What Year is My Engine and Outdrive

[cg2er410]

I purchased 2nd hand from friends a 1985 Wellcraft 192 American. It has a Mercruiser Model MCM140 GM inline 4 Disp 181 cu in with <br />Engine Serial #A311323. This information comes from the red tag on the side of the engine. My carb has the following stamped on a metal plate attached to it 120/140 1389-8490. My outdrive has the following on it Mercruiser Drive Unit Serial #A317839 Model # 01988015 (from silver sticker on engine) and lower unit has 1.98R stamped on it and had the following decals attached to the drive "3.0 and a big 4."<br /><br />Here is my problem. When I go to get parts and tell them I have a 1985 MCM140 3.0L engine with the serial # above, they can not find it. All the manuals say that the serial # is a 1972 issue. When I asked the mechanice what kind of outdrive I had (had problems with pre-Alpha etc) he said by looking at pics I showed him it was an early version alpha 1 and made in the mid 80s. When I go to find my carb (mercarb or Rochester) no one has the numbers that are stamped on the carb.<br /><br />What do I have? Would a dealer use an 85 outdrive with a 72 engine? How can I find out what kind of carb I have?<br /><br />I am so confused!

 

[achris]

Re: What Year is My Engine and Outdrive

Welcome to iBoats.<br /><br />Here's some info to help you (I hope).<br /><br />Your engine and leg (outdrive) are the same year, and 1985 sounds about right. The leg is an "MR" (which could be considered as and 'early version' Alpha). If someone is saying that the engine is 1972, they don't understand the serial number system. The number on the red tag on the side of the carb is Merc's part number, not the manufacture's number. To identify it just look at the idle mixture screw(s). If it has one mixture screw, it's a Mercarb, 2 screws and it's a Rochester. <br /><br />The 1.98R on the leg is the ratio and rotation direction. 1.98:1 reduction, right hand turn prop (and that's standard rotation). The decals depict the engine size and number of cylinders. <br /><br />When getting parts, the serial numbers are more important than the year. Some books will have a '0' in front of the number. eg. 0A311323, but it's all the same. <br /><br />1972 serial numbers were 7 digits of about the same number as your 6 digits, hence the confusion. Merc added the letter when they ran out of 7 numbers. <br /><br />Hope this is of help to you.<br /><br />Chris..............

 

[cg2er410]

Re: What Year is My Engine and Outdrive

Chris,<br />You response cleared up some issues for me, but I am still confused about the serial number for the engine. When I go to the Mercruiser website and enter the # it comes up with a 1972 year as well as the computer software my parts people use. When we try to look up 1985 and look at the serial number series listed for 85, mine is not in there. It is only in the 72 series. See my confusion?<br />Thanks for your help.<br />John

 

[achris]

Re: What Year is My Engine and Outdrive

John,<br /><br />Trust me on this one. That serial number, A311323, is definately 1985. This is a screen grab from my parts software. Your serial number falls in this range, right about the middle.<br /><br />

<br /><br />Chris..........

 

[cg2er410]

Re: What Year is My Engine and Outdrive

Chris,<br /><br />THANKS! Would it be possible to get the name of the software? I need to go back to my dealer and show them that they are using or their user doesnt isn't up to speed on their software! I bet it is because when they look it up, they forget to use the "A" as one of the place holders. They only look at the 311323.<br /><br />Thanks so much again!<br /><br />John

 

[achris]

Re: What Year is My Engine and Outdrive

Sorry, that software isn't available to the public. If you are using an authorized Merc dealer and he's still getting it wrong, find another dealer!<br /><br />You could go to the website of that picture and print it out though.<br /><br />www.myfishingpictures.com<br /><br />My username is mahi01<br /><br />Chris............