72' Merc Hurricane

S_Kyle · Post by **S_Kyle** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 12:52 pm

I recently bought a 72' Mecruy Hurricane with a 644 cc Kiekhaefer. This was Mercury's own motor it was only used in the Hurricanes from 72' to 75'. It has a Tillotson OM414A (I think), it is a float type carb.

I got it turnning over under it's own power and I have real good spark in both plugs. The fuel pump is drawing and I got a friend to give the carb a good cleaning. I have got it to back fire a few times by dumping fuel in the holes.

The pistons lie horizontal and face the front of the sled, could there be some kind of blockage between the carb and the pistons? Any help would be appreciated.

P.S what ratio should I run this thing at?

Post by **Matt** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 4:12 pm

Wow, thats a real odd-ball, especially with the Kiekhaefer.

When you say you got it to backfire, do you mean you got it to run for a few seconds or did it actually backfire? If that is the case, you may have a timing issue, or your plug wires are backwards.

S_Kyle · Post by **S_Kyle** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:04 pm

It was a backfire. I am completely lost on this thing, I was wondering about the carb. I have never seen a tillotson carb with a float before, the throat on it is smaller then standard size.

I was wondering how the fuel air mix got to the pistons because, the carb looks like it blows into the crank case. It is an oddball, and I can't just go and look at anouther because, I have never seen anouther.

HoosierDeereMan · Post by **HoosierDeereMan** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 7:59 pm

Just a suggestion, but you might try posting your question on Vintagesleds.com. DocJim and crew might be more help with the Kiekhaefer than most of us here will be. Someone might even be able to hook you up with a manual. Sounds like a very unique sled.

Good Luck!

S_Kyle · Post by **S_Kyle** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:06 pm

I geuss it is worth a shot, I bought it because it was something different. That and I though it would be easier to get running than my 76' 340 Liquifire. The last owner took apart the electrical system and I am having troubles putting it back together.

Post by **Matt** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:10 pm

S_Kyle wrote: It was a backfire. I am completely lost on this thing, I was wondering about the carb. I have never seen a tillotson carb with a float before, the throat on it is smaller then standard size.

I was wondering how the fuel air mix got to the pistons because, the carb looks like it blows into the crank case. It is an oddball, and I can't just go and look at anouther because, I have never seen anouther.

It could have a reed valves - same as the JDX/Cyclone/Liquifire/etc. All these motors have the intake manifold feeding through the reeds, into the crankcase. The reeds open/close based on suction from the piston to control flow. There are channels on the side of the cylinder that the fuel moves up through when the piston is in the down position.

The reeds could be worn out and causing your problem, but I would still check your ignition first to see if it is firing at the right time.