What year is my Mercury Motor 15hp Serial Number A197124

[basbalj288]

I'm selling my Mercury outboard 15 hp motor and need to know what year the motor is. All I can find is the serial number of A197124. I am pretty sure it's an early 2000's but want to be sure as to not deceive the buyer. I have looked and looked online to see if I can find out any info on the year. Does anyone know how to determine the year of the motor by just a serial number? Does the motor have a model number anywhere that I'm just missing? Thanks so much in advance.

 

[basbalj288]

[No message]

 

[basbalj288]

Maybe a later 90s model like a 96 or 97 possibly? I saw an online video of one that looked very similar from what I can tell. Anybody dare take a guess?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gawotRDDTo

 

[basbalj288]

I just need a ballpark to tell folks and don't feel honest if I'm not at least in the correct decade. The thing runs like a champ and can speak for itself but I just feel weird trying to sell it without publishing the year of the motor. I wouldn't buy a car without knowing the year for instance..

 

[Fun Times]

Are you sure the serial number is correct? Your number 0A197124 is coming up as an 1986 8-HP Model Number 1008206

Looking at the parts diagram for the 8-hp engine it could have been converted over to an 15-HP after being bought new...
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/6-0a197112-thru-0d280999

Either way the a serial number that starts with 0A usually is an midish 80's year model.

Just looked at a serial number chart...I don't even see a 15-HP engine with a starting of 0A....That mentioned, in the 8-HP chart shows your serial number of 0A197124 to be pretty close to the very start for the 8-HP serial number range.....The range is

8

A197112 - A971338

1986

 

[flyingscott]

8 hp Mercury cannot be converted to a 15 hp. The blocks are different one is a 10 cid and the other is 15 cid.

 

[Fun Times]

8 hp Mercury cannot be converted to a 15 hp. The blocks are different one is a 10 cid and the other is 15 cid.

Thank you flyingscott, I see that now....my mistake on the above post for conversion.
CRANKSHAFT, PISTONS AND FLYWHEEL (6/8/9.9)
CRANKSHAFT, PISTONS AND FLYWHEEL(15)

 

[flyingscott]

But the hoods do interchange.

 

[basbalj288]

Very interesting... I am correct about the serial number. It's listed the same in two places. I think that's what was throwing me off so much. The SN kept showing up as an 86 8hp when I looked it up instead of a 15hp which is what I've always believed it to be given the hood and the power of it - I mean I can get up to 22-23 mph in it and just can't believe an 8hp could generate that much power, though maybe so.. Thanks for the help guys

 

[basbalj288]

Is there any discerning part I could easily look at to tell whether it's really an 8hp with a 15hp cover?

 

[Fun Times]

Where did you pull the number from? A welch plug from the engine block or off of the mounting transom bracket assembly as both are described in the following link as examples, https://www.perfprotech.com/blog/mar...-number-number

^ Sometimes the numbers are mismatched.

Another way that sometimes helps is to locate the numbers on the carburetors then post them and/or try comparing them to the carburetor numbers in the parts link or a service manual.....Best to post the numbers though as there are a few members here that know them by heart or has a list....But not i.
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/6-0a197112-thru-0d280999


CARBURETOR , WMC 17\17B\17C\18\18A\18B\20/20A/20B\23



CARBURETOR ASSEMBLY(15)



CARBURETOR(WMC5A/WMC5B/WMC7/WMC7A/WMC19/WMC19A)

 

[basbalj288]

I find the SN on both the transom mount and the welch plug and both match as shown in two of the photos.

Good idea about the # on the carb. I took a photo of the carb number which shows as 1049 49A. Does that number mean anything to anyone?! 15hp or an 8hp carb is the question at hand fyi..

Thanks for the continued support in this mysterious quest!! I have to say I am intrigued now.