[96blackmariah]

I have a 96 with a 350. I fried my outdrive how do i tell which one i have. I tried getting the serial number but i cant read it.

[stereoman405]

Most of the time if you can at least get the ENGINE s/n (usually off the plastic spark arrest shroud), you can call up Merc and they will tell you exactly what drive was mated from the factory. I've done this very thing on a number of boats. The catch is that if the drive was ever replaced or re geared you're out of luck.

[ShabahZ280]

My guess is it's probably an Alpha. They use the Bravos on the higher HP big block engines.

How did you "fry" it?

[Z 202]

Yes, most likely match to the 350 is an Alpha 1.

The drives have different profiles, you should be able to tell just by looking at it. See the images on this page: http://www.boattest.com/engines/engi..._ln=MerCruiser

Note the profile of the upper part of the unit, and how it's substantially "beefier" on the Bravo model.

[96blackmariah]

Well i think it just wore out the boat has over 1500 hrs on it and it orginal one. But the gears are stripped out.

[WetWilly]

Whoa, 1500!?! I think 96blackmariah just got the prize for the most hours on a Mariah!

[96blackmariah]

Well the boat came from a rental company off lake travis in Austin. I am the thrid owner. The second owner completely rebuilt the motor and put all new tan leather interior and gell coated it black. He told me only thing he hadnt done was mess with the outdrive. The boat is still in great shape.