354HC (71) leg with 55Hp motor but unsure of the yr of the motor plz help

[diamantina86]

hi,
i have an old 35Hp (354HC 1971) leg but the engine has been changed over to a 55Hp engine (informed by a boat mechanic) but i would like to know if the engine has its own serial numbers to find out what year it is so i can get parts and keep it in its good running condition, i have had some starter motor problems and constiantly repairing it but noticed some numbers under where the starter bolts on are these engine serial numbers???? any help would be awesome thanks
P.S. also i would like to know where i can actually buy these parts noting that i live in Sydney Australia

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 354HC (71) leg with 55Hp motor but unsure of the yr of the motor plz help

That series 35, 45, 50, 55 all used the same leg, lower unit, water pump, and other parts. TYhe only thing you need to be careful about is the water pump. While the impeller was the same, some early models used a three bolt pump casting and later models used a four bolt casting. I think your 1971 was a four bolt pump. Carbs were, of course, all different but all are interchangeable. There should be an aluminium plate at the front of the cowling lower plate. This will give model and serial number of the 35 unless it was also changed. From that you can at least determine the year of the leg and lower unit--1971--unless it was also changed. SOME Chrysler blocks have a number stamped in near the head and it is, in theory, possible to find out from Mercury what year the block was---but don't bet the ranch on that.

Buying parts? Try franzmarine@aol.com or old outboard parts. Shipping charges will kill you though

 

[diamantina86]

Re: 354HC (71) leg with 55Hp motor but unsure of the yr of the motor plz help

I need a new water pump too and yes it is the 4 bolt type, with the number 504060 stamped onto it, the compliance plate has model number 354HC and serial number 3176 stamped on it, I will have a look tommorrow and try to find a number stamped on or around the block but I cant recall seeing one on it, thanks so much for your help, all I need now is to find a supplier in Australia to buy the parts, oh and a bush kit for my starter motor ( Prestolite MGD 4002B-12v B1)