Need help identifying motor

[SilverSS07]

Hey guys. I hate asking questions like this but I'm not getting anywhere on my own. I bought a Evinrude V4 outboard today and can't find any serial or model #'s on it anywhere. I have no idea of the year or HP. There's nothing on the transom bracket and I can't find anything on the powerhead. There are part #'s all over it but that's all I can find. It is a light blue color and has power trim/tilt. Runs great and has 124 lbs of compression x 4 . I can get some pics of it tomorrow. Any pointers on where exactly to look on the powerhead or any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Need help identifying motor

If the ID tag is missing, look for the welch plug. About the size of a quarter.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Need help identifying motor

If the ID tag is missing, look for the welch plug. About the size of a quarter.

The welch plug will be nearby the lifting eye bracket rear of the flywheel......

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Need help identifying motor

On some of the older crossflows, the model and serial is stamped on the casting plug on top of the engine as was previously mentioned. here is what you are looking for. It is probably painted over, but it's there.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Need help identifying motor

Is this the welch plug that's supposed to have the info on it? I can't find anything on it at all.

A few more pics of the motor.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Need help identifying motor

I'm going to start replacing hoses and fuel lines today and cleaning her up some. I'd like to order a repair manual also so I want to make sure to get the right one . I know not to buy a Seloc- those things are useless. Found that out with my Mercury that this will be replacing. This is what I plan on putting her on after I can sell the old Merc 500. She should scoot along pretty good!

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Need help identifying motor

The plug has been removed so it seems....and the ID tag is gone?

I hate to say this, but usually that is the case when the motor has been stolen at one time in its life. Either that or painted/restored, but I dont think thats the case with yours. There would be no other reason to remove those 2 items other than theft.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Need help identifying motor

Crap I really hope that isn't the case.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Need help identifying motor

Since I have no idea what year it is and what HP it is should I just get a more generic manual for it instead of the factory service manual? Any guesses?

 

[Shakedownscott]

Re: Need help identifying motor

I would try and identify your motor at least a little bit and get a factory manual. You don't have to be exact but if you can figure about what Hp and year the facory book will be much better than a more generic manual.

There are parts manuals online with exploded views and part numbers. You can look at the part numbers you see on some of the parts and try and figure out what you have. It definitly takes some detective work. I am sure someone on this site will have good info too.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Need help identifying motor

Based on the coils it has fitted.....its somewhere in the late '70s to early '80s range.

Might be a stretch, some numbers off the carb assemblies may id the hp......

What is the max rated hp of your hull.....looks a little on the small side for a V4?

 

[F_R]

Re: Need help identifying motor

The plug has been removed so it seems....and the ID tag is gone?

I hate to say this, but usually that is the case when the motor has been stolen at one time in its life. Either that or painted/restored, but I dont think thats the case with yours. There would be no other reason to remove those 2 items other than theft.

Yep, all ID removed is a dead giveaway clue that it is a stolen motor. Amature crooks miss the powerhead plug, more experienced ones are aware of it and remove it. Then there the ones that go the next step and paint it the wrong color.

Dual powerpacks place it at 1978 or newer.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: Need help identifying motor

Based on the coils it has fitted.....its somewhere in the late '70s to early '80s range.

Might be a stretch, some numbers off the carb assemblies may id the hp......

What is the max rated hp of your hull.....looks a little on the small side for a V4?

The guy I bought it from told me he was pretty sure it was a mid-late 80's motor but hadn't run the numbers yet to find out. He also said he thought it was a 85 or 90. The boat is rated for 85 so I thought it would be ok. He told me I could get some #'s off the carbs to find out what hp it was. I'm just really not sure what to do at this point if the motor is more than likely stolen. He told me he bought it last year from a friend of his who had left it sitting in a barn for several years.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Need help identifying motor

The guy I bought it from told me he was pretty sure it was a mid-late 80's motor but hadn't run the numbers yet to find out.

If its originally a non VRO motor and im assuming that's the case? (introduced on '84 and up V4s except the 100 which got it in '85)......then its in the range of '79 to '83. Some vendors have a way of stretching the truth.

 

[F_R]

Re: Need help identifying motor

1. If stolen, you have no idea when it was stolen. Could have been 30 years ago, or last month. 2. Unfortunately for the victim, there is no way he can identify or claim it unless he had made some sort of unique marks on it. That is why there are trainloads of stolen motors out there and the crooks get away with it. Almost like finders-keepers.

I guess it comes down to a matter of concience. You seem concerned about it and I commend you for that. Can you live with it and be comfortable? But let this be a warning to anybody buying an outboard. Or trying to sell a "hot" one. People in the know are wise to the missing serial numbers trick. Too bad the average Joe isn't.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Need help identifying motor

The dual side-mounted power packs like on your engine started in 1978. If the cowling is original it may help with the year. Evinrudes were dark blue up through 1982, and used the raised, stamped metal name badging on both sides of the cowling. They first started using the light silver blue color around 1983, I believe. In 1984, they still used the light silver blue color, but the badging on the cowling nose would have said VRO, as that was the first year for the VRO system. The 84 140 only used a raised, stamped metal name badging on the starboard side of the cowling. (not like yours on the port side.) Likely a 1983 engine. I'd suggest getting an original 83 factory service manual from Outboardbooks.com, or call Ken Cook Co., in Milwaukee. Go with a factory manual. Substitute service manuals are not worth the money.

 

[mark1961]

Re: Need help identifying motor

Actually, i believe silver was pretty much the hue on the V4's from '79 thru to late '80s.....on the powerhead and midsection atleast.

 

[emdsapmgr]

Re: Need help identifying motor

The 70's and the early 80's engines were typically painted the same color as the rest of the engine. In late 80's all engines were black, regardless of engine color.

 

[reiddo1]

Re: Need help identifying motor

Looks like the 1982 johnson a friend of mine has. Good luck.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Need help identifying motor

It's a 140 horse in any case - bubble back exhaust... In my opinion, WAY too much power for that old tri-hull.