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engine identification problems 1981 140 hp

T

thorne1

New member
i recently purchased a 17' 1981 rinker open bow boat with a 140hp mercruiser outdrive and i can't find anything on the net telling what the engine with the outdrive is... can anyone tell me what the engine with it is or how i would go about determining what engine it is. this information is needed because all of my wiring connectors are either rusted or corroded and need to be replaced and i am trying to find a wiring diagram for the engine and also need to know in case i need to order replacement parts

thanks in advance for anyone willing to help
 
Re: engine identification problems

there should be a serial number plate on the port rear of the motor when looking at the motor from the front inside the boat, it will be on the motor most rear port flange infront of the bell-housing up above the starter motor. That is for the motor, then you will have another serial number on the upper drive engraved in the drive again port side when looking at the rear of the boat from outside the boat. 1981 model if it has a round back cavitation plate then it is likely an I-drive if it has a square back cav plate then MR Drive or 1st gen Alpha but I think 81 is too early for Alpha.
 
Re: engine identification problems

Is the motor a 4 cylinder?

If so, I would suspect it's Merc's 3.0 liter (181 cubic inch) "model 140" built between 1968 and 1989.

And agree with Dave, an 81 would be a pre-alpha drive.

The guys in the Mercruiser section of this board would probably be more helpful for future questions.
 
Re: engine identification problems

thanks for the help.... the engine is the 3.0, but how do i know what company made it or does that matter? from my research i have found that those years were either made by ford or gm, my question now is will the parts be different or should they be the same for the most part since they are supposed to be the same engine?

and sorry i put this in a random spot on the forum, i'm new to this kind of question and answer stuff, so i just put it in the first spot that i saw that made sense

thanks again
 
Re: engine identification problems

Most times GM and with ford, the engine blocks have those cast in to them somewhere, have a look on the sides for makers marks. You may need a torch under manifolds etc.

B
 
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