An 40 hp Mercury outboard, serial number 7197998 would be a 1983 year model.
A 40 hp Mercury outboard, serial number 7032376, would be a 1974 year model.
The serial number 0C264698 for a Mercury 40 hp outboard motor indicates that it was manufactured in 1984. The first letter "C" in the serial number signifies the year of production, and in Mercury's coding system, "C" corresponds to 1984.
A 40 hp Mercury outboard, serial number 5897057, would have been manufactured in late 1981.
A 40 hp Mercury outboard, serial number 6052990, would be a 1982 year model.
on a 5 year old 40 hp mercury it is on the left side of the engine block
somewear between 1989-1993 , had the same question for my engine
Here is all the info you need. Product Information Serial Number: 0G616727 Model Number: MER 1043411UN Manufacturing Year: 1997 Description: 3-CYL.CLASSIC 40
.40
1990-91.
A 40 hp Force/Mercury outboard, serial number OE050151, would be a 1994 year model.
You will have to call Colt with the serial number to find out.