Merc. 3.0L i.d. confusion

[TKrause]

Little curious, the i.d. decal on my rocker cover notates the engine as a MCM 140 and the i.d. number as 5158698. However when i go to the service manual (#10) the i.d.'s for that engine start at 6852270 and go up to 0A484072. Aren't these number in sequential order going up from 685? or am i missing something?

In case it's needed the boat is a 85' Candia 170 Brougham, and the stern i.d. is 6880955

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc. 3.0L i.d. confusion

I would guess that somewhere in the last 15 years that the original engine failed and an older engine was installed as a replacement.
That serial number is for a 1979 model.

 

[TKrause]

Re: Merc. 3.0L i.d. confusion

Oh dear god, That's awesome. Then i'm assuming that's why none of the wiring color codes match up even on the factory harness. Can you tell me by the stern i.d. if that is even a proper mate for this engine?

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc. 3.0L i.d. confusion

The sterndrive is an 85. Probably what was original in your 85 boat. Just an older engine.

 

[TKrause]

Re: Merc. 3.0L i.d. confusion

The sterndrive is an 85. Probably what was original in your 85 boat. Just an older engine.

Thanks Don, just trying to iron out some starting issues on this thing and i could not figure out why things were slightly off. Now it makes a bit more sense.