Need Help W Identifying Merc 183 HP Motor

[jvitt]

I was wondering if any one could help me identify my Merc 183 HP motor. The serial number is 748157. I was hoping to figure about what year it is, and what motor it is. It looks like a Ford to me, but I'm not 100 percent sure. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Need Help W Identifying Merc 183 HP Motor

Ayuh,... Never heard of a 183hp,... But, the 188hp was a 302 Ford....
Vintage would be Mid/ late 70s...

 

[Don S]

Re: Need Help W Identifying Merc 183 HP Motor

Like bondo, I've never heard of a 183 hp either. Could part of the number be missing? Could you discribe the engine a bit? The 188 he mentioned is a V8 Ford , there was also a 185 V6 or a 488 4 cylinder.
Or post a picture.

 

[jvitt]

Re: Need Help W Identifying Merc 183 HP Motor

This is definately a 183. There are no parts of the number missing. Here is a photo of the valve cover.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need Help W Identifying Merc 183 HP Motor

Yep, the number 3 is damaged 8. You have the Mercruiser 188, Ford V8