Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

[old-misery-guts]

Hi

I bought (sight unseen) a 1500 plus a heap of spare parts, all in worse condition than the seller claimed. Anyway the main part I wanted on the 1500 was the tilt/trim plate unfortunately it's useless and the section that the serial number was riveted to is missing. I got the following number off the engine halfway u the starboard side 62978 any idea on the year / model? The reason I ask is that the cowling that came on the motor has extra slots cut into it, I've never seen them before. At first I thought they were aftermarket but closer examination shows that they were probably factory or professionally made. I have attached photos, any idea why the cover would be like this?

In the spare parts there is a very good condition lower unit. I think it is a short shaft, it is 16" long from the top to the bottom. I have attached a photo. The serial number on this unit is 4373546 I was wondering if it was worth anything. It is in very good condition unfortunately the tilt/ trim plate won't fit on the long shaft unit I need. Any ideas?
Thanks Steve Williams

 

[wired247]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

The cowl is a 1500 XS unit. Its worth a few bucks by itself. It's likely the block is also a 1500 XS unit and its worth a bit too. That serial number is incomplete though.

 

[old-misery-guts]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Thanks, I'm learning all the time. I've attached a picture of the serial number on the engine its halfway up the starboard side and seems complete. unless i'm looking in the wrong place.

 

[wired247]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Thats not the serial number. Its a casting number.

 

[wired247]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Heres an example of a serial number location. Its the 4xxxxxx number. The serial numbers are stamped in, not cast in.

 

[old-misery-guts]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Thanks. I'll get in the shed and see what I can see.

 

[wired247]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

also look in that area above the casting mark. On one of the round indents you may find a embossed J if it is a '75 ish 1500 XS

 

[old-misery-guts]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Found the spot on the block but it's not stamped so I guess I'll never know.

 

[wired247]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Could be a service block.Its what the dealers used when the owner blew the motor up under waranty. Unless its got the J in the circle ( or the C ) its just a regular old 1500 block. The circle J and circle C had higher ports and make a little more top end power . They are just about the same port wise but the J blocks are somewhat valuable. You'll build more usable power with a plain Jane 1500 block though. Both the C and J blocks are turds on the bottom end.

 

[old-misery-guts]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Sounds good to me. I just bought the lot for a part that was unusable so if I can sell some and maybe get a powerhead out of the lot I'll be happy.

 

[wired247]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

So far the cowl is the most valuable part. Lots of inline guys would give their leftie for that cowl.

n

Sounds good to me. I just bought the lot for a part that was unusable so if I can sell some and maybe get a powerhead out of the lot I'll be happy.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Looks to be early 70s, as it has the old style orange coil. The complete motor looks to be a longshaft. I would think a shortshaft would need a short midsection and driveshaft.

Did the paint rub off the cowl support or is it silver?

 

[old-misery-guts]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

The cowl support is silver. The block doesn't have any J or C stamped on it so I guess it's standard which suits me if it's ok. I live in Australia so I hope someone here wants a fluted cowl. Thanks everyone.

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Without tearing it down you wont be able to tell if its a 115 or 150. The 150 will have power ports and the 115 will not. The cowling is a 150 XS style but incorrect decals as should have XS on it. Only the XS series were "J" blocks and intake /exhaust porting was a tad higher making them them struggle on a heavy hull. The XS also had a low water pickup(no side inlets) under the skag as water was channeled around bearing carrier to water pump. The 4 cylinder 850XS is a good one to find and hold on too as its a tad over 90hp at prop and turn 8500rpm all day long and stay together!!!
(been there and done it)

 

[wired247]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Without tearing it down you wont be able to tell if its a 115 or 150. The 150 will have power ports and the 115 will not. The cowling is a 150 XS style but incorrect decals as should have XS on it. Only the XS series were "J" blocks and intake /exhaust porting was a tad higher making them them struggle on a heavy hull. The XS also had a low water pickup(no side inlets) under the skag as water was channeled around bearing carrier to water pump. The 4 cylinder 850XS is a good one to find and hold on too as its a tad over 90hp at prop and turn 8500rpm all day long and stay together!!!
(been there and done it)

He is in Australia and likely the decals were different for the export market depending on destination country. They could have used blue sticker non XS marked XS style wraps on all their 1500's for all we know.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Fazt, Couldn't he pop off a transfer cover and look for the power port on the piston?

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Fazt, Couldn't he pop off a transfer cover and look for the power port on the piston?

He could but some one could have been in it before and put ported piston in a non ported block,,,I have seen this more than once especially 90hp motors...
Serial numbers and prefixes he posted are non Australian motors and the only 2 decal sets for the XS motors are for serial groups 19 and 20 and both have XS in logo

 

[old-misery-guts]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Thanks for all the info everyone. I don't have time at the moment to remove a transfer cover. Maybe next week. Working for yourself sucks sometimes.

Steve

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Short Lower Unit ID and 1500 engine Block Number

Steve, post a picture of the inside of the transfer port and cover. Maybe Fazt or I can see if it is a 1500 or 1150. I have a junked 1500 to compare it to.