Shop Crowley Marine for Serial-Range Mercury Outboard. Offering discount prices on OEM parts for over 45 years. FAST $3.95 shipping available. Find Mercury outboard parts by year at Boats.net, where we make it easy to for to take. On it, you'll see the model number on the top line and the serial number. Look on the top of the sheave (the pulley-like attachment around which you wrap the starter rope) for a model number, K1, K2, K3, K4 or K5, stamped into the metal. The 'K' numbers are Mercury Kiekhaefer motors. The Wizard motor, though similar in appearance, didn't appear until 1941, and those serial numbers begin with 'WA'.
There is no way to find the model year of motors with significantly higher serial numbers than listed in these guides. There is NO serial-to-year cross-reference chart for 1997 and later motors. Mercury has never really used model years for much of anything other than 'sales tools' in dealerships. Nov 4, 2018 - i have a mercury outboard with JUST the serial number nothing else. Mercruiser Serial Number Mercury Outboards Serial Number Search Location. Hi, can you tell me the year model of my Yamaha 40hp outboard? A VIN number is a 17 character alpha/numeric serial number unique to each vehicle, by manufacturer, make, model and year. Each character in the VIN number can be decoded to determine where the car was built, what year, which automotive features are included and more. Find the year your Mercury Mariner outboard motor was manufactured using our model & serial number look-up guide.
Whether it's a 1940 K-1 or a 1979 Merc 2000, the identification of a Mercury Kiekhaefer outboard motor depends more on the Model Number than on any other factor, including appearance. From 1941 to 1957, Mercury also built 'Wizard' motors for Western Auto that closely resembled the Kiekhaefer motors, but the Wizard motors had different model designations, unique to the brand, and slight differences prevent the the parts from being interchangeable with those of the Mercury Kiekhaefer motors.
Look on the top of the sheave (the pulley-like attachment around which you wrap the starter rope) for a model number, K1, K2, K3, K4 or K5, stamped into the metal. The 'K' numbers are Mercury Kiekhaefer motors. The Wizard motor, though similar in appearance, didn't appear until 1941, and those serial numbers begin with 'WA'.
From 1941 to 1946, the model number, beginning with the letters, 'KB,' is stamped on a plate riveted just below the powerhead (the internal combustion part of the outboard) to the starboard (right) side of the motor's leg (the part that goes down toward the water)
Models built from 1947 to 1955 have an instruction plate riveted to the front of the engine with the model number stamped on it. Likewise, 1949 to 1953 four-cylinder models have an instruction plate, with the model number stamped on it, riveted to the cover on the front of the engine.
Mark 6 and 6A motors, made from 1956 through 1959, have their model number stamped on the swivel bracket, just below the powerhead (the internal combustion engine at the top of the motor). If the ID plate is in front, just below the motor cover, and the motor has four cylinders, it's probably a Mark 30, built between 1956 and 1958.
If the motor is any other model, the model number is stamped on a plate across the front or back of the swivel bracket, just below the power head.
Tips
- Remember: 'K' models were built between 1940 and 1952. In 1953, the 'Mark' models appeared and were built until 1960. In 1960, the 'Merc' models of the Kiekhaefer appeared and lasted until 1979.
- If the plate is missing, casting numbers on the cylinder block or numbers stamped into the carburetor may help narrow the age down somewhat.
References
About the Author
Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history.
Photo Credits
- Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Finding the model year of your Mercury outboard may be as simple as looking at its title if your state requires your Merc to carry its own, separate title. If not, locate the product identification plate on the engine mounting bracket. Many newer Mercury outboards have the model year stated prominently on this sticker. If the model year doesn't appear on yours, the serial number, also located on this plate, is the key.
The Serial Number
If your Mercury outboard is a 2006 model, or newer, you can use the online Mercury Parts Catalog to look up the model year. Enter the engine's serial number in the block provided and you get the engine's model year and a comprehensive parts list.
For engines built prior to 2006, contact any Mercury Marine dealer. The dealer is the gold standard for information about your Mercury outboard and, using Mercury's proprietary resources, can provide you with the outboard's model year.
Check Parts Resellers
Alternatively, you can use charts that link the model year to the engine serial number on the websites of Mercury parts resellers, such as Master Tech or Marine Engine.com. First, locate the horsepower of your outboard on the chart, then look down the list of serial number ranges. When you find the serial number range that matches your engine, you can look across the chart to find your engine's model year.
References
About the Author
Mercury Marine Serial Number Lookup
Where Is Mercury Outboard Made
Will Charpentier is a writer who specializes in boating and maritime subjects. A retired ship captain, Charpentier holds a doctorate in applied ocean science and engineering. He is also a certified marine technician and the author of a popular text on writing local history.