What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

Calabrio

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 13, 2003
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43
Caught up in the moment, I purchased a boat without doing the proper research.<br /><br />The boat was sold to me as having a 200hp Mercury outboard motor on the back. I'm pretty confident that it's really more along the lines of an 1984 with 150hp.<br /><br />1. Are there any obvious cosmetica differences between a boat built before 1996 and after? When did Mercury change the engine cover or graphics?<br /><br />2. I've found a serial number tag on the transom:<br />6552325. I'm not certain that this is the correct one, but it appears to be. I believe it's a model 1150724, but I'm not sure. When looking for parts, that model looked to be the same.<br /><br />Any help would be appreciated differentiating these engines, and finding out the identity of the one on my boat. Thank you in advance....
 

The Marine Doctor

Commander
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Jul 25, 2003
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Re: What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

The engine if serial # is correct is pre 1985 150hp XR2<br /><br />TMD
 

Calabrio

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Sep 13, 2003
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Re: What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

So, what year did Mercury change the engine cover on it's outboards, from the square design, to the new more round shape?
 

andrewkafp

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Mar 15, 2003
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1,668
Re: What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

Definately 1984-5 (Don't know about XR-2 by the chart herewith) <br /> http://www.marineparts.com/partspages/techhelp/TECH15.HTM <br />The cowling cover should be a "Wrapper" type with a brown band. As far as I have discovered, the 1982-3 has 2 blue bands and white "Mercury". 1984 Started the brown band, and late 80's had a red band.<br />The square cover is more to do with the size of the motor. For instance a 1981 50hp has a one pce wrapper, but a 1981 200+ HP has the solid cover.<br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/watermark.php?file=527/14131981-med.jpg <br /><br /> http://www.myfishingpictures.com/watermark.php?file=527/1413DSCN1292-med.jpg
 

Calabrio

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Sep 13, 2003
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43
Re: What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

Can you differentiate a '96 Mercury 200 from a 1984 Mercury 200 simply by looking at the engine cover?<br /><br />Where do I find the small "freeze plug" looking ID tag on the motor. I can't find anything near the carbs.
 

andrewkafp

Lieutenant Commander
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Mar 15, 2003
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1,668
Re: What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

There would be many differences between them.You need to do some Image searches on the net, but the cowling would be very different. There is supposed to be a "Welsh plug" with the engine no embossed on it, somewhere on the crankcase.
 

JerseyJim

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2003
Messages
162
Re: What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

i have a similar motor (same block and wrapper, parts, etc) .....the freeze plug is behind the flywheel (standing in the boat and looking back..)... It should be between the two heads.
 

Calabrio

Seaman Apprentice
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Sep 13, 2003
Messages
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Re: What did I buy? Identify and distinguish Mercury Engines

This thing is a franken-motor.<br />2 piece heads, so I guess it's pre....89?
 
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