No Serial # on 4.3L Engine Plate

[tanderson2002us]

Hello IBoats memebers! This is my 1st post so no NOOB jokes please!!!

I bought our first boat this summer?.1988 Bluewater Executive 19? Open Bow. The previous owner operates a Marine Service and Repair shop in town and has numerous boats on his lot. He personally (and professionally) replaced the foam, stringers and transom before putting in a ?new? Mercruiser 4.3L. He also ?reconditioned? the outdrive. My first question has to do with the engine plate?.there is no stamped information on it. It looks authentic with Mercury Marine on the edges but has no serial number. Any idea why this is? It is the carburated engine, not the newer fuel injected engine. Could it be a crate motor that sat around for years? It runs great Im just curious what service manual to get. I attached a pic below.

Thanks and appreciate any feedback!

Tom

 

[Don S]

Re: No Serial # on 4.3L Engine Plate

My first question has to do with the engine plate….there is no stamped information on it. It looks authentic with Mercury Marine on the edges but has no serial number. Any idea why this is?

Assuming you mean the red decal on the valve cover, they aren't stamped. The serial number is/was in ink and probably go wiped out.
There is a stamped plate riveted to the block just above and aft of the starter. Next to the flywheel cover. A camera works great if you can't get your head in there to look.

Manual #7 is the one you want. http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html covers all the V6 engines from 83 to 93

 

[90stingray]

Re: No Serial # on 4.3L Engine Plate

If the engine was replaced... i am sure that is your answer. The engine block tag wouldn't be stamped because it wasnt a new install... prolly left blank because that block will fit just about any boat from 1985 to current. I imagine the installer should have transferred the numbers. I have never purchased a replacement merc short block... so this is just an educated guess.

 

[Bondo]

Re: No Serial # on 4.3L Engine Plate

Hello IBoats memebers! This is my 1st post so no NOOB jokes please!!!

I bought our first boat this summer….1988 Bluewater Executive 19” Open Bow. The previous owner operates a Marine Service and Repair shop in town and has numerous boats on his lot. He personally (and professionally) replaced the foam, stringers and transom before putting in a “new” Mercruiser 4.3L. He also “reconditioned” the outdrive. My first question has to do with the engine plate….there is no stamped information on it. It looks authentic with Mercury Marine on the edges but has no serial number. Any idea why this is? It is the carburated engine, not the newer fuel injected engine. Could it be a crate motor that sat around for years? It runs great Im just curious what service manual to get. I attached a pic below.

Thanks and appreciate any feedback!

Tom
View attachment 172270

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... Lookin' at yer picture, it appears to be period specific to the hull's age,...

It looks like it's got an mechanical fuel pump, 'n I can't see the hicky at the top of the timin' cover for the balance shaft, so, it's probably a pre-92 vintage block...

Is that a Quadra-jet, or Weber carb on it,..?? Q-jets are older,... Webers still current issue...

Original or Not, if it runs strong, 'n gets good numbers on a compression test,...

It's a Good healthy motor... Enjoy it,...

 

[tanderson2002us]

Re: No Serial # on 4.3L Engine Plate

Thank you everyone for the welcomes and quick replies! So nice to have joined the board.....more to come for sure!

Tom

 

[hostage]

Re: No Serial # on 4.3L Engine Plate

I was able to get my SN from Mercrusier by giving them the Transom or Lower unit SN.

-Hostage

 

[tanderson2002us]

Hello everyone again......its been 4 years! I still own the boat above and it runs just fine. I bought the motor and outdrive service manuals and have performed "everything" by the book each fall and spring. I have a question however.....I have never replaced the impeller nor pulled the outdrive to inspect the bellows. The gimbal bearing and all things mechanical seem in good order, but is it time to do deeper maintenance on the Alpha One? I did clean and adjust the trim senders. I only get to boat about 40hrs per season best so I assume I had put about 160hrs on the boat overall Also, I have wondered if the quicksilver lubricants I use on the outdrive are starting to build-up inside the unit. Can someone please tell me if I should pull the lower and upper outdrive units (together) and look inside/clean the bellhousing? Should it be time for a new pump (after aprox. 160h)? It ran just fine and cool last summer with no leaks in or out. Ive watched the You Tube videos and it looks like something I could tackle (pulling the outdrive).

Thanks in advance!
Tom

 

[thumpar]

For me impeller is every other year and I only get 15-20 hours a year on it. It is not just use it is age too.

 

[harleyman1975]

Yes you are overdue for an impeller and U joint lube job.