mercury 9.8 cooling problem trying to find year of motor

[i-am-moose]

i just got a merc 9.8 used and I don't know the year .There is no visible serial # tag on the outside of the motor or the steering mast. The motor says Kiekhaefer Thunderbolt Ignition Mercury 9.8. It also does not look like enough water is flowing out of the cooling port and the linkage for shifting seems backwards .If i push the shifter lever up i go forward ,down i go back.any help appreciated

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: mercury 9.8 cooling problem trying to find year of motor

Your shifting is actually normal for that era. Having Kiekhaefer on the face dates it as 1960s/early 1970s. The serial number should also be stamped in the motor block near the rear - seven digit number. <br />As for your waterpump - you will need the serial to get the right impeller - they changed the driveshaft diameters at some point and the serial number will tell you which side of the cutoff you are.<br />- Scott