New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

[3ball]

So I just purchased a 2002 Reinell 240 BR with a 5.7 Merc. It did not have the plastic cover on the top & I am trying to determine anything I can about the engine. Where is the serial number located? Is it in one of the pictures I have attached? I was told to gap my plugs @ .035 for all engines prior to 2002 and to gap them @ .06 for all engines 2002 & beyond. I am not sure if my engine is 2001 or 2002. Thanks for the help, I am sure I will have many more question but i'll start with this one.

 

[Don S]

Re: New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

Look for a tag just above the starter on the back of the block. It has the SN on it. IF you can't get your head in there to read it, use that digital camera.

 

[3ball]

Re: New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

I found it..... M320848. Will this tell me the engine model and year?

 

[Fun Times]

Re: New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

I found it..... M320848. Will this tell me the engine model and year?

Engine Manufacture Date was: 09/18/2001.

The spark plugs for your engine are (AC 41-932) And they should be pre gapped at (0.060)
Now for an (FYI) Mercruiser part number 33-884019 AC 41-932 Has Superseded over the years between the numbers listed below, So you have a choice, But remember they need to be pre gapped, Do not gap them your self. Good luck with it.

1 33 8M2018369 00 ACT NGK ITR4A15 @4

2 33 884019001 01 SS AC 41-993 @8

3 33 884019 02 SS AC 41-932 @8

The service manual for your engine is #31 V8 ENGINES 5.0, 5.7, 6.2 Part number 90-864260T00.

 

[3ball]

Re: New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

Boat Tech, why do you say do not gap ourselves? we put new plugs last week & gapped them to 0.060. What is the downside to this & should I replace them again??

 

[Fun Times]

Re: New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

Boat Tech, why do you say do not gap ourselves? we put new plugs last week & gapped them to 0.060. What is the downside to this & should I replace them again??

Read the last two post here, It will say why I said it.
If your carefull you can gap them, But it's not recommended.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=386927

 

[Don S]

Re: New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

They do come properly gapped from the factory, and shipped with a cardboard ring around the base so the tip does not get bumped. In the old days, plugs could be bought with the gaps closed because the plugs got hit on something. With modern technology and proper packing, it's not much of a problem.
The reason regapping the 41-XXX series plugs is not recommended is because the are platinum. The center electrode is very thin, and as anyone who has ever gapped plugs with a pocket gap gauge knows, if they are too tight you twist the tool to open the gap a bit. With the platinum plugs, this damages the center electrode.
Sooooooo, if you have to open the gap, do not pry against the center electrode.
I always check the plugs and I have always found them with in .001 of where they should be.

 

[3ball]

Re: New boat, Now I have questions. where is the serial #

would damage to the electrode be visibly evident? From what I can tell they look OK & we didn't feel anything break when we gapped them.