Which engine coupler do I have?

[thestigmach1]

I just got a 1985 sea ray 197 monaco with 230 hp mercruiser. First time out the engine coupler gave up the ghost, not very happy with the guy that sold it to me. There are two part numbers for this engine and would really like to have the coupler before I pull the engine. Is there any way to check which coupler I have before I pull? The options are the round or triangle one. I searched but couldn't find anything on it. if the question has already been answered I'd appreciate pointing me to that thread. Thanks in advance

 

[Bt Doctur]

post the engine serial number

 

[Scott Danforth]

when was the last time the drive was off and the alignment checked?

improper alignment is what kills couplers

 

[thestigmach1]

Sounds like it hasn't been aligned in a very long time if ever from what the guy told me. That was in the plan to do very soon to prevent this from happening but wanted to get it out on the water. Supposedly the drive was off for things to be greased and I think he said replace bellows in 2014. I'll have to get the serial number later today and I'll post it then.

 

[thestigmach1]

Engine serial number is 6899320

 

[Bt Doctur]

There should be a small tag just above the starter, a letter and 6 numbers

 

[thestigmach1]

the last picture is the one on the rear above the starter. I don't see any letters on it though

 

[thumpar]

My 1983 had serial numbers like that. It was before they had the letter. Your range shows round but you can get miss march parts and the info isn't always perfect. I would probably get it apart enough to see which is on it.

 

[thestigmach1]

Problem is it takes a week to get either part and I dont have somewhere that it can sit for a week in pieces. I can have it there for a weekend but that's about it. I was hoping there was a trick that would let me see it without pulling the engine or just pulling the out drive. Would the triangle one stick out of the bellhousing or is it enclosed completely in the bellhousing like the round one?

 

[Bondo]

I was hoping there was a trick that would let me see it without pulling the engine or just pulling the out drive.

Ayuh,.... A digital camera in yer hand takin' pictures of the coupler,.....

Would the triangle one stick out of the bellhousing or is it enclosed completely in the bellhousing like the round one?

It depends, not all the flywheel covers are the same, even though they appear that way,.....
Many variations,....

 

[thestigmach1]

Duh I dont know why I dont think of the most simple things like sticking my phone in there and taking pictures. This is why I have projects that take forever that i cant find parts for, I have to do everything the hard way. Is there a site you guys are using to plug the serial number into? I've been using west marine but that's how I ended up with two options for coupler.

 

[stang32]

order both couplers and return the one you done need. if the phone does not get you a clean picture.

 

[thestigmach1]

Sorry it's been awhile phone got me a clean enough picture got it ordered and installed. Ended up being the round one First time out I learned that the bay up here in Wisconsin is very different from anything I'm used to and went from 15ft to 2ft of water before you can #$@& and ate a prop. Oh well everything seems ok. thanks for all the help.