Announcing the Merc 888

**Fastjeff57** · 11-28-2015

You mean this one? One assumes there were four separate crank throws hiding in there, but...

Jeff

**Tim Kurcz** · 11-28-2015

Originally Posted by Fastjeff57

You mean this one? One assumes there were four separate crank throws hiding in there, but...

Jeff

Very cool: It's great to see that at least one copy was built! Do you know there the engine is now?

Tim

**Fastjeff57** · 11-29-2015

Sorry, but I have no other info on this other than it was called a KE-9.

Jeff

**Bill Van Steenwyk** · 11-29-2015

FastJeff:

Do you have any info on the motor in the second photo down on the left side?

Looks to be a different motor. Another way to get 4 cyls, but a different motor.

**Fastjeff57** · 11-29-2015

Gonna have to disappoint you again. Been collecting 'experimental' Mercs for years, but all I have are these photos.

Jeff

**Fastjeff57** · 11-29-2015

Then there's a Merc V-8...

Jeff

**Aeroliner** · 11-29-2015

Hi Tim,
I have been looking at my Electromotive ignition system we developed and run on our 4 cylinder Mercs and I believe you can use the box with the dual output coils. It should be very easy to setup in that 2 cylinders will fire at the same time. If you need info let me know and I will E mail the Tec Manual to you. Doug has done a number of them.

Alan

**Tim Kurcz** · 11-29-2015

Originally Posted by Aeroliner

Hi Tim,
I have been looking at my Electromotive ignition system we developed and run on our 4 cylinder Mercs and I believe you can use the box with the dual output coils. It should be very easy to setup in that 2 cylinders will fire at the same time. If you need info let me know and I will E mail the Tec Manual to you. Doug has done a number of them.

Alan

Thanks for the input everybody. The 888 project has captured the imaginations of many, with great suggestions to overcome specific problems, and a fantastic array of Mercury prototype images. Please keep them coming.

This week the master & link rod concept will be developed further in hopes of using factory needle bearings and centerline loading for the slave piston. You're questions/recommendations will be answered in turn.

Tim

**Krazy Karl** · 11-30-2015

I think the master/link rod arrangement would be the best way to go. I worked on radial aircraft engines when I retired. I worked in a shop that overhauled/restored all makes of radial engines. A very practical solution to compact multi cylinder engine. The biggest negative factor is a very large frontal area, not at all aerodynamic. Not a factor here. Very durable but may not be suitable for high horsepower/rpm applications.

We had one come in that had a piston seize which caused the rod to break taking out the two adjacent cylinders. The owner was able to fly it several miles back to the airport. He had a hard time seeing through the oil on the windshield.
kk

**Tim Kurcz** · 12-01-2015

Originally Posted by Aeroliner

Hi Tim,
I have been looking at my Electromotive ignition system we developed and run on our 4 cylinder Mercs and I believe you can use the box with the dual output coils. It should be very easy to setup in that 2 cylinders will fire at the same time. If you need info let me know and I will E mail the Tec Manual to you. Doug has done a number of them.

Alan

Apologies to all as memory suggested that the ignition concept
was published, but a review of posts found it was not! See the sketch below:888 Ignition.doc

BRF didn't like the ignition upload, so here it is explained: The Mercury firing order is 1-3-4-2. The 888 is comprised of two banks of MK58A cylinder blocks; situated fore and aft. The front bank cylinders are 1-2-3-4, the rear bank cylinders are 5-6-7-8. With all eight cylinders tied to the same four pin crank, cylinders fire in pairs as follows: 1 & 6, then 3 & 8, then 2 & 5, then 4 & 7.

Does this make more sense now?

Tim