Vin lookup for mercury classic 40

[BigDaddyT]

I tried using the different resources and none of them looked right to me. SN is OC295721. 40 hp, says classic, 2 stroke 4 cylinder.

I have a 25hp oil injected merc for my dinghy and unfortunately it has been 100 percent trouble free so I am a complete novice to outboards. This 40 looks brand new but there is some pieces missing. When looking at the carburetors what is cylindrical and mounts on the left side? Where do I find carburertor covers and such? Someone changed it to a jet drive but I couldnt get my hands on the prop lower unit. Ive read online that it is only about 30 minutes to switch to a prop. Be nice to have both so I will be on the lookout for a good used lower unit. TIA for any help for this novice.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Vin lookup for mercury classic 40

Can't find that number anywhere except marinepartsman, they sell a manual for that number range but they don't give a year. Putting it in chronological order it is somewhere near 1990. An educated guess only.

 

[BigDaddyT]

Re: Vin lookup for mercury classic 40

Yeah, Im gonna go triple check the numbers. The motor is at my folks house so I will go over there tomorrow and double check that the C isnt a G. If it is a G it appears it might be a 96. I may just run by the merc dealer(it is 35 miles away) and price all the stuff thats missing. I never saw this engine complete so no idea how much is gone. I noticed a oil bottle for oil injection and the cylindrical thing that is missing in pictures of a similar engine. This doesnt say injection anywhere on it so I doubt one was there to start with. I hope the large capacitor lookin thing isnt too much dough. Im on a shoestring budget.
Anyone here have experience with Outboard Jets from california? Im wondering what this jet unit costed originally. I so wish I had the original lower unit. I may call them tomorrow to figure out what the previous owner paid for this unit. How much scoring on the lining is too much? The impeller is gonna need sharpened but its not destroyed.
I bought this off the side of the road from a friend of mines dad. He had no info on the engine when I bought it except for it runs. I think a friend of his had retired out of state and left it behind for him to sell.

 

[BigDaddyT]

Re: Vin lookup for mercury classic 40

Yeah its a C and a 1990. I called the local merc dealer today and they verified. The guy wasnt familiar with this model so he wasnt much help on my other questions.
What sits over the carburetors? Is there an intake of some sort. I have an air filter housing lookin thing on my 25. Is there any way I can see a pic of one for the 40 or buy one? I tried the different merc sites and came up empty handed. No good pics of the carb area and no listings for any kind of housing that bolts to the carbs.