Since its founding in 1939, Mercury Marine has made a prominent name for itself on the tail end of the boat business -- namely, the engine. The company's 4.3 TKS V-6 engine, behind houseboats and common cruisers, is a common sight on the water. Fuel consumption is modest, despite the bite of quickness it delivers.
The 4.3 TKS cast iron block engine is capable of 190 horsepower with a full throttle range of 4,400 to 4,800 rpm. It utilizes a dual-plane iron intake manifold and a multi-point drainage system of removable plugs. Several waterproofing features keep the right parts dry. A "dry-joint exhaust" will keep water out of the engine in the event of a leaky gasket. A fuel filter that detects and separates excess water from the mix helps prevent damage too.
A 65-amp alternator allows for plenty of electronic equipment. And it runs on easy-to-find 87-octane gas and can hold 28 gallons of it at a time.
The Mercruiser 4.3 is built for many reliable starts, utilizing a Thunderbolt V Hi-Energy ignition with platinum-tipped spark plugs. It has Mercruiser's patented "Turn-Key Start (TKS) system" that requires no choking, pumping or priming to start the engine, much like a car. The TKS system is a feature on all of the company's line.
The Mercruiser 4.3 boasts added power and torque with the addition of a dual-plane intake manifold that increases fuel atomization, as well as easy operation with power steering ability. A "low-restriction flame arrestor" boosts horsepower and torque. All this helps the 4.3 produce a top speed of 50.4 mph on a mid-size boat.
