Advice and ID on a Mercury/Mariner inline 6

I was hoping someone could help.
My brother and I recently acquired what looks like a 80s Mariner 6 cyl.
It runs, but it sounds like one of the crank bearings has been damaged. I'm guessing previous owner forgot to pre-mix...

Being in South Africa, we are not spoiled for choice there are very few of these inline sixes still around.
We have to fix this one. I need to ID HP to order parts.

1. ID Problem
Sticker on transom bracket has been destroyed, the Welch Plug is gone.

I have found the following casting numbers:

Location: Near the flywheel on the block ( a large X with numbers 88) next to it
Location: In the middle of the block on the flange that mates with crank case numbers: 8 57 1

Other notes:
No oil injection
Power Trim and Tilt
Flywheel is red

2.Crank Bearings
If no ID is possible, can you guys advise if I can go to SKF and get new bearings?

3.Performance Upgrades

Then seeing that we are opening her up. What is your take on:

Wiseco Pistons and Rings
Boyesen Reeds
Porting and polishing block

Thanks in advance

Don't know a lot about inlines but if you do use Wiseco it might do you good to open up the bores just a bit as they seem to need a bit more clearance than the Mercs. Any synthetic reed will help and I like Chris Carsons reeds best. polishing exhaust has got to help but as far as porting ya better wait till an inline guru responds. Do a search as there are many discussions about the inline motors and even if they don't touch on this exact subject you will certainly benefit from finding out who is who. Good luck.

Rock

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthre...line-6-hop-ups

Does it have CDI ignition or a upside-down distributor? Usually what sounds like brg damage is usually piston slap. Can you post a picture of motor with cover on it,we can get the year real close by colors on cover.

Hi Greg,

Thanks CDI Ignition. The cover has unfortunately been spray painted, however the front cover plate has the following decal.
(note only the front cover with the words" Power Trim"
Attachment 380485

One of my inline 6's with a distributor had a squeaky odd sound. I let it idle for 20 mins and then i noticed the distributor was twitching slightly and hot. One of the bearings in there was bad, thank god because i thought it was coming from inside of the block.

I found the serial number on Welch plug B358471

Seems like its a 1988 115:)

Has anybody had any success with retro fitting 1965 Merc 1000 engine covers on a later 80s model?

I think maybe it's possible if you have lots of spare parts to experiment with. I have two red stripe 50hp. Both have completely different mounting systems. I have 2 115hp thinking 76 and 79 and a 69 100hp. The large center section are all different heights but all within 2 inches. I would have assumed all the same but nope let's make it hard on the public to just put an 84 shroud on a 74 motor.

Hi all just an update.:)

ive repainted the motor black with much love and detail.
We split the power head and found some horrifying repair work which is obviously the source of the engine noise. It seems that two rods we’re replaced with 3cyl rods, and were filed down on the big ends to make them fit on the crank������. I’ll post pics for advice shortly. I actually can’t believe this motor was running. The noise must be where the big ends of the rods were rubbing against the crank lobes

I want to order a rebuild kit from maxrules, anyone have any suggestions on where I can get rods?

Email Maxrules and ask him if he has some good used ones. I bet he does. If not I am certain someone on the inline facebook page is likely to have used ones they will sell you

I have rods if you need. free you pay shipping.

Hi All, Please have a look at these pics and let me know what you think happened to this motor
Attachment 389092this does not look like the correct rod, seems like it was grinded to fit

Attachment 389093this is original
Attachment 389094does the crank look ok?
Attachment 389095
Attachment 389096Scuffing
Attachment 389097
Attachment 389098
Attachment 389099Attachment 389100Attachment 389101

The stuff ya got looks ok.The rods with nuts and bolts are old style ,still useable. I use a hacksaw blade to clean out the carbon from ring grove.Rings must be free to be happy.Use 6 new rings in top slot.

So the original powerhead will need to be rebuilt, I’ll start a new thread on that subject as we want to basically replace everything and mod. In the meantime we have found an1983 115 in-line 6.
will the powerhead bolt straight on with 1988 carbs and electronics?