I bought this 88SPL from a neighbor to clean up and resell. The label that usually give the information I asked for is gone. Can anyone look at the paint and underhood layout and give me a good idea of the year. FWIW it has factory tilt/trim.
I have a stock standard 1988 90 HP Evinrude and it doesn't have the schrader valve on the primer valve which would make me think yours is later than 1988 unless it's been upgraded.
I don't think tilt& trim came with unregulated (see stand alone rectifier) motors.
I'm thinking the powerhead & cowl may have been replaced with a poverty pack later model.
This is an unregulated rectifier model, the primer got me thinking, but that started with VRO in 84, 85 didn't it? The carbs have socket head cap screws (Allen bolts) not hex head bolts. It also looks like the ID plate was a decal, not the old stamped aluminum plate. I'm thinking early 90's? It has the carbs with the plates on top, and the throttle mechanism is different from an 86 VRO model 90 I once owned.
The 88 SPL models were actually a 90, stripped of expensive parts to hold the cost down. An OMC marketing gimmick to reduce the sale price vs Mercury. Base price did not include: a combination regulator/rectifier (rectifier only), No VRO pump, no power trim. At the time of dealer purchase, the new owner had to option of adding components. As a result, many of these 88 specials did have power trim. Added at point of sale. Other than these items, it is a basic 90 hp Johnson.
The thumb wheel type timer base adjustment suggests newer than 1988 unless it's been changed. The timer base adjustment on my My 1988 110 is the old style block with 3 holes.
As for the schrader valve, my 1990 88 SPL doesn't have it so 1991 or newer is looking likely.
I'm gonna look the 91 parts blow up over, I think it needs a roller in the throttle mechanism.