Serial number location? Merc Classic 50

[Selmer]

I'm going nuts trying to find the serial number ID plate on my Mercury Classic 50 45 HP 1989 motor! The insurance company wants it for ID purposes on the policy, but I'll be darned if I can locate it. I've looked all over the place on the darn motor. Can someone help me see what must be hiding in plain sight?

[leech~~]

Isn't there a plate on the side of the motor mount with it on? I think it's the right side below the motor cowling?

[CAMAN]

It could be on a sticker somewhere on the motor mount bracket, also there should be an aluminum freeze plug about the size of a quarter somewhere on the side of the motor block with the number stamped in it. If you can't find anything you may want to bring it to a mechanic, they should be able to find it, unless they have been scratched off for some reason.

[Selmer]

I've looked in those places - but I need to get the degreaser out. Most of those areas are covered in a film of oil and dust gunk. Project for the next time I have an hour or two to spare and a good parts brush and some Go-Jo at hand.

[leech~~]

This is from a Merc motor site and sounds like the same thing you are trying to find. Hope it helps? good luck.

K.Kergan : The number you posted looks like a part number, there should be an aluminium tag on the mounting bracket with the serial number. It will either be on the front center where the steering cable goes through or down on the side of the transom bracket.

K.Kergan : It should have 7 digits with no spaces or dashes. Newer motors have a letter for the first digit but your's should be just 7 digits.

K.Kergan : If the serial tag is missing, the number is XXXX stamped on an aluminium plug on the side of the block near the top rear.

Customer : I'll have to check again but I am sure that tag is missing, There was a decal that was on the side of the motor that was faded and unreadable. I rubbed off trying to clean it so I could read it. I was told the motor was a 1985 but it has a 1984 hood on it.

K.Kergan : If it was a metal decal it was the serial tag

K.Kergan : Do you know what a core plug is?

K.Kergan : Same as a welch plug?

K.Kergan : The serial is stamped into a core plug on the powerhead

Customer : I looked again for the aluminium plug if its round and on the right side of the motor this is what was stamped on it B369702

K.Kergan : Yes, that's the serial number

K.Kergan : Your motor is a 1988 model, the 1989 models start with serial B393190

K.Kergan : The 1988 models start with B238644