TOPIC: OMC stern drive guru?

Inquiring mind wants to know. I have a 90HP 1965 Evinrude stern drive in a Playmate. It has a plate on the motor that says DU-12ME.

From what I've "learned" so far. (correct or not) DU means OMC V4 motor, 12 means 1965 model year.

All models in this series are "12M" in some form. There is a DU-12M, a DUE-12M and the DU-12ME.

What does the "E" mean? Does it mean the same thing in a prefix as it does as a suffix? How do the 3 models differ?

Thanks,

Todd

Here is a link to Ultimate OMC website that describes the numbering system.

hhscott.com/evinrude/stringer_models.htm

That is where I got the info I had. They still don't say what E means. I had forgotten the M was the kind of steering though. Thanks.

The codes are a bit of a mistery to me too.

I believe E means extended or high profile. Truthfully, I have never seen a low profile DU. Actually, other than in my Shell Lake, I have never seen a DU installed in anything except OMC boats. I have seen catalogs (other baot brands) referencing the DU as available, but have never seen one.

Low profile DU. The only way that would be possible is to flip the power head so the cylinders V down rather than up. In some ways that would make more sense. Then the "front" like if it were and outboard would be on top. I would like to see one. (if one existed) I recall lots of boats having the OMC out drive, but there was no way to know what powered it without being on board.