'88 60 HP Mercury Outboard Question

[tactransman]

Where do I find the model number?

Lower unit pics:

[R/T hedkace]

 Here's a pic I took for ya straight out of our Mercury library to give you a better idea possibly 
 (If you do not have a three plug system and you have a two, pay no mind to the extra "vent/fill" hole on the top of the gear case in the pic.)
It's just a reference pic I thought may help you. 





         
I know one thing at a time, but while your down there you may want to just give your prop a quick spin, (careful, they're usually pretty sharp) and keep an eye on the end of the prop shaft that sticks out the center of the prop, (this is where your exhaust exits).
Just see if you can see any wobble there. A LOT of prop shafts are usually bent and that can cause a pain in the @ss vibration.
I think off hand the maximum allowance is about .009.
If you can't see anything obvious with your eye, as far as deflection then don't sweat it, just wanted to give you a little heads up 

[R/T hedkace]

Ok, your serial #s should be on your swivel bracket/transom mount on EITHER side, (I circled it in this random pic)


 It will start with a letter........OC OD OG OF etc......
And following that with be 6 numbers

[R/T hedkace]

And judging by the pic of your lower unit, your bottom gear case drain screw should be right around where I circled.

[tactransman]

Jeff,it was exactly where you circled. wiiildcat,you were right,you have to tilt the engine way up to see it. Thanks guys! 

[wiiildcat]

cool deal, glad you get to take the family out now, be safe and have fun 

[R/T hedkace]

Jeff,it was exactly where you circled. wiiildcat,you were right,you have to tilt the engine way up to see it. Thanks guys! 

Glad you got it situated.
Just make sure when you take the drain screws out you get in there with a pick/small flat head and get ALL of the old o ring seal out.
A lot of times the drain screws will have been overtightened and have crushed the o ring up in place which will cause a leak if you don't get it completely cleaned out before you put the new ones in.
 Also, do not overfill it.
You stand the chance of blowing a propshaft seal, or a shift shaft seal.
Just once it reaches the top fill hole let a little seep out, no biggie 

[tactransman]

Jeff,one more question. I would like to get a new prop also,how do I know what pitch to get? Does my old one have it marked on it?

[R/T hedkace]

Jeff,one more question. I would like to get a new prop also,how do I know what pitch to get? Does my old one have it marked on it?

 Yes the old one will have it marked on it.
It is usually in one of three places.
1)on the outside of the cone
2)on the end where your prop shaft nut is,(you may have to take off the nut on the end of the prop shaft to see it fully)
3)you WILL have to take the prop off and it is on the very end inside where your thrust washer is.

 My 
Take the prop off either way.
This will allow you to grease up the splines of the prop shaft, and also see if there is any fishing line wrapped around the propshaft where your seal is.
This can sometimes cause a leak if it gets under the seal, so it's a good idea to check it out anyways 

 Also if your prop is not in too bad of shape you can send it out to be rebuilt for a small fee.
I think our shop gets around $50 to $60 for it.
Do you have a pic of it so I can tell whether it is a candidate for  a rebuild or if it is too far gone?

[tactransman]

[R/T hedkace]

Judging by the pic of your prop, I'd just have it rebuilt and save yourself a few bucks