What year is my Merc 85 hp motor?

Roy Boy

Recruit
Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
5
Standing in the boat, I removed the cover (had a rope inside cover for manual starting), I then removed the 6 inch band that surrounds the motor. I then took the top off the engine, noticing 4 plugs on the back. I could not find a serial number anywhere, however I found these numbers, P/N 332-5772A1, 73413, 50-66015, 1021 3514. I would have thought S/N followed by numbers. I think this engine is a 1973-1979. I need to get the motor tuned as when I try and troll, and or, trailer the boat, it always kills (maddening in current!). A dealership says they don't work on engines that old, even tried Twin City Motors, and they don't have anyone either. I did run across a guy who says he can do it out of his garage and that it would be about 45-60 minutes per carb. Any ideas or thoughts would be apprciated, thanks!
 

OBJ

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 27, 2002
Messages
10,161
Re: What year is my Merc 85 hp motor?

Take a look around the steering tube area Roy, right above the steering arm. Merc did put some of there serial numbers there on the older engines. Nothing around the transom brackets?
 

Roy Boy

Recruit
Joined
Apr 16, 2002
Messages
5
Re: What year is my Merc 85 hp motor?

Thanks OBJ, now, being a rookie, I take it the steering tube area is where my steering wheel connects to the motor in back? Transom brackets are also in the back??
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
27,994
Re: What year is my Merc 85 hp motor?

Roy, Also note if the motor has a distributor or not, and transom thumb screws or bolts. Parts should be easily available.
 

Mercathode

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 8, 2004
Messages
210
Re: What year is my Merc 85 hp motor?

Merc '85 was built from '73 to '77
 
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