Abstract: The invention provides a marine propulsion device comprising a powerhead including an exhaust gas discharge port, a gearcase rotatably supporting a propeller shaft connected to the powerhead and including an exhaust gas discharge, and a lower unit including an upper portion supporting the powerhead and a lower portion connected to the gearcase, with the lower unit comprising an inner exhaust housing having a generally vertical wall, an open top in communication with the powerhead exhaust gas discharge port, a bottom having therein a first exhaust gas outlet and a second exhaust gas outlet at the top portion of the wall, and an outer exhaust housing also having a generally vertical wall in surrounding relation to the inner exhaust gas housing and defining a vertically extending generally annular space between the inner and outer exhaust gas housings, the space communicating with the second exhaust gas outlet.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit, a propeller shaft rotatably supported by the lower unit and adapted to support a propeller, an engine supported by the lower unit and drivingly connected to the propeller, the engine including an engine block, and a throttle arm movably mounted on the engine block, a control cable operably connected to the throttle arm, a mechanism for removably securing the control cable to the engine block, and a cowl assembly surrounding the engine and including a pan-like lower cover member and a dome-shaped upper cover member, one of the cover members having therein an access opening affording access to the mechanism for securing the control cable to the engine block, and an access cover removably secured to the cover member in covering relation to the access opening.

Abstract: An engine including an engine block, and spark timing structure for advancing and retarding spark timing between a minimum spark advance and a maximum spark advance, the spark timing structure including a spark timing link comprising a stop and being movable between a minimum advance position and a maximum advance position spaced in one direction from the minimum advance position, the spark timing structure also including a spark timing lever including a surface and being movable between a first position wherein the surface is spaced from the stop when the link is in the minimum advance position, a second position wherein the surface engages the stop when the link is in the minimum advance position so as to provide common movement of the link and the spark timing lever in response to further movement of the lever in the one direction, and a third position wherein the link is in the maximum advance position when the surface engages the stop.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block defining a cylinder bore and a fluid jacket, an annular valve seat defining a first passageway communicating with the fluid jacket, a valve assembly including a housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a second passageway communicating between the inlet and the outlet, a second valve seat located in said second passageway, and a partially spherical outer surface portion moveable into and out of seating engagement with the annular valve seat, a valve member in the housing, and a mechanism for moving the valve member into and out of seating engagement with the second valve seat for respectively closing and opening said second passageway, and a mechanism for biasing the partially spherical outer surface portion into seating engagement with the annular valve seat.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a mounting bracket adapted to be mounted on the transom of a boat, a propulsion unt mounted on the mounting bracket for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally vertical steering axis, the propulsion unit including a pivotally mounted propeller and an engine drivingly connected to the propeller by a transmission, and a shift handle assembly including an inner member mounted on the propulsion unit for movement relative thereto, the inner member being connected to the transmission for actuation of the transmission in response to movement of the inner member, an outer member movable between spaced first and second positions relative to the inner member, and a bolt for securing the outer member in the first position so as to cause movement of the inner member in response to movement of the outer member, and for selectively permitting movement of the outer member to the second position.

Abstract: A marine propulsion device comprising a lower unit including a rotatably mounted propeller, and an internal combustion engine drivingly connected to the propeller, the engine including an engine block, a crankshaft rotatably supported by the engine block and including an end portion projecting from the engine block, a flywheel including a hub, the hub being mounted on the end portion of the crankshaft and having an outer surface, and a bearing located between the engine block and the outer surface of the flywheel hub for facilitating rotation of the flywheel relative to the engine block.