7 hours so it's still tight, but after the last run out wide it only ran better and better.

As for power, in my boat there's no huge kick out of the water, but it does get on plane easilly.

[danny412]

thanks guys
Ive had the luxury(hopefully) of acquiring a near new quinnie coast runner 455, with a 50 hp merc. looks great , cant wait to try it out.

Danny

[Poodroo]

I went the 40hp 3 cyl Mercury on my boat. It's the Japanese made version which I am told is really straight out of the Tohatsu factory. Having had a hassle free Tohatsu on my last boat I really don't mind knowing this. I love the motor and as already stated it has a very smooth power band and gets the boat out of the hole with no effort at all. I highly recomment this motor.

Poodroo