Re: how-to identify a outdrive with serial number?
This is my first boat and im trying to learn as much as I can. Plus I dont wanna buy the wrong part.
Good attitude. Read, read some more, read only the Merc. official service manuals as the others are not clear, watch videos-especially the ones here on IBOATS, try and put the pieces together and if still unclear, ask questions.
If you haven't already done so, at the top of this forum you'll see a couple 'sticky' items; spend time in there.
Lots of great information Don has assembled over the years that really helps.
Regarding parts: as a general rule, either buy OEM Merc/Quicksilver parts or if going aftermarket, Sierra seems to have the better reputation than the others. IBOATS does not sell OEM parts but does Sierra and has great pricing.
Finding the OEM part number of an item then using that to cross reference to Sierra or to comparison shop seems to help.
If you are buying an OEM part and have a local Merc. dealer, check their pricing also especially if you visit a dealer for advice.
Mark