I have a Mercury 200 hp V6 Black Max EFI. The motor came off a panga from Mexico that was confiscated by the Boarder Patrol. I bought it at a government auction they could not tell me the year because all the identification tags had been removed. I think its about a 95 or so? For $2000.00 price for the motor I took the gamble the motor runs great but I need to figure out what the exact year of the motor is. My question is there a way I can find out what years this motor is?
Year of a Mercury
- Thread starter SURFERJRB
- Start date
Destroyer
God
It used to be that Mercury would change the paint scheme of the cowls every year, so you could just look at the cowl and know what you have by the color of the stripes and their order, but I don't know if they do that any more. So, if the serial numbers have all been removed I don't know if there's a way to figure out the exact year, but just by looking at the cowl you should be able to get it down to a series of years. Look at your cowl, then do an internet search for Mercury engines. When you find one that looks like yours you'll know what series of years you have. I don't know if there's anything more than that. Maybe some of the other guys have more knowledge in this matter and can help further.
If you would, could you tell us more about the government auction thing? I've always been curious about them and it's good to hear from someone that's actually used/done it. Thanks
If you would, could you tell us more about the government auction thing? I've always been curious about them and it's good to hear from someone that's actually used/done it. Thanks
macojoe
Administrator
I use to own a 1990 Merc 90 hp, and they told me at the time that Merc made there motors by the lot, so my 1990 was just a year off my friends 1089 thats why they wanted the serial number when ordering parts. As they sold it as a 89,90,91 and so on till that lot was gone.
Use to be a number stamped into the freeze plugs on top of motor, you can use that to find out what year also/
Use to be a number stamped into the freeze plugs on top of motor, you can use that to find out what year also/
THEFERMANATOR
God
Post some pics of it and chances are we can guess pretty close to what year it is. Also with MERCS it is so easy to interchange cowlings and such that identifying what you have can be problematic.
draglink
Junior Member
You are exactly right...gave mine a facelift!! 135 Opti?? Hell no, 2.4 200!!
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Thank you for the info. I will try to post some pics if I cant figure it out. As far as for the government auctions they used to sell the hull and motors now they chop them up and scrap them. There are ton of good motors that they get but now they destroy them all.
Its tough I work part time as a tow boat operator and we contract with the goverment to tow these pangas and other boats. All get cut up and destroyed.
Its tough I work part time as a tow boat operator and we contract with the goverment to tow these pangas and other boats. All get cut up and destroyed.
bradford
God
Sounds like another example of government doing what it does best.
Ya know it makes me think. These engines are most likely stolen if the numbers are ground off which would piss me off for sure. But whats worse is the .gov if and when they do confiscate these boats and engines don't give anyone a chance to use them or buy them at a discount. They F-ing DESTROY them! If my boat was stolen and taken south of the border for sure I'd be pissed, but if I found out the .gov cut up the perfectly good hull and scraped a $10-$12k engine I don't know what I would think. Reminds me of the cash for clunkers program. What a f-ing waste!
Ya know it makes me think. These engines are most likely stolen if the numbers are ground off which would piss me off for sure. But whats worse is the .gov if and when they do confiscate these boats and engines don't give anyone a chance to use them or buy them at a discount. They F-ing DESTROY them! If my boat was stolen and taken south of the border for sure I'd be pissed, but if I found out the .gov cut up the perfectly good hull and scraped a $10-$12k engine I don't know what I would think. Reminds me of the cash for clunkers program. What a f-ing waste!
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From what I have been told the government holds on to these motors for a period of time. They try to find out whos motor or boat it belongs to if the insurance already paid out then they sell them. If not the motor and boat goes back.
No serial number on the freeze plug, when ordering parts they want to know te serial number and I know it will help.
Thank you for the help.
No serial number on the freeze plug, when ordering parts they want to know te serial number and I know it will help.
Thank you for the help.