Year of 8hp mariner serial number OC179412. Location of water inlet.

the number under your serial number is year manufactured and parts a marina shop --boat repair shop --online search

Question edited for clarity.
Question moved from Computers.

Puzzled by the 'OR' serial number prefix

https://www.themanualstore.com/Mercury-Mariner-Outboard-Motor-Model-Year-Lookup-Guide-s/269.htm

This article says your engine is a 90hp! :>D

http://www.marineengine.com/boat-forum/showthread.php?431664-Mariner-30hp-what-year-is-it

https://www.google.com/search?q=mariner+30hp+year+of+manufacture

..

Product Line Year H.P. Model Number Model Description MERCURY 1978 115 1115628 MERC 115

Nothing in the Mercury Mariner Outboard engine model numbers or serial numbers provides year information directly

Hey Peter, try these guys.
https://www.marineengine.com/

Bruce,
Do you have the serial number of the motor? Reason I ask is twofold. Evinrude started using this model number layout as of 1980. Having said this, something is not making sense with the location of the "N" in your model number. Those last two letters as of 1980 are the year. Here is the chart. Letter on top with corresponding year below it.

I N T R O D U C E S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

So... Example
1980= CS
1990= ES
2000= SS
2010= IS

You have E8RLNR which breaks down as:
E= Evinrude
8= 8hp
R= Rope start tiller steering
L= 20" shaft
N= 2nd year
R= 4th year

I would expect to see the N in the last spot:
1982= CN
1992= EN
etc.

Serial number is another way to identify the year.
This may hep point you in the right direction. Hope it helps.

marineengine.com/parts/engine-model-guides/omc-johnson-evinrude-model-number-guide/omc-johnson-evinrude-model-number-guide-00004.html

Regards,
Fred

Hello,

Mariner 4hp are identical to Yamaha engines.
You should find a sticker on the port bracket with serial and model number.
If that sticker has disappeard, an aluminum piece is stamped in the side of the cilinder. The numbervstamped in that round pieceis the serial number. I can convert that serial number in a year/model number...

According to i-Boats, "Nothing in the Mercury Mariner Outboard engine model numbers or serial numbers provides year information directly.
The first serial number sold in a year becomes the beginning serial number. Serial numbers between that year's beginning serial number and the next fall into the same year. Search for your engine horsepower on the Mercury Mariner serial number year chart located here to find the beginning serial number for the range that includes your engine." Your other option is to take the serial number to an authorized Merc marine eager and they can look it up for you.

call mercury outboard they can tell you the answer to your question

Hey Steven,
get one of these manuals, you will be glad you did,, it will serve you well for as long as you own your Mariner! The guys at MarineEngine will be glad to help you too!!

Mariner Outboard Service Repair Manuals by Seloc 1977 2004

Outboard Motors Boat Parts Marine Engines Inboard Boat Motor