Difference in 1998 and 1999 Honda BF90A

[66mootang]

I recently purchased what the dealer told me was a used 2001 Honda BF90A. I noticed when I was trying to order parts there was a year breakoff prior to 1998 and after 1999. Well I purchased a prop for 99 and up only to discover the engine is actually a 1998. Can anyone tell me what if any difference there is between the two years/motors?

Also any clue why Honda makes it so tough to identify the year of their motors. I literally had to track down the originally selling dealer of the 2001 boat, who then identified the motor from their paperwork. Even a licensed mechanic advised me he had no way of looking up/identifying year. Told me they just go off the BF90A identifier.

Thank you

 

[gss036]

Re: Difference in 1998 and 1999 Honda BF90A

I think I would go back to the dealer you purchased the motor from and have him explain why he told you the wrong year, etc. I think Honda can easily identify the year by the sr# as they keep track of production. If you look carefully around the engine, you might even find a sticker that gives the year of mfg.

 

[66mootang]

Re: Difference in 1998 and 1999 Honda BF90A

I called the dealer I purchased it from and he advised the motor was invoiced on 10/99 and that it was not put into service until 02/02. I confirmed this with another dealer who sold the boat new. But, he could not identify the year of the motor. The serial number is BBBE-2001082 located front of engine block and the Stern bracket number is BBBU-3000217He advised the engine could have been sitting around in a warehouse and be a 1998 or it could be a 1999 or 2000 model since it was invoiced 10/99. I noticed that the hub kits for the prop divide the 95-98 and 99 and up. Mine does not have the cotter pin holding the prop nut. It uses the nut and the washer with the tangs(?) that you bend down to keep it from backing off. I did notice the 99 and up has a cotter pin w/nut. I am still in the process of haggling this out with the dealer but am trying to gain further knowledge in the event I am stuck with this rig.

 

[hondon]

Re: Difference in 1998 and 1999 Honda BF90A

Any Honda dealer should have the literature nessesary to determine what year this engine is.Whether or not they know where they put it or how to find it is anyones guess.You have a gearcase made for Honda by Mercury Marine.That is a Merc gearcase so consequently,most of the propshaft assembly is very similar.Easy enough to tell which gearcase you have.If you have plastic water pickup covers you can remove,that is a Honda gearcase,if they are cast into the case and impossible to remove,that's a Merc gearcase.