Mercury Outboard Motors Serial Number Search Mercruiser Alpha & Bravo Sterndrives: The serial number tag is located on the UPPER DRIVE SHAFT HOUSING (starboard side or on the back of the housing). Mercruiser Transom Assemblies: The serial number tag is located on the INNER TRANSOM PLATE inside the boat or, on the UPPER SWIVEL PIN. Mercruiser Engines: The serial number tag is located near the STARTER, by the flywheel housing or, on the ROCKER ARM or FLAME ARRESTOR COVER. However the PPT website will automatically correct your input if you accidentally enter an O. Serial numbers that do not follow this format but instead have 7 numerical digits are prior to 1980 and cannot be searched using PPT’S Online Mercruiser Parts Diagram Catalogs Lookup. Serialized Mercruiser Inboard Outboard Engines and Mercury Outboard Motor Serial Numbers (Read More) are in the following format 0W555555 beginning with the number 0 and not the letter O.