achris
More fish than mountain goat
- Joined
- May 19, 2004
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Stern Drive serial numbers.
(Continue down to the next posts for engine locations)
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All Mercury Marine serial numbers follow a particular format, be they Engine, Drive or Gimbal housing.
Up to about 1984 it was 7 digits (numbers), like '6756434'. In 1984 Mercury reached 9999999 and introduced a new numbering system, and its the system they still use. The number is now 8 characters. It starts with a number, then a letter, then 6 more numbers, such as '0F456123'. When the last of the '0' series was reached (around 2007 for stern drives), they then started again but with a '1' at the beginning, like '1A987345'.
The usual first place to look is the engine cover (later models) or a rocker cover (earlier models). There may be some decals with the numbers on them in that location. If there isn't, use the guide below to find the serial numbers.
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'Alpha' style Drive serial numbers.
On MC-1 drives from 1963 to 1982, at the bottom of the rear decal of the housing (location 'd' below). Also under the decal on the port side of the drive-shaft housing, stamped into the metal (location 'c'). The gimbal housing also has its own number (location 'a').
On 'R', 'MR', Alpha One and Alpha One gen II drives (1983 to current), the serial number for the drive has been moved to the port side decal. If the decal is missing, or unreadable, then the number is also stamped into the housing as before, under the decal. The Gimbal housing location remains the same.
Bravo Drive serial numbers.
Bravo drives (1988 to approx 2008), the serial number for the drive is on the port side decal. If the decal is missing, or unreadable, then the number is also stamped into the housing as before, under the decal. The Gimbal housing location remains the same as the Alpha style drives.
Bravo drives (Approx 2008 to current), the serial numbers are now etched into plates. On the transom, across the upper steering swivel shaft clamp bolts at the top of the gimbal ring, and on the drive on the continuity plate, port side, by the bell-housing attaching studs. The numbers are also etched into the casting, as per the following images.
TR/TRS Drive serial numbers.
TR/TRS drives (1974 to 1993), at the bottom of the rear decal of the housing (location 'a' far below). The Gimbal housing location remains the same as the Bravos and Alpha style drive. (location 'a' below) (NOTE: Earlier TR/TRS drives (1974 to 1978) have the serial number in the same place as the MC-1, on the port side decal)
(Continue down to the next posts for engine locations)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
All Mercury Marine serial numbers follow a particular format, be they Engine, Drive or Gimbal housing.
Up to about 1984 it was 7 digits (numbers), like '6756434'. In 1984 Mercury reached 9999999 and introduced a new numbering system, and its the system they still use. The number is now 8 characters. It starts with a number, then a letter, then 6 more numbers, such as '0F456123'. When the last of the '0' series was reached (around 2007 for stern drives), they then started again but with a '1' at the beginning, like '1A987345'.
The usual first place to look is the engine cover (later models) or a rocker cover (earlier models). There may be some decals with the numbers on them in that location. If there isn't, use the guide below to find the serial numbers.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
'Alpha' style Drive serial numbers.
On MC-1 drives from 1963 to 1982, at the bottom of the rear decal of the housing (location 'd' below). Also under the decal on the port side of the drive-shaft housing, stamped into the metal (location 'c'). The gimbal housing also has its own number (location 'a').
On 'R', 'MR', Alpha One and Alpha One gen II drives (1983 to current), the serial number for the drive has been moved to the port side decal. If the decal is missing, or unreadable, then the number is also stamped into the housing as before, under the decal. The Gimbal housing location remains the same.
Bravo Drive serial numbers.
Bravo drives (1988 to approx 2008), the serial number for the drive is on the port side decal. If the decal is missing, or unreadable, then the number is also stamped into the housing as before, under the decal. The Gimbal housing location remains the same as the Alpha style drives.
Bravo drives (Approx 2008 to current), the serial numbers are now etched into plates. On the transom, across the upper steering swivel shaft clamp bolts at the top of the gimbal ring, and on the drive on the continuity plate, port side, by the bell-housing attaching studs. The numbers are also etched into the casting, as per the following images.
TR/TRS Drive serial numbers.
TR/TRS drives (1974 to 1993), at the bottom of the rear decal of the housing (location 'a' far below). The Gimbal housing location remains the same as the Bravos and Alpha style drive. (location 'a' below) (NOTE: Earlier TR/TRS drives (1974 to 1978) have the serial number in the same place as the MC-1, on the port side decal)
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