I don’t fool with mercs too much. I have a 9.8hp serial number A177168. The thing is that when I look at model year charts, it’s putting it as a mid 60’s model. I’m pretty sure this isn’t right, because it has CD ignition and I think it’s probably from the mid to late 80’s. Anyone bring me up to speed on how to identify these motors?
The A prefix puts it mid 1980s. Brown stripe cowling? Should be about 1985, but I’m not finding the A prefix on the 9.8 model, only the VERY different 9.9.
The ‘A’ prefix says 1986, first year for the 9.9. There’s probably many sources for the Merc ser # charts, one is the NAPA Marine catalog. Bug your local store for an old copy…