Older Merc 98 outboard

[jimj]

"I've not been able to com

"I've not been able to come up with a year model for this Merc. 9.8 either from a dealership or online, Ser# A177557. It seems to have 80's vintage graphics and hood. I was told originally by a dealership that it was a '78 but this serial number doesn't match up to anything "on the books". Any ideas?
Thanks"

 

[galamb]

"Jim, you have a "cross ov

"Jim, you have a "cross over"

Yours is a 1985 model.

9.8/7.5 Mercs were essentially the same model and were discontinued in 1985. 99% of them had a serial number which was all digits.

In preparation for the "new line" that Merc was bringing out in 1986 they included a letter (A in this case) in the serial - but started putting these new serials on the motors part way through 1985.

So your serial was actually destined for a new 9.9, quite a few 9.8's ended up with alpha numeric serial.

And while it makes it sometimes difficult to find the serial (because as you state, it just don't match up) - it definately indicates a "latter" 1985 model..."