restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

[John Reynolds]

Could anybody point me to some accurate restoration pictures, mark 55E? I have a 1956 Mark 55E That I'm restoring. I've got the sand tan and sunset orange paint for it, but there's the matter of decals, but ESPECIALLY what is the Front Cover Assembly (front part of the cowl) supposed to look like? And the front cover emblem that's on it? At some time in the past before I purchased this boat and motor (boat a Lone Star malibu) some goofus decided that he wanted this mark 55E to look like a later model Mercury, so he spray pained the WHOLE thing black. I'm stripping off the black paint, and I sure would like to get the motor to look as original as possible. <br />Also, what about painting things under the cowl, for an added touch? How about the flywheel and other components? Any suggestions? Thanks a lot

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

Sorry, I don't have a picture but here's decals and paint. <br />Good luck with your restoration!

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

Go Here and look on the second "Photo Galley" Page for a photo. That's all I can find right now...

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

Another, but diff HP, same paint:<br /><br /> web page

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

A couple more:<br /><br /> web page 1 <br /><br /> web page 2

 

[John Reynolds]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

Thanks Rick, a couple of those pictures helps. So I take it that the rail that runs around the engine under the cowl is supposed to be chrome? But the bolt-on emblem on the front cover in the pictures is round, and mine has the emblem with the wings. Mine also is rigged up with remote controls. I really need to figure out what to do with the emblem; Like I said the whole thing was spray painted black.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

Hi JR,<br /> The higher ridges on your face and emblem are burnished aluminim - not chrome. Paint the whole thing (face and crest seperately) and then sand off the paint on the high points with 180-grit sandpaper in one direction (horizontal). You can polish it up more from there, but that would technically be over restoring. They weren't polished originally - think assembly line... Get 'em done and move 'em out...<br />- Scott

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

A little better pic of a 55E:<br /><br /> web page<br /><br />EDIT: Here's a good shot of a 57 E??<br /><br /> web page

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

If the spray paint is cheap you might be able to get it off without damaging it or the original paint with gasoline or acetone. Try it on a casting to see if it works, then a hidden part of the emblem so if it damages the emblem it won't be seen.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: restoration pictures, mark 55E? advice?

One more and I'm done <br /><br /> 1956 Mercury Mark 55E