Question on a serial number of old Merc 500

[Opelman03]

Trying to find year of old Merc 500

Ok newbie here on iboats and even outboards. I have a Merc 500 with SN# 1891732. Trying to tell what year and even what HP. I think it is either 50 or 65HP.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Opelman03]

I have a Merc 500 50hp. I believe it to be a 1965. The serial number is 1770202P. What if anything does the P mean. Thanks new to iboats and the world of outboards.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

A Merc 500 is a 50 HP motor.

Now, which serial number is on the motor?

 

[Opelman03]

Sorry I was trying to make two different post and it looks like the appeared on the same one. I have two Merc 500 outboards and trying to find info on both.
Serial number of first motor is 1891732
serial number of secound is 1770202P

Thanks sorry for in confusion.

 

[Fun Times]

Serial number is 1891732

Where did you run across the other number possibly ending with a P ? If it truly was a P at the end then that wouldn't be an actual serial number from Merc.

Here is a parts catalog for this engine serial number range which would also cover the general range of the other number mentioned with a P.
http://www.iboats.com/MERCURY-500-1770179-THRU-2116317/dm/view_id.1703109

The 189 number is a

500 (50.0)

1870389 - 2097444

1966

The 177 number would have been a

500 (50.0)

1755549 - 1870388

1965

 

[Opelman03]

Thanks for the info. I found the serial number on the engine block and the transom mount. Both places have a P at the end of the number.

 

[GA_Boater]

1891732 is a 1966 if a US or Canadian motor - Found here http://www.maxrules.com/models/Merc_model_files/40-50.html

17702002P has too many numbers. Look where the red box is in the pic below to verify the number. That is right above the magneto or distributor;

 

[GA_Boater]

Fun Times and I were posting about the same time. The P at the end :noidea:

You found the second place for the S/N.

 

[GA_Boater]

I think the two posts were merged because it seemed the two were very similar. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Opelman03]

I will look when I get home. Thanks for all the help. If they are both a 50HP motor one is a lot bigger than the other.

 

[racerone]

No, no,-----They only made one size 50 hp.--The bigger motor is likely a 65 hp.---Pictures and more pictures required.

 

[Opelman03]

No Title

This is the motor marked 50HP with Sn1770202P

 

[racerone]

Graphics make that a 1965 model.---------I guess it needs a belt for the magneto.------Best to do a comprehensive inspection before buying any parts for it.

 

[Opelman03]

No Title

Ok the covers were not on this motor when I received it. It does have a Merc 500 front cover but as you and I now can see this does not fit. I was going off what I was told and the covers lying in the truck bed. I knew it did say 65HP but was clearly confused about the Merc 500 plate. Like I said new to boats and outboards. These two motors were given to me with a Gemini bass boat and trailer. Again thanks for any and all help with this.

this motor is SN#1891732

 

[Opelman03]

Thanks Racerone. Any idea what the P in the serial number means? That motor is a short shaft.

 

[racerone]

That would be a 1964 front plate.---------Since Mercury started in 1939.

 

[racerone]

As stated the P means nothing.-----I have some of these motors and can not recall a P on any of them.

 

[Opelman03]

Thanks for the help. Do you have any idea what model the 65HP motor is, since it appears not be a Merc 500. Again thanks for helping.

 

[GA_Boater]

One of the things about these old Mercs is the upper cowl, side wraps and front plate can interchange between different horsepower motors. In the pic below, the three places that show model and/or HP numbers are marked. The upper cowl and front plate model numbers can match - 500, 650, 750, etc. but the decal circled is the horsepower, which is not as easy to change. The pic is a 650/65 HP. Does your motor have a decal on the midsection?

 

[Opelman03]

No Title

Kinda hard to make out pick but does say 65HP.