198? Mercury Mariner S/N lookup issue

[swimmin' for shore]

Hi. I have a Mercury Mariner here. It came off of a 1987 boat and the obvious conclusion is that it should be a 1987 motor, but I'm having a tough time with the serial number lookup and thought someone might shed some light. The number on the transom bracket is 0815851. I just cant seem to get it, but may just be slow for some reason today. Anyone tune in with what year that is? The motor's in a thousand pieces, so this is a mess right now.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 198? Mercury Mariner S/N lookup issue

A 1987 serial number will start with a B or 0B. It may be stamped on a round welsh plug on top of the motor.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: 198? Mercury Mariner S/N lookup issue

Apart from the 'B' issue, there is a digit missing. Should have 8, not 7.
That is assuming the '0' is in fact an '0'.

Belgium built mercs in 1987 begin with '09'.
American built mercs '0A' or 0B' (depending on HP).

 

[swimmin' for shore]

Re: 198? Mercury Mariner S/N lookup issue

I got it guys. I had purchased this from someone who wasn't too outboard bright. He brought me a box of parts, but didn't understand that the tilt/trim, swivel bracket, and transom bracket left on the motor belonged with the rest of it, so he still had it on his boat. I got it today and he had read it wrong. It wasn't 08...it was OB...so I figured it out. Thanks for the help, though.