My bravo 1 upper failed a while ago, so since I had to rebuild/replace it, I decided to upgrade to the Bravo 1X, and bought a reman 1X from Jasper Engines.
A friend of mine just pointed out that the Bravo 1X should have the finned top cap, which the one I purchased does not have. Is there any other way to tell if what they sold me is in fact an X, or just a standard Bravo 1? Were the 1X drives ever produced with the smooth top cap?
Evidently the serial number plates are just decals, and the unit was completely stripped and repainted during the reman process.
Thanks.

The easiest way to tell is look at the pinion retainer nut, if has the holes around the outer circumference for the wrench, it's an X , if it has the nut with the tabs for the wrench, it's not.

Excuse my ignorance but where is the pinion retainer nut located? Is there a way to tell without removing the drive?
Thanks.

It's right behind the u joint, you would have to remove the drive to see that, there really isn't any other way to tell without removing it... the ribbed top caps can be added to a std. Bravo for that matter... rhe earlier x/XR's didn't have ribbed top caps

Look at the tower. Just pop the top cap off

You are correct.....Spoke with Mercruiser. First year production, sloped back case X's did not have the finned caps. Of course that simply means it "could" be an X,

Once the cap is off, what am I looking for?

I have a 1x without a finned top cap.