What Gen 496?
 

How do I determine what Gen my 2002 496 engines are? Serial Numbers are OM348444 and OM348383
Cant seem to find any reference to what Generation they are

Thanks,

Kevin

As far as I know, all 496's are a gen VII. What are you trying to accomplish?

Yes all the 8.1/496 from 2001 to the end of production are considered a gen VII (7). There were some slight updates over the years to the fuel system (around 2005 ish), the heat exchanger size, and the exhaust manifolds to mention a few. Yours from 2002 should have the aluminum exhaust manifolds, a 3.5" dia heat exchanger, and the Gen 2 cool fuel system. There were a very few early 2001 496HO engines that had the forged crank made by Kellog. The rest of the engines have a cast crank and non forged rods/pistons. All have smartcraft and can utilize the vessel view technology.

Just to correct the above, all 496's do not have smart craft. My 2002 did not even though it had smart craft stickers on it.

That's false advertising Underpsi68! Everyone loves stickers though.

Just want to know for the Cool Fuel issues with the paint flaking off inside the fuel pumps and getting into the injectors. Some were saying it was the later Gens that had this issue, others say it was resolved in later Gens. Dont know where my engines fall in this situation.
Also, good to know if ordering parts.
I didnt realize there was a Gen VII of the 496.

Thanks for all the info.

Kevin

Technically.

There isn’t a Gen VII of the 496.

The 496 is the Gen VII of the big block chevy.

How would I know if my Cobalt has it or not? I have the stock Faria Beade gauges. COMMANDER version, but no digital output to a network connection, that I know of.

From Mercury

"The SmartCraft line of products are applicable to all Mercury/Mariner OptiMax outboard engines starting with Model 2000, and all MerCruiser 8.1 liter engines for Model Year 2001"

I called up Mercury racing and actually got a guy that was very helpful AND knowledgeable. He had me going thru the wiring harness on the engine as I was talking to him for quite some time. My engine was missing some wires/connectors.

I know it states all 8.1 are Smartcraft. After talking to this very knowledgeable tech, mine was not, nor were the earlier serial numbers. I wanted to connect the engine to my Garmin 740. I was never able to do it. Mine was also a 2002 FWIW.

Not to confuse the issue, but a 496 is a stroked 60 over 454. Not all 496s have to be Gen 7 motors. It's the first time in the BBC series, since 1965, that a motor is nothing like it's predecessors. No parts swapping with 454s etc. and parts are harder to come by.

Did you see the opening post ?

Nosuh... Even with that though, engines get swapped out all the time. My comment was just a heads up for some guys that might not know there are 496s that aren't Gen 7 motors.

Why do you say this? Other than some backorder pandemic related delays, it would seem you can get any part for them. It's hardly a low volume custom engine series.

If you've ever been a gear head you would know where I was coming from. I'm sure you can get any part for them on-line or even from dealers, but it's not like Mk IV or Gen 6 motors. Just about everything is interchangeable besides the crank from 1965-2000. Used blocks are everywhere for relatively reasonable prices and the knowledge base is far greater. I'm not saying a 496 is a bad motor. I wish I had one right now lol My motor is down...

I like to think I am a gear head! The 496 has to be one of the most debated, misunderstood, loved, hated motor in recent memory. In OEM form they were hard to fault IMHO. They have their quirks, sensors galore, over engineered cooling system, rage inducing water pumps, and god forbid you crack one open looking for more performance.

Probably in another couple of years all of the current LS marine engines will start showing their spots and we'll look back and say....those late model 496's were a peach.

Your 2002 (if original) has a gen 2 cool fuel system so you won't have the paint flaking issue. I actually like the gen 2 system, it has an adjustable fuel pressure regulator from the factory. Gen 3 cool fuel started in the mid 2000s, and at some point I think mercury fixed the paint flaking issue before the end of production. FYI my 2004 had a gen 2 in it.