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.