1986 or 1987 manual?

[7mm]

According to the serial number my engine is a 1986 OMC 2.5L it is installed in a 1987 Starcraft Islander. I have spent a lot of time searching for a 1987 repair manual thinking that their may have been changes in the out drive in 87. One of the 86 manuals that I found has a photo on the cover of a stringer drive. My boat has a Cobra drive. I don’t really need 2 manuals do I.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the only source for OMC manuals is still Ken Cook company

https://www.outboardbooks.com/

they have been the manual print house and tech writing company for OMC since the 40's

use your model number to get the correct manual for your motor/drive

 

[southkogs]

Go with the serial number on your engine. If it's an '86 2.5, that's what you want. It's not at all unusual to have last years' engine in this years' boat.