TOPIC: is the 1959 Mercury Mark 35a a good motor?

Just wondering if the 1959 Mercury Mark 35A is a good motor.

I spent way too much time trying to get my 1958 Evinrude fat 50 water worthy and in the end found out it was a POS out of the box.

I'd like to hear some opinions on the Mark 35A before spending any time or money on it. Be honest please! Thanks.

Is a good engine? Well I have a 1960 300 which is basically the same engine, and I plan to be buried with it. A good engine? Are you kidding! You could not get mine away from me with a gun to my head, they are one of Mercs finest efforts, fast, great on gas and light. What more can you ask for??

gfgarland wrote:

I plan to be buried with it.
You could not get mine away from me with a gun to my head
fast, great on gas and light.

I like what i'm reading so far!

the best of mercs ran that powerhead with minor mods from 54 to into the 80's ruffly. does say something about it.

These are a wonderful piece of machinery.

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Simple / well designed and easy to maintain.

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Like any piece of machinery its needs to be maintained.----Outboard motor owners are famous for destroying " fine machinery " so beware.--One common problem is rusty drive shafts as Mercury insisted that carbon steel was better / stronger than stainlees as used by the " enemy " since 1950 or so.

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I have a number of these white Mercury motors and no attempt is made to run any one of them without a complete teardown.

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A 50 year old piece of machinery generally needs magneto / ignition overhaul ,new main bearings ,impeller ,rings and seals !!!

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One of these in good running condition is music to some ears.

Maybe the best outboard ever built. Those 40 cid & 44 cid powerheads are nearly bullet proof. You really have to neglect them to destroy them. I have a friend who has been running one for years . Only takes a little simple maintanance & he runs its 6000 rpm all day long. Never had a problem. As Dave said they made them from the early 50's till the late 90s , the Classic 50 is the same basic powerhead.

I do not know where all these guys are getting their info about how good the Mark 35 is. You are going to have all kinds of problems with it. It will be best if you pack it up and ship it to me, as to keep from having those problems. I will be nice and take them off your hands before they get started.

I had one a few years back, and main problem I had was everyone wanting it. I made the mistake and sold it (right off the boat one weekend at the lake). I would like to have that problem again.

The one I had, had elect start and a alternator (complete). I have found them with elect start after I sold mine, but have not found one with a complete alternator system

Cool! Thanks for the info.

Hey Allen, i'll send it out tomorrow. Haha! It is electric start but i haven't checked for a complete alternator system.

Does anyone make a manual for this motor? i haven't been able to find one.

oldmercs.com

curse wrote:

Cool! Thanks for the info.

Hey Allen, i'll send it out tomorrow. Haha! It is electric start but i haven't checked for a complete alternator system.

Does anyone make a manual for this motor? i haven't been able to find one.

www.marineengine.com/parts/mercury-mark-outboard-parts/mark-35a/all

One of the prettiest motors made!

I have several of these engines from the four cylinder family and what impresses me is the performance of the 350/300 compared to the larger 44" engines. The 44's have more pulling power and top end, but they are damn close. I have run my 1960 300 and my '60 400 on the same boat, both fully restored engines, and while the 400 has the edge in power it does not idle as smoothly or have the same zing to full rpm as the 300, it just feels peppier probably due to the smaller carbs giving more low end grunt. Less chrome on the 300 as well, but I like that look. The wrap is tough to find in clean shape as the finish is delicate but can be substituted for an polished wrap if desired. Beat on ones seem to survive better than the 44's as well, the bores on the larger engines tend to wear out when abused. I have done several 40's that were pure rats but the bores were straight and true, despite being caned to an inch of their lives. Use good oil, replace the water pump impeller every other year, prop it right to the top of the rpm range and you will wonder why they ever quit making these engines. And mine is most definitely NOT for sale!!!