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Mercruiser Small block serial # location

D

duo_prop_dad

Contributing Member
I am looking for the location of a Mercruiser serial # or other nomenclature

that would be on a GM 5.7 liter engine I am working on.

Late 80's to early 90's era.

Unfortunately , there was no sheet metal - oil pan/valve covers etc. that came with this
long block.

It is painted black with brass freeze plugs.

Thanks, John
 
if all the tinware is gone, there is no longer much Mercruiser about the engine. It is just a Chevrolet 350 with a marine cam (maybe)- so it won't have a Mercruiser serial number- I don't think any marine engine company stamped the blocks or anything like that- just tinware had a tag - occasionally a tag riveted or glued to the block

this site can help you ID the motor generation by the block casting number

http://www.nastyz28.com/sbchevy/sblock.php
 
Merc puts a rivited plate to the block above the starter with the serial number on it.

If it is gone see above post.
 
I agree with Hystat and Kghost. See the nastyz28 web site, or a hand full of other sites!

John, is this regarding the donor engine that you mentioned in "Makesumwake's" thread......... the block/heads that you are planning to build for your 23' Imperial w/ the Volvo Penta AQ271?
If so, and if this is destine for an over-haul, all you actually need would be the OEM casting numbers.

You have mentioned that the cylinder heads are #217. That number does not show up for me!

Bottom line, I believe that the casting numbers will tell you more about the engine block/cylinder heads, than the M/C serial number will for your purposes. Here is where you will find the casting numbers.

.
 
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on Conversion of Merc donor engine to roller lifter cam and vortec heads......

Ok, found tag above starter, broken off!!!

Casting # on rear of block -1409348 (might be 1408848, need to scrape paint)

stamped # in front of starboard head on block -VA1138AN

stamped # on fuel pump mounting flange -IC 88251

Head casting # is -14096217, these are 64 cc, hardened seat heads / crate engine/ 72 degree center intake manifold bolts/

center mounted valve covers.

Pistons are slightly dished with 4 valve relief cutouts, as near as I can tell, these are the typical Vortec piston.

My '88 Volvo engine #'s are unknown at this time, does have center mounted valve covers.

With a high rise intake manifold and Holley 4 Bbl.

I plan on leaving that engine intact, it is a sweet running engine.

Per Volvo specs, max degrees advance is 28 @ 3000 rpm, 8 @ idle, as I recall. which is less than a typical V-8, 5.7

John

I would love to find the stock cam specs for the Volvo AQ271 and AQ311 engines.

This data is hard to find..........
 
John, you've referred to this as the "donor" engine............. is it not being over-hauled?

Use a Google search to find info on your different casting numbers. Not all info will be accurate, so double check by reading several sources.
With the entire casting number now, I did come up with some search results today.
Here is a search for the cylinder head casting number.

Read post #21 here. These would appear to be a 64cc chamber non-Vortec cylinder heads.

FYI: The center bolt vavle covers began in 1987.
The Vortec cylinder head was not introduced until 1996, I believe.

Yes, GM typically supplied the full dished piston with the small chamber cylinder heads. :mad:

If this is a 1988 engine, and if you are wanting to add roller cam followers and roller cam, it will not be machined for the keepers nor the tray as shown here.

rollerlifters4213.jpg

(while this is a higher performance automotive, note the much better piston selection)


So this 1988 block will require some alternate hardware if roller cam/cam followers are to be used.
Nothing new...... this was common prior to GM's keeper/tray system.
(examples)

images
images





Post your progress, and have fun with the project!

.
 
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