Bad part is, I didn't even notice.:head:
Is it possible to tell externally from the rear which is which?

i know the feeling, before i got into sales. i would dread the summers, it would easily get into the high 90's in the shop.


to tell the difference between the two engines, just look at the heads, two piece heads mean cross flows, one piece means looper. they came out with the loopers when they started to use the lost-foam casting technique.

Looked at a site that sells rebuilt OMC powerheads
 

This is what they had available in V4

TYPE YEARS
crossflow flatback 78-02
crossflow bubbleback 78-98
60 degree carb 95-06
60 degree FICHT DFI 98-06
90 degree looper 85-01

This is what they listed in V6

TYPE YEARS
crossflow 76-91
60 degree carb 91-06
60 degree FICHT DFI 97-98
front oiler or rear oiler 60 degree FICHT DFI 99
water supply block HP 60 degree FICHT DFI 00-05
90 degree looper carb 86-01
90 degree looper FICHT DFI 99-03

Obviously you will need a lot more than the year of the motor to do an analysis of a problem. Always list your model number.