Deducing Model Year of Yamaha Engine From Its Serial Number

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Author Topic:   Deducing Model Year of Yamaha Engine From Its Serial Number

Rio San Juan posted 10-28-2009 10:47 AM ET (US)
Hi all, I'm looking at a totally basterdised Whaler 13. The hull was built in 1964 and the interior is from an [c.1980] 13-footer. I'm having a hard time deciphering the year of the [Yamaha] engine, model number 40ELF, serial number 6h4l417275. Thanks
Rodger posted 10-28-2009 05:34 PM ET (US)
Yamaha made a 40ELF in 1989 so that would be my guess.
Rio San Juan posted 10-28-2009 05:47 PM ET (US)
Thanks Roger, searches I've run on 40 Elf all point to 89 as well. Quite possibly I jotted down a wrong number or letter when I took the serial number.
jimh posted 10-28-2009 07:44 PM ET (US)
How are you deducing the model year from the serial number? Tell us the method.
TransAm posted 10-28-2009 08:13 PM ET (US)
You can call Yamaha customer service and they can decode your engine serial number and convert it to year and model type. Yamaha has been happy to help in this regard.
number9 posted 10-28-2009 09:57 PM ET (US)
Yamaha used the last letter of the model to designate year. "F" = 1989. Prior to 1991 it was a reverse alphabetical order that skipped some letters. More recent years, 1991=P through 2005=D in normal character order.
TransAm posted 10-29-2009 07:34 AM ET (US)
It is widely known how to deduce the model year from the model number. The question posed in this thread is how to deduce model year from the serial number.
jimh posted 10-29-2009 08:24 AM ET (US)
A chart containing information on how to decode the model number of a Yamaha outboard motor is shown at
http://www.marineengine.com/mfr/yamaha_models.html
Rio San Juan posted 10-29-2009 10:05 AM ET (US)
Yamaha 40 elf
6H4L= Model number?
417275 = serial number?
JimH, I looked at the chart in the link that you posted prior to posting here and couldn't seem to come up with an answer.
I got these numbers over the phone and was not able to see the plate on the engine so as I said something may be off.
Tohsgib posted 10-29-2009 10:13 AM ET (US)
Jim's is more detailed but accurate as well.
Yamaha Model Designation
Imbedded in the model number is the horsepower and year of the engine.
For example:
If your model number is 115TRR your engine is a 1993 115hp engine.
The first numbers are the engine hp.
The last letter corresponds to the year listed in the chart below.
1984(N) 1985(K) 1986(J) 1987(H) 1988(G) 1989(F)
1990(D) 1991(P) 1992(Q) 1993(R) 1994(S) 1995(T)
1996(U) 1997(V) 1998(W) 1999(X) 2000(Y) 2001(Z)
TransAm posted 10-29-2009 10:25 AM ET (US)
Yamaha serial numbers are generally arranged by an initial 3 alpha-numeric characters followed by 7 numeric characters. The first 3 characters are usually sequenced numeric-alpha-numeric. The last 7 characters all numeric. I do not know this to be the case in ALL serial numbers. In your case, I would first research 6h4-l417275 as a possible serial number. Your model number 40 ELF is decoded by the chart jim has provided as a 1989 40 HP, manual tilt w/electric start in 20" shaft.
Rio San Juan posted 10-29-2009 10:52 AM ET (US)
Doooh !!!(sound of hand slapping forehead)40ELF is way to easy! I was going into the chart using only 6H4L 417275, hence my confusion.
Thanks all!
number9 posted 10-29-2009 11:05 AM ET (US)
TransAm,
FYI, "Topic: Deducing Model Year of Yamaha Engine From Its Serial Number" may not have been the original "Subject" but the edited version, as I recall the original subject line was a bit less formal? Just adding to Rodger's answer with some explanation as the others followed with.
Bill
skred posted 10-29-2009 11:40 AM ET (US)
Interesting: my 40 hp model is "40LTRNC" It's supposed to be a 2004, and looks like it - but what's the "C" designate?
skred posted 10-29-2009 11:41 AM ET (US)
Ooops - never mind... Just means "C Series"..
number9 posted 10-29-2009 12:34 PM ET (US)
skred,
The "C" indicates a 2004, no idea what the "N" would be.
Bill
Tohsgib posted 10-29-2009 12:49 PM ET (US)
Skred...in 2002 they started back with "A" again so your C is 2004.
number9 posted 10-29-2009 01:00 PM ET (US)
Here's a link to a more complete list of year codes for Yamaha in MS Word. http://personal.inet.fi/yritys/anymec/US&CANADA%20IDENTIFICATION.doc
Bill
number9 posted 10-29-2009 01:26 PM ET (US)
Found a couple of other handy links. Not the most current or easiest to navigate but much info.
Bill
2006 Yamaha Reference Guide - Click on page number for detail.
http://www.usboatsupply.com/yamaha_outboard_parts2.php
Evinrude Johnson Quick Parts and Accessories Reference Guide -
Click on page number for detail. http://www.usboatsupply.com/Evinrude_Johnson_Parts_Catalog2.php
number9 posted 10-29-2009 01:36 PM ET (US)
skred,
Does your 40LTRNC have trim and tilt? Realize most do but trying to figure out that "N".
Bill
number9 posted 10-29-2009 02:32 PM ET (US)
Found a reference for the 6H4L. The "L" indicates shaft length. The "6H4" is the Prefix Model Code indicating year the model or series was first built. http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/yamahaModelGuide.html
skred posted 10-29-2009 03:36 PM ET (US)
Number9, Yes mine has Trim & Tilt - as the model number indicates. I thought the N was the 2004 year designator. It makes sense that the C is the designator since mine is a 2004.
TRLNC then becomes: Trim & Tilt, Remote, Long Shaft, ?(N)?, 2004...
That N is a puzzlement...
jimh posted 10-29-2009 09:32 PM ET (US)
The 6H4 prefix in the serial number indicates 1983.
(That is according to a chart I was working on some time ago; I actually forgot about that chart. I don't think it is linked anywhere on the website. I assume the search engine found it for you.)
A 1983 engine seems more likely for a the engine on a 1964 boat that is "totally basterdised." [Bastardized?]
number9 posted 10-29-2009 10:14 PM ET (US)
Jim,
Not correct. The "6H4" is the Prefix Model Code indicating year the model or series was first built/introduced not the year of the engine. In other words no significant changes since being introduced in 1983. It's still a 1989.
Bill
Rio San Juan posted 10-29-2009 11:23 PM ET (US)
'83 or '89 the bastardized beauty is now mine!
http://www5.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=502418028/ PictureID=15182818028/a=965141028_965141028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/ COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/

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Author	Topic: Deducing Model Year of Yamaha Engine From Its Serial Number
Rio San Juan	posted 10-28-2009 10:47 AM ET (US) Hi all, I'm looking at a totally basterdised Whaler 13. The hull was built in 1964 and the interior is from an [c.1980] 13-footer. I'm having a hard time deciphering the year of the [Yamaha] engine, model number 40ELF, serial number 6h4l417275. Thanks
Rodger	posted 10-28-2009 05:34 PM ET (US) Yamaha made a 40ELF in 1989 so that would be my guess.
Rio San Juan	posted 10-28-2009 05:47 PM ET (US) Thanks Roger, searches I've run on 40 Elf all point to 89 as well. Quite possibly I jotted down a wrong number or letter when I took the serial number.
jimh	posted 10-28-2009 07:44 PM ET (US) How are you deducing the model year from the serial number? Tell us the method.
TransAm	posted 10-28-2009 08:13 PM ET (US) You can call Yamaha customer service and they can decode your engine serial number and convert it to year and model type. Yamaha has been happy to help in this regard.
number9	posted 10-28-2009 09:57 PM ET (US) Yamaha used the last letter of the model to designate year. "F" = 1989. Prior to 1991 it was a reverse alphabetical order that skipped some letters. More recent years, 1991=P through 2005=D in normal character order.
TransAm	posted 10-29-2009 07:34 AM ET (US) It is widely known how to deduce the model year from the model number. The question posed in this thread is how to deduce model year from the serial number.
jimh	posted 10-29-2009 08:24 AM ET (US) A chart containing information on how to decode the model number of a Yamaha outboard motor is shown at http://www.marineengine.com/mfr/yamaha_models.html
Rio San Juan	posted 10-29-2009 10:05 AM ET (US) Yamaha 40 elf 6H4L= Model number? 417275 = serial number? JimH, I looked at the chart in the link that you posted prior to posting here and couldn't seem to come up with an answer. I got these numbers over the phone and was not able to see the plate on the engine so as I said something may be off.
Tohsgib	posted 10-29-2009 10:13 AM ET (US) Jim's is more detailed but accurate as well. Yamaha Model Designation Imbedded in the model number is the horsepower and year of the engine. For example: If your model number is 115TRR your engine is a 1993 115hp engine. The first numbers are the engine hp. The last letter corresponds to the year listed in the chart below. 1984(N) 1985(K) 1986(J) 1987(H) 1988(G) 1989(F) 1990(D) 1991(P) 1992(Q) 1993(R) 1994(S) 1995(T) 1996(U) 1997(V) 1998(W) 1999(X) 2000(Y) 2001(Z)
TransAm	posted 10-29-2009 10:25 AM ET (US) Yamaha serial numbers are generally arranged by an initial 3 alpha-numeric characters followed by 7 numeric characters. The first 3 characters are usually sequenced numeric-alpha-numeric. The last 7 characters all numeric. I do not know this to be the case in ALL serial numbers. In your case, I would first research 6h4-l417275 as a possible serial number. Your model number 40 ELF is decoded by the chart jim has provided as a 1989 40 HP, manual tilt w/electric start in 20" shaft.
Rio San Juan	posted 10-29-2009 10:52 AM ET (US) Doooh !!!(sound of hand slapping forehead)40ELF is way to easy! I was going into the chart using only 6H4L 417275, hence my confusion. Thanks all!
number9	posted 10-29-2009 11:05 AM ET (US) TransAm, FYI, "Topic: Deducing Model Year of Yamaha Engine From Its Serial Number" may not have been the original "Subject" but the edited version, as I recall the original subject line was a bit less formal? Just adding to Rodger's answer with some explanation as the others followed with. Bill
skred	posted 10-29-2009 11:40 AM ET (US) Interesting: my 40 hp model is "40LTRNC" It's supposed to be a 2004, and looks like it - but what's the "C" designate?
skred	posted 10-29-2009 11:41 AM ET (US) Ooops - never mind... Just means "C Series"..
number9	posted 10-29-2009 12:34 PM ET (US) skred, The "C" indicates a 2004, no idea what the "N" would be. Bill
Tohsgib	posted 10-29-2009 12:49 PM ET (US) Skred...in 2002 they started back with "A" again so your C is 2004.
number9	posted 10-29-2009 01:00 PM ET (US) Here's a link to a more complete list of year codes for Yamaha in MS Word. http://personal.inet.fi/yritys/anymec/US&CANADA%20IDENTIFICATION.doc Bill
number9	posted 10-29-2009 01:26 PM ET (US) Found a couple of other handy links. Not the most current or easiest to navigate but much info. Bill 2006 Yamaha Reference Guide - Click on page number for detail. http://www.usboatsupply.com/yamaha_outboard_parts2.php Evinrude Johnson Quick Parts and Accessories Reference Guide - Click on page number for detail. http://www.usboatsupply.com/Evinrude_Johnson_Parts_Catalog2.php
number9	posted 10-29-2009 01:36 PM ET (US) skred, Does your 40LTRNC have trim and tilt? Realize most do but trying to figure out that "N". Bill
number9	posted 10-29-2009 02:32 PM ET (US) Found a reference for the 6H4L. The "L" indicates shaft length. The "6H4" is the Prefix Model Code indicating year the model or series was first built. http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/yamahaModelGuide.html
skred	posted 10-29-2009 03:36 PM ET (US) Number9, Yes mine has Trim & Tilt - as the model number indicates. I thought the N was the 2004 year designator. It makes sense that the C is the designator since mine is a 2004. TRLNC then becomes: Trim & Tilt, Remote, Long Shaft, ?(N)?, 2004... That N is a puzzlement...
jimh	posted 10-29-2009 09:32 PM ET (US) The 6H4 prefix in the serial number indicates 1983. (That is according to a chart I was working on some time ago; I actually forgot about that chart. I don't think it is linked anywhere on the website. I assume the search engine found it for you.) A 1983 engine seems more likely for a the engine on a 1964 boat that is "totally basterdised." [Bastardized?]
number9	posted 10-29-2009 10:14 PM ET (US) Jim, Not correct. The "6H4" is the Prefix Model Code indicating year the model or series was first built/introduced not the year of the engine. In other words no significant changes since being introduced in 1983. It's still a 1989. Bill
Rio San Juan	posted 10-29-2009 11:23 PM ET (US) '83 or '89 the bastardized beauty is now mine! http://www5.snapfish.com/slideshow/AlbumID=502418028/ PictureID=15182818028/a=965141028_965141028/otsc=SHR/otsi=SPIClink/ COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/