1991 Searay 185BR info?

[SomeCanoe]

looking for some info on a new to me boat. I want to do normal maintenance (plugs,oil change etc...) I don’t know a lot about this motor and am seeking as much info as I can get. Hoping someone here can give me some good sources. The engine is a Mercruiser 5.7l Alpha (from what it says) the serial is 0D607736. I would go to the local marina but they are screwing me over on the title to my trailer (long story) so I will not support them in any way. I am mostly looking for what filter part numbers and oil (as well as how much) and best spark plugs to use. I apologize if this has already been covered but I don’t think I have seen this particular motor covered in any threads here yet. (If it has, I didn’t see it because I don’t know enough about it to begin with.. lol)

 

[thumpar]

I use the Mercruiser/Quicksilver filters and for drive lube the same. I use Mobil 1 oil for the engine. All can be found at Walmart. If you need a manual go with the factory service manuals (1 for drive and one for engine).

 

[SomeCanoe]

Thanks for the quick response! I don’t know enough about this motor to know which manual to grab. Sorry for my ignorance, I’m just getting started in the boating world but I am googling everything I can to try to learn. Everything I am coming a crossed seems to have multiple part numbers for the same thing. Are they interchangeable or does it go by different setups on the motor itself?

 

[thumpar]

Factory part numbers will get superceded sometimes. You may also find that some parts have that same part number but with a K or Q or maybe another letter. Those are the same factory parts just under the different labels that Merc uses like Quicksilver. There are aftermarket companies that have their own part numbers that will cross. Sierra makes most of the aftermarket stuff that you see and their part numbers start with 18- usually. Napa uses these same numbers. GLM is another common one. Sometimes you will find parts that can be bought individually or as a kit in different forms so each of those will have a different part number. Impeller is the most common for this. You can buy just the impeller, impeller with plates and gaskets and the whole kit with impeller, gaskets, plates and housing. It takes time to figure out what is what. Feel free to ask pretty much anything. The people here are amazing. Check out the adult only (its safe) section. There is a wealth of knowledge in there.

You should have an Alpha gen II being a 91. That would be manual 14. For your engine you need manual 15.

 

[SomeCanoe]

When you say manual 14 and manual 15, are you referring to mercruiser manual 14/15 or is there some other manual?
Thank you for all the help by the way, much appreciated!

 

[Scott06]

Just be sure check the drive number before ordering parts like an impeller . My 1991 Sea Ray 170 had in fact a 1990 engine with one of the last (by serial number) Gen one drives they made. No problem with a gen one drive, just can create an issue ordering parts before the year. OD469859 & up are gen 2

 

[SomeCanoe]

Thanks Scott06 for that little bit of info. I haven’t had to order anything for it yet but I am sure I will soon enough.