Help missing divider plate 181032

[skialot2]

Hi all. I picked up one of the earliest 2.0 175 Merc V6 powerheads. Choke flap carbs, before oil injection. It's serial # 4303839. It's supposed to be in good condition. It feels good when I wiggle the flywheel by hand, I was told all cylinders have 120 PSI compression. So, I want to put it on a midsection and try it out. I found the correct oddball adapter plates #75836a1 and 86586a1 they are ore only used on serial #6618750 and earlier motors. The exhaust passages are shaped very different than all the others. According to the schematics there is a divider plate #181032 that goes between the top adapter plate and the powerhead. There is no actual picture but the drawing looks like a flat piece of steel with a gasket on each side. (#36 on the schematics) I can't find any pictures or any info on the internet about it at all. Does anyone know about this divider plate? Does anyone have one they would sell? Or even use it to make a copy? What would happen if I left it out. Would it work without it? I would appreciate any info anyone can give me. Thanks in advance.

[rock]

Are you referring to part #36?

Rock

[Jim Speros]

That divider plate is for Sea Ray cowling engines They were white with lift off cowls. What cowling are you using? You may not need the plate.

I had issue with one that was obstructing the water flow. Had to enlarge hole in the plate.

[tlwjkw]

That divider plate is for Sea Ray cowling engines They were white with lift off cowls. What cowling are you using? You may not need the plate.

I had issue with one that was obstructing the water flow. Had to enlarge hole in the plate.

thats why i didn't remember ever havin' that plate and i bought a brand new one in '76.........

[skialot2]

Are you referring to part #36?

Rock

Yes I am.

[skialot2]

That divider plate is for Sea Ray cowling engines They were white with lift off cowls. What cowling are you using? You may not need the plate.

I had issue with one that was obstructing the water flow. Had to enlarge hole in the plate.

I will be using this set of cowls. I believe they are the correct cowls for this year motor.

[Jim Speros]

Those cowls look like '78 0r '79 maybe. But yes split cowls or clam shell cowls were used thru '87.

The schematic pic shows contradictory info. The metal plate is for a lower cowl support on lift off bucket type cowlings. Yet, #32 in pic is for rear plate mount of split cowls you mentioned your running. I like to look up mercury parts on mercruiser.com site. It shows mercury images.

Clam shell cowls like you showed do not need the metal plate.

[rock]

Like Jim said you don't need #36. You will have something similar to #4. There is a bracket the attaches to it to support rear of cowling. If you are missing that piece, let me know.

Rock

[skialot2]

Like Jim said you don't need #36. You will have something similar to #4. There is a bracket the attaches to it to support rear of cowling. If you are missing that piece, let me know.

Rock

Thanks Rock. Between you and Jim I am positive I don't need that plate. I do have that cowl bracket. But one corner is broken off. If you have one, How much do you want for it? Thanks

[skialot2]

Those cowls look like '78 0r '79 maybe. But yes split cowls or clam shell cowls were used thru '87.

The schematic pic shows contradictory info. The metal plate is for a lower cowl support on lift off bucket type cowlings. Yet, #32 in pic is for rear plate mount of split cowls you mentioned your running. I like to look up mercury parts on mercruiser.com site. It shows mercury images.

Clam shell cowls like you showed do not need the metal plate.

Thanks Jim. Between you and Rock I am positive I do not need that plate. I usually use mercurymarine.com to look up parts. But the schematics are PDF and I wasn't able to post it here. I was able to copy and paste from Boats.net. I didn't even need to upload it.

I have been looking for replacement decals so I can refinish the covers. According to the aftermarket people, 1976 and 1977 used these decals.
Attachment 524754 1978 changed to these decals.
Attachment 524755 But who knows if they are accurate or not.

[tlwjkw]

I will be using this set of cowls. I believe they are the correct cowls for this year motor.

those are correct...........

[pcrussell50]

As long as you are using clamshells and the common 16A charging system you should be fine with the common divider used through 1987 or so. My 2.4/200 is a late 1990, so from the liftoff cowl generation.But the previous owner dressed it in the 16A gear with the clamshells. Fits and works just like was meant to be that way. You’d never know it was newer if you didn’t see the late November 1990 build date stamp.

-Peter

[skialot2]

As long as you are using clamshells and the common 16A charging system you should be fine with the common divider used through 1987 or so. My 2.4/200 is a late 1990, so from the liftoff cowl generation.But the previous owner dressed it in the 16A gear with the clamshells. Fits and works just like was meant to be that way. You’d never know it was newer if you didn’t see the late November 1990 build date stamp.

-Peter

Hi Peter I'm not following. The powerhead is a 1976. From what I am told I don't need the divider at all with the clamshell cowl. But the adapter plates are only used for the first few years. The exhaust ports are shaped completely different. This is the original shape exhaust They changed to the common shape after a few years If I used the wrong on there is no chance of getting a good seal. It's a shame because I have like 5 sets of adapter plates laying around. But I had to buy these early ones.

[tlwjkw]

those were referred to as "D" port exhaust by most back then.... think they went away in like '79 maybe?

[pcrussell50]

Hi Peter I'm not following. The powerhead is a 1976. From what I am told I don't need the divider at all with the clamshell cowl…

My mistake. When you were talking about the exhaust and divider plate, I thought you were talking about part number 2 and number 7 on your diagram, which Crowley calls the “exhaust divider plate”. Also, the exhaust divider plate you have, (again parts 2 and 7), are dependent on the year of your motor and whether you have a lift off or clamshell cowl. Every power head has one or the other, at the back in the V.

But it appears you are talking about the exhaust adapter plates that stack below the power head. That topic becomes a hot mess quickly when you mix and match power head years and cowls and such. I’m afraid I can’t be much help there. Best of luck. I’ve been following you since your misadventures when your mid and lower broke free and went to the bottom. And I’ll keep following here in the hopes of learning something.

-Peter