How do you read a Mercruiser serial number?
James Williams
Updated on March 13, 2026
Mercruiser sterndrive engine serial numbers are formatted as follows—0W555555. The first character is the number 0, not the capital letter O. Serial numbers that do not follow this format, rather have seven numerical digits, were manufactured before 1980.
How do I identify a Mercruiser engine?
The model of Mercruiser engine can be determined by looking at the last letters of the “engine block code” that is stamped in all complete longblocks by General Motors at the time of assembly. If the serial number, and/or model decals are missing, the engine code will help to determine the engine model.
How do you tell the year of a boat motor by its serial number?
- Locate the serial number on the mounting bracket of the outboard motor, or the silver plug on the top of the motor.
- Write the serial number down.
- Decipher the serial number using “INTRODUCES” as the key code.
- Locate the final three numbers to determine the year.
What year is my Mercury boat motor?
The sequence of letters and numbers (or just numbers) at the top of the identification tag or instruction plate is your Mercury outboard’s serial number. On newer Mercury outboards, the tag or plate will also show the motor’s year of manufacture below the serial number.
How do I know what boat engine I have?
The engine model number is found on the transom clamp of the outboard on the outside of the transom/boat. The model number usually starts with a letter, followed by numbers (often the horsepower) and finally another sequence of letters.
How do I look up boat serial numbers?
This is often referred to as the “boat serial number” or “boat ID number”. The number is usually found in the stern and can be engraved on a plate or stamped into the boat material.
How can you tell the difference between Gen 1 and Gen 2 Alpha?
The Alpha Gen II upper and lower housings are fastened together with two through bolts on either side of the drive along with the front and rear bolts, while the Gen 1 drives use one stud visible on either side. Alpha Ones have two studs under the ventilation plate just above the prop.
How can I tell how old my boat motor is?
Go to the motor and look on the motor’s swivel bracket for an embossed, metalized tag or plate that has the name of the motor’s manufacturer boldly stamped at its top. This manufacturer’s tag also shows the year the motor was built, or the model year on all motors except Honda.
Where is the Mercury outboard key code?
Inside the Remote Controls If your Mercury is equipped with a remote throttle/key switch or throttle/shifter/key switch combination, the code you need to have a new key made is inside, located on the body of the ignition switch.
Where is serial number on old Mercury outboard?
transom bracket
For Mercury outboards, the serial number label is located on the transom bracket. You can locate the MerCruiser serial number label on either the side of the engine or on top of the flame arrester cover.
Where is the serial number on a MerCruiser stern drive?
Sterndrive Serial Number (separate from engine): The serial number tag is located on the upper drive shaft housing (starboard side or on the back of the housing). MERCR NO. MERCR NO. MERCR NO. 470 (2bbl.)
How big is a Sea Ray cruise boat?
The shipyard offers a wide range of vessels: from small boats with an outboard engine and cabin cruise boats that can be transported on a car trailer to luxury 20-meter yachts of various types: closed cruise yachts with a hardtop, planing yachts with a flybridge, open cruise yachts.
Who is the owner of Sea Ray Boats?
In the late 1970s, it was the second largest US shipbuilder, and in 1986 the company was bought for $ 350 million by the Brunswick Boat Group Corporation, the largest producer of pleasure boats in the world, which gave a new impetus to the development of the shipyard.
What is the service manual for a Mercury MerCruiser?
Service Manual Applications: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 Mercury MerCruiser 5.0L, 5.7L, 6.2L MPI Gasoline Multiport Injection Engine. Service Manual #31 Part Number 90-864260.
