Under the decal the number is stamped into the casting. If you just want to know if it's an Alpha One or a Gen II, does it have 4 nuts and bolts holding the upper and lower together, or is it studs and nuts?
"Only" if knowing the drive is original to your 1996 boat then by then it's going to be a Alpha One Gen Two Drive....The year made might be either 95 or 96 and if the boat was made later in the year the drive could also be considered a 1997....Knowing the exact year is really only depended on what repair you plan to do. If it's just general maintenance, it won't matter much to really know but may help if you're buying certain rebuild parts, etc.. If you're looking for the original gear ratio, the serial number helps but there are other ways to find that too.
Do you know your transom assembly and engine serial number?
