What HP?

DavidaP

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
8
I have a Mercury outboard and the cowling has 150 on it, which is the max rating for the boat. My father-in-law just gave me the boat and he said that when he took it to the shop for general tune-up the mechanic there said that the serial number shows it being a 200HP.<br /><br />I would like to find out exactly what size it is in case I need repairs in the future. The serial number is OD122751 and at http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/PartsExpress, it gives the model number as being 1200412MD.<br /><br />Also, can the year be varified with these numbers? It should be either a 1991 or 1992 year engine.<br />Any help with this will be appreciated.
 

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: What HP?

Welcome to ibaot and confirm your serial number.<br /><br />Sometimes motors are hybridized. Say one motor had a blown powerhead and another had a toasted gearcase. It could be two made into one. Somewhere there should be a silver (or painted black) welch plug with the serial number of the powerhead. Ideally the numbers should match, but if they don't, go with the one on the powerhead.<br /><br />How long is your boat? Over 20' and you can put a larger motor on legally. (That length may vary by state, so check.) If that's the case, then the max Hp is more of a guideline based on what the boat is designed to handle. A 2.5L 200 is no heavier than a 2.5L 150, just has more power.
 

DavidaP

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
8
Re: What HP?

Thanks Willy, I'm glad to be here. I also have a 1996 17' Deep-V Tracker with a 1978 Johnson 70HP. The Johnson motor came off another boat that my father-in-law gave me nine years ago. It's still a strong motor with 125-120-125 compression. But every time I push the throttle down it bogs down. I have to start out slow and gradually build up steam. The carburetors are clean and the plugs are new. I've had it in the shop but they didn't fix it. I've replaced the power-pack so I don't know what's wrong. Maybe the coils? I'd like to replace the electrical wiring, but I'll need to get a manual that has the individual wires sizes listed.<br /><br />******<br /><br />The boat boat that I've been talking about is a 1991 Procraft S180 18'. I looked the engine over pretty good and didn't see any numbers except the firing order. It could be that the number you're speaking of may be buried behind some other part and I just can't see it. The serial number I got was from the little metal tag near the steering arm. My father-in-law bought the boat in 1996 from a marina that took it in on trade. He was the second owner and as far as he knew it never had any work done to it outside of routine maintenance.<br /><br />I took it to the lake today for the first time and it ran good. This engine was originally an oil injected motor but the last time my F-I-L took it to the shop, the mechanic said that the injector was a plastic piece that would tear up eventually and it would be better to remove it and just mix the oil with the fuel. I used the batteries out of my 70HP boat and quickly discovered that they weren't strong enough for the big basser. There wasn't enough power to raise the engine off the transom saver. I had some jumper cables with me so I connected the two batteries and that was sufficient to raise the motor and start it. I'm used to pootering along at about 30 to 35 mph in the Deep-V thinking that I'm really moving. When I lowered the throttle in this bass boat it threw me into the seat and off we went. When the speedometer hit 65 and I still had throttle I pulled her back, too fast for me right now. All I could think of was if I were to hit a log floating just under the surface I'm a goner. Yeah, I think I'm going to like this thing.<br /><br />There is a switch on the throttle near the thumb that has up and down on it. I think it's to raise and lower the motor. It wouldn't work today because of lack of battery power, but is this how I would change the trim while in motion?
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: What HP?

David,<br /><br />Merc used to publish a book that listed carb numbers to horespower. I think it was produced specifically for situations like this. I don't have the book, but I have parts listings that include carb numbers. If you find the numbers I'll check and see if I can come up with anything. The numbers you're looking for will be something like WH-40, or KC-3, or WMV-5A.<br /><br />Chris............<br /><br />Edit: <br />
is this how I would change the trim while in motion?
Yes....
 

Paul Moir

Admiral
Joined
Nov 5, 2002
Messages
6,847
Re: What HP?

I found this (thanks to achris), mabey it's some help to you:<br /><br />V-6 Carburetor:<br />WMH-30 - 135hp<br />WMH-31 - 150hp<br />WMH-32 - Mercury XR6/Mariner MAGNUM III (150hp)<br />WMH-33 - 175hp<br />WMH-34 - 200hp<br /><br />Hope this helps!
 

DavidaP

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
8
Re: What HP?

I see the letters WMH but there aren't any numbers with it.<br /><br />Here is the only writings on the carb;<br />3308-9672-C (part number maybe?)<br /><br />16-1 2411 (on top carb) the middle carb has 16-2 and bottom 16-3 each with a different four digit number following.<br /><br />K inside a circle with XK below it.<br /><br />a "1" and with a "1" inside a square with an "A" beside it.<br /><br />That's it.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: What HP?

Found it. <br /><br />That carb number is WMH-16 and they were found on the 200 hp engines in the serial number group that fits your engine. The 16-1, 16-2, 16-3 signify the positions of the carbs on the engine, 1 at the top, 2 in the middle, 3 at the bottom. If you tear them down in the future, do it one at a time. The reason is that each carb has different size jets and if you mix 'em up, you'll toast the engine.<br /><br />The 3308-9673 is the merc part number for the carbs and the "XK" is the merc trade name for the aluminium alloy used to cast them, full name 'XK-360'.<br /><br />Well done.<br /><br />Chris...........
 

DavidaP

Cadet
Joined
Aug 22, 2004
Messages
8
Re: What HP?

So that mechanic was right then, it is a 200HP engine. Thanks Chris and everyone else for the help. When I buy a manual for the engine I'll know which size to get it for.<br /><br />Thanks again.
 

walleyehed

Admiral
Joined
Jun 29, 2003
Messages
6,767
Re: What HP?

Word of advice here...Get to know the boat, the equipment, the systems, etc...understand all aspects of high performance boats to a "T".<br />Do some serious research on how the trim will affect the ride and operation of that boat.<br />Don't want to scare you, just let you know a rig like this can swap ends faster than you can blink an eye.
 

Scaaty

Vice Admiral
Joined
May 31, 2004
Messages
5,180
Re: What HP?

And PLEASE keep ALL reciepts and part numbers, so the guy you give it to won't have to go through the same thing
 

Das Boot

Seaman
Joined
May 13, 2004
Messages
54
Re: What HP?

Hi Guys;<br /><br />Just following this out of interest, you guys are pretty good "dectives" congratulations on a job well done :)
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
Joined
May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: What HP?

David,<br /><br />Thanks for the thanks. As for detectives, Nah... Just been playing with these things too long. <br /><br />Chris..........
 
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