Identifying Crusader Inboard Marine Engines
When you are searching for parts for your boat's engine, it's very important to have the proper information regarding the brand, size and type of engine that you have. Unfortunately, every engine manufacturer uses different information and a different system to identify their engines. Crusader engines have been used frequently over the past several decades in the marine industry, particularly in larger cruisers. Some may think that Crusader engines are easy to spot with their trademark blue paint, and that’s mostly true. However, there was a short period where some Crusader engines were painted red! Identifying a Crusader engine can be a bit confusing, so in the article below, we will step through how to find the correct identification information for Crusader engines.
Model, Serial and Year
For many brands of marine engines, identification is a fairly simple process. You simply obtain a model number or serial number, and that number will tell you exactly what engine you have. Unfortunately, identifying Crusader engines are not so simple. You’ll actually need BOTH the model number AND the serial number in order to properly identify a Crusader engine. What’s more, a manufacturer year is also valuable.
If you don’t know the year of manufacturer, the serial number can help you to find it. Crusader serial numbers are broken into ranges that correspond with specific year models. Prior to the year 2000, the beginning and ending serial numbers were hard to follow, so we’ve provided a chart to help you decipher the correct year from the seral number ranges. After 2000, the serial number range breaks become more straightforward and easy to follow. This change followed the acquisition of Crusader by Pleasurecraft Engine Group in 1999.
Finding Your Information
Depending on how old your Crusader engine is, the identification tag for the engine can be found in different area on the engine. The XL model series was introduced in 1992, and anything prior to the XL series has an identification tag that can be found on the flywheel housing of the engine. This tag should contain both a model number and serial number for the engine, as well as information about the spark plug gap and the model of distributor used on the engine.
Starting with the XL series engines in 1992, the identification tag for Crusader engines has been a metal plate found attached to the engine block itself. This plate contains the model number and serial number of the engine. Also on these later model engines, a specification decal can be found on one of the valve covers. This decal contains a lot of information about the engine, including the model series, the displacement, the firing order, the distributor model, the spark plugs and more.
Crusader Engine Serial Number to Year Chart
| Engine S/N From | Engine S/N Thru | Year |
| 35865 | 38541 | 1982 |
| 38542 | 43469 | 1983 |
| 43470 | 50458 | 1984 |
| 50459 | 56633 | 1985 |
| 56634 | 64548 | 1986 |
| 64549 | 73099 | 1987 |
| 73100 | 80122 | 1988 |
| 80123 | 84967 | 1989 |
| 84968 | 87880 | 1990 |
| 87881 | 89297 | 1991 |
| 89298 | 91279 | 1992 |
| 81280 | 93416 | 1992 |
| 93417 | 95934 | 1993 |
| 95935 | 98570 | 1994 |
| 98571 | 100800 | 1995 |
| 100801 | 102521 | 1996 |
| 102522 | 103866 | 1997 |
| 103887 | 104618 | 1998 |
| 600001 | 600304 | 1999 |
| 600305 | 600999 | 2000 |
| 61xxxx | 2001 | |
| 62xxxx | 2002 | |
| 63xxxx | 2003 | |
| 64xxxx | 2004 | |
| 65xxxx | 2005 | |
| 66xxxx | 2006 | |
| 67xxxx | 2007 | |
| 68xxxx | 2008 | |
| 69xxxx | 2009 | |
| 70xxxx | 2010 | |
| 71xxxx | 2011 | |
| 72xxxx | 2012 | |
| 73xxxx | 2013 | |
| 74xxxx | 2014 | |
| 75xxxx | 2015 | |
| 76xxxx | 2016 | |
| 77xxxx | 2017 | |
| 78xxxx | 2018 | |
| 79xxxx | 2019 | |
| 80xxxx | 2020 | |
| 81xxxx | 2021 | |
| 82xxxx | 2022 |
Deciphering the Crusader Model Number
The format for Crusader model numbers has changed much over the years. Earlier models had a simple model designation like “305XL” or “454XLi”. These were easy to follow codes that let you know the size of the engine and the model series. When Crusader was acquired by Pleasurecraft Engine Group in 1999, they began to change their model numbering. Beginning in 2000, Crusader engines began using model numbers coded with numbers and letters containing much more information about the engine. This format changed once again in 2006.
For models from 2000 to 2005, the model number contains usually 10 digits. An example is CXLXHFL245. These digits represent the following:
- 1st space: Manufacturer
- C = Crusader
- 2nd space: Factory Freshwater/Closed Cooling
- Blank = Raw water cooling
- X = Fresh water cooling
- 3rd space: Engine rotation
- L = Left-hand rotation
- R = Right-hand rotation
- 4th space: Engine Type
- A = GM 5.7L (350 CID High Output)
- G = GM 5.0L (305 CID)
- K = GM 7.4L (454 CID)
- L = GM 5.7L (350 CID)
- N = GM 7.4L (454 CID High Output)
- Q = GM 6.0L (366 CID)
- X = GM 8.1L (496 CID)
- Z = GM 8.1L (496 CID High Output)
- 5th space: Drive Manufacturer
- H = Hurth
- T = Walters
- V = Velvet Drive (cast iron 71C/72C)
- W = Borg-Warner
- 6th space: Drive Function/Application
- F = Full reversing
- R = Reverse / Reduction
- V = V-Drive / Reversed risers
- 7th space: Propeller shaft rotation
- L = Left-hand rotation
- R = Right-hand rotation
- 8th thru 10th space: Drive Gear Ratio or Reduction
- Examples – 200 = 2.0:1, 150 = 1.5:1, 245 = 2.45:1
For models after 2006, the model number usually contains 8 digits. An example would be 02-600V-01. These digits represent the following:
- 1st thru 2nd spaces: Manufacturer code
- 3rd thru 5th spaces: Engine code
- 810 = GM 8.1L (496 CID, Multi-Port Fuel Injection)
- 811 = GM 8.1L (496 CID High Output, Multi-Port Fuel Injection)
- 600 = GM 6.0L (364 CID, Multi-Port Fuel Injection, LQ4 Block)
- 601 = GM 6.0L (364 CID, Multi-Port Fuel Injection, LY6 Block)
- 602 = GM 6.0L (364 CID, Multi-Port Fuel Injection, L96 Block)
- 570 = GM 5.7L (350 CID, Left-hand Rotation, Multi-Port Fuel Injection)
- 571 = GM 5.7L (350 CID, Right-hand Rotation, Multi-Port Fuel Injection)
- 572 = GM 5.7L (350 CID, Left-hand Rotation, Carbureted)
- 573 = GM 5.7L (350 CID, Right-hand Rotation, Carbureted)
- 500 = GM 5.0L (305 CID, Left-hand Rotation, Multi-Port Fuel Injection)
- 501 = GM 5.0L (305 CID, Right-hand Rotation, Multi-Port Fuel Injection)
- 502 = GM 5.0L (305 CID, Left-hand Rotation, Carbureted)
- 503 = GM 5.0L (305 CID, Right-hand Rotation, Carbureted)
- 6th space: Drive Configuration
- Blank = Direct Drive
- V = V-Drive
- 7th thru 8th spaces: Specification Code
350 or 454? Which is it?
One of the more confusing aspects of identifying a Crusader engine is the model designation they used on older model engines. Up until 1987, they would call their big block 454 CID engines a “Model 350”. At the same time, their small block 350 CID engines were referred to as a “Model 270”. This has led to much confusion over the years trying to identify correct parts for these engines. When you are dealing with an older pre-XL series Crusader engine, pay attention not only to the model number, but also the displacement! If you are speaking with a technician or parts supplier, you may find it easier to refer to the engine size of 5.7 liter or 7.4 liter in order to avoid confusion, but you will still need the model number to correctly identify parts for the engine.
Right-Hand or Left-Hand?
Some repair parts for Crusader engines vary depending on the engine rotation, and it can be a source of much confusion. In essence, engine rotation is referring to the direction that the flywheel rotates when engaged. Many people make the mistake of viewing the rotation from the wrong angle, and so they misidentify the direction. They also mistakenly think that rotation refers to the propeller rather than the flywheel, and in many cases these two components are rotating in opposite directions. Engine rotation should always be viewed from the flywheel end of the engine. A flywheel that rotates in a counter-clockwise direction is left-hand, or standard, rotation. A flywheel that rotates in a clockwise direction is right-hand, or opposite, rotation.
What About the Cooling System?
Crusader has offered many options for its engine packages over the years. One significant option available has been regarding the design of the engine cooling system. Some engine packages, like the Classic series, have offered raw water cooling (abbreviated as RWC) as the standard cooling system, but others, like the Captain’s Choice, offered fresh water cooling (abbreviated as FWC) as standard. On top of that, fresh water cooling has still been an upgrade available if a customer chose to have it. So, knowing your type of cooling system is helpful, especially if you are needing to replace parts related to that system.
We know that identifying your Crusader marine engine isn’t always easy! The good news is that you don’t have to feel like you are on your own. The technicians at Marine Parts Source are some of the most knowledgeable in the country when it comes to Crusader engines. Feel free to give us a call at (866)388-0390 for help identifying and troubleshooting your Crusader engine.
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