OMC (Johnson & Evinrude) have changed how they indicate the year in the model number several times. Depending on the year range your motor falls into, you will find your engine year information differently.
Please CLICK HERE for PRE-1980 Johnson or Evinrude Outboards.
OMC outboard engine numbers can usually be found on the nameplate ID tag located on the clamp or swivel bracket of the engine. The ID tag will contain a model number and a serial number.
OMC uses the model number to identify the year and certain options of that engine. Engines after 1980 use a two letter code at the end of the model number based on the following key:
1980-1998 ENGINES
I = 1
N = 2
T = 3
R = 4
O = 5
D = 6
U = 7
C = 8
E = 9
S = 0
Example: CE=1989
1990-1998 ENGINES
I = 1
N = 2
T = 3
R = 4
O = 5
D = 6
U = 7
C = 8
E = 9
S = 0
Example: EE = 1999
2002-UP Engines
I = 1
N = 2
T = 3
R = 4
O = 5
D = 6
U = 7
C = 8
E = 9
S = 0
Example: SO = 2005
Finding the Model Number
The model number for Johnson and Evinrude outboards is usually found on an identification tag that is located on the transom mounting bracket of the engine. Hopefully, the model number is still legible when you find it! One of the most common problems we encounter when helping people to identify parts for their engines is that after years of wear, the model number is no longer readable. We strongly recommend that you write down your engine model number somewhere safe so that you have an additional resource to refer to long after the original identification tag cannot be read.
Finding Evinrude Outboard Model Numbers
Evinrude / Johnson Model Number Variation and Style Example
Identifying the Model Variations and Style
Model numbers for Johnson and Evinrude outboards always begin with one or two letters giving some basic information about the engine. A number will follow after these letters. These letters represent the brand of the engine along with any model variations, but the variation designation will not always be present. If your model number has just one letter before the number, then your engine does not have any model variations. If there are two letters before the number, then the first letter will be the model variation, and the second letter will be the engine brand.
Model variations are used to designate some special design variations with the engine. This usually appears when the engine was manufactured in other countries besides the United States. It can also be present to designate when an engine with certain features was produced specifically for a boat builder.
Model Variation options for Johnson/Evinrude engines are:
A = Australia
B = Belgium
C = Canada
H = Hong Kong
S = South America
T = Tracker Boats
V = Boat Builder
The engine brand - or "style" as it is referred to by BRP - will either come after the model variation, or it will be the first letter in the model number. It illustrates the specific engine brand of either Johnson or Evinrude (or the lesser known OMC outboard brand, Quiet Rider). In some rare cases, there will be no letter present for designating style - in these cases, the engine was originally produced for commercial vessel use.
Style options for Johnson/Evinrude engines are:
J = Johnson
E = Evinrude
V = Quiet Rider
Blank = for commercial use
Identifying the Horsepower
The next section of the model number on Johnson and Evinrude outboard engines is the horsepower. There will be two or three numbers that represent the horsepower of the engine. This is the most straightforward part of the model number and the easiest to understand. It's also one of the most critical parts of the number needed in order to properly identify the engine and look up parts for it.
Evinrude / Johnson Model Number Horsepower Example
Evinrude / Johnson Model Number Design Features Example
Identifying the MANY Design Features
The next section of the Johnson and Evinrude model numbers is the most complex. Following the horsepower, there will be one or two letters that identify specific design features of the engine. These features can be related to a number of different characteristics, including starting style, tilt/trim options and even paint color. To further complicate this portion of the model number, in 1999 BRP overhauled and reduced the number of design feature codes available. So, if your engine was manufactured before 1999, the list of codes available for your engine are different than the list of codes for engines manufactured in 1999 and afterwards. Don't know what year your motor was manufactured? Keep reading - we're getting there!
Design Feature Options for Engines Manufactured BEFORE 1999
Design Feature Options for Engines Manufactured in 1999 & AFTER
AE = Electric Start - Alaska
AR = Rope Start - Alaska
BA = AC Lightning - Rope Start
BE = Belgium Derated - Electric Start
BF = Belgium Derated - Rope Start
BG = Belgium Derated - Rope Start
BI = Belgium Derated - Rope Start
BR = Euro Rope Start
C = Counter-Rotation
CE = Canada Derated - Electric Start
CR = Canada Derated - Rope Start
D = Remote Electric
DE = Derated - Electric Start
DR = Derated - Rope Start
DT = Derated - Electric Start/Trim & Tilt
E = Electric Start
ER = Electric Start - Sport Styling
ES = Electric Start - Special
FA = 4 stroke, Rope Start - AC Lightning
FE = 4 stroke, Electric Start/Tiller
FP = Commercial with Program Tilt
FR = 4 stroke, Rope Start
FRE = 4 stroke, Electric Start/Remote
FS = FICHT, Trim & Tilt
FT = FICHT, Trim & Tilt/Special Styling
G = Special Styling
H = Less Integral Tank/Hydraulic Steering
I = FICHT Fuel Injection
IE = Italy Electric Start
IK = Italy Electric Start
J = Jet Drive
K = 3-Cylinder 25/35
KC = Kerosene Rope Start
KG = Kerosene/Gasoline
KS = Kerosene Rope Start
M = Manual Tilt - Electric Start
MS = Manual Tilt - Electric Start/Special
N = Counter-Rotation
P = Power Steering
Q = 3-Cylinder 25/35 Trim & Tilt
R = Rope Start
RA = Australia Rope Start
RC = Rope Start - Commercial/CD Ignition
RD = Rope Start - Deluxe
RE = Remote Electric
RP = Commercial with Program Tilt
RS = Rope Start - Commercial
RW = Commercial with Interlock
S = Sail - Special Styling
SC = Special Styling/Counter-Rotation
SE = Electric Start Non-Tilt Sail
SI = Italy Special Derated
SL = 60°V, Trim & Tilt
SP = Special Styling
SR = Rope Start - Sail - Non-Tilt
ST = Special Styling - Trim & Tilt
T = Trim & Tilt - Electric Start
TE = Tiller Electric
TR = Trim & Tilt - Sport Styling
TT = Tiller - Trim & Tilt (Backtroller)
U = Manual Tilt
V = Special Gearcase
W = 110° Angle Drive - Rope Start
WM = Electric Commercial - Manual Tilt
WMP = Same as “WM” w/Chrome Pump
WT = Electric Commercial - Trim & Tilt
WTP = Same as “WT” w/Chrome Pump
3 = 3 cylinder (25/35HP)
4 = 4 stroke engine
B = Blue paint
C = Counter rotation w/tilt & trim
D = E-TEC
E = Electric start w/remote steering
F = FICHT fuel injection
G = Graphite paint
J = Jet
M = Military model
P = Power trim & tilt
R = Rope start w/tiller steering
S = Special styling (White Evinrude)
T = Tiller steering
TE = Tiller electric
W = Commercial model
Identifying the Shaft Length
The next section of the Johnson/Evinrude model number refers to the lower unit's vertical shaft length. This is important because the vertical shaft length ultimately determined the height of the lower unit and is needed to properly match the engine to different sizes of transoms. In some cases, there will not be a letter present for the shaft length - in those cases, the shaft length will be the standard 15 inches.
The Johnson/Evinrude Shaft Length options are:
Blank - 15 inches
L = 20 inches
Y = 22.5 inches
X = 25 inches
Z = 30 inches
Identifying the Model Run or Suffix
If there is any letter after the date code in the Johnson/Evinrude model number, it is simply a designation of a particular model run or suffix. It's useful for identifying slight variations of engines made within the same year, but what that particular letter may represent from year to year may vary. It's not terribly important to know what the suffix letter represents, only that it is a part of the overall model number. In many cases, there may not be any model run or suffix present at all.
To be redirected to BRP's website to find the OEM part numbers you are looking for please click here: