Quicksilver – Dry Joint Exhaust Manifold | MerCruiser V6 Series | Coated Cast Iron | 864612T01

Overview

There’s a special kind of confidence that comes from hearing your MerCruiser V6 settle into a smooth, even idle. It’s the sound of everything working together — exhaust, cooling, fuel, timing — all balanced and steady. When a manifold ages, you can feel that balance start to slip. A new, properly fitted exhaust manifold brings it right back. This Mercury Marine part has that reassuring weight and finish that instantly tells you it’s built for real days on the water. It’s the kind of part you install once and trust for seasons to come.

Key Features

• Dry joint exhaust manifold for select MerCruiser V6 engines
• Fits port or starboard side
• Cast iron construction for durability
• Coated interior and exterior for corrosion protection
• Includes gasket for clean, secure sealing
• Mercury Marine part number 864612T01

Engine & Boat Compatibility

• Fits MerCruiser V6 sterndrive and inboard engines made by General Motors
• Designed for engines using dry joint exhaust systems (serial number 0M615000 and newer; model year 2002 and up)
• Ideal for runabouts, family cruisers, bowriders, fishing boats, and classic fiberglass sport boats
• Suitable for freshwater and coastal boating

Performance & Practical Benefits

You’ll feel the difference a good manifold makes the very next time you start the engine. The idle becomes steadier, the exhaust note softens, and the engine seems to breathe easier. Dry joint manifolds are designed to keep water and exhaust separated more reliably, and this OEM replacement restores that tight, dependable barrier inside your cooling system.

The cast iron body has a solid, confident heft, and the coating feels smooth and sealed — a layer of insurance against rust and internal scaling. That coating matters because manifolds live in one of the harshest environments on the boat: heat, moisture, vibration, and constant temperature cycling. This one is built to endure all of it.

Installation is straightforward thanks to clean casting tolerances and bolt alignment that actually lines up the first time. The included gasket seats properly, helping you avoid the leaks and creeping moisture issues that often come from aftermarket parts. Once installed, the manifold holds temperature evenly and improves exhaust flow, which helps the engine respond with a tighter, smoother feel throughout the RPM range.

For boaters who depend on their V6 for long days of cruising, tubing, or fishing, this part restores the reliability you want under the hatch.

Why Buy OEM

Exhaust components aren’t a place to cut corners. Aftermarket manifolds often miss the fine details — water passage sizing, flange thickness, coating depth — that protect the engine from overheating or water intrusion. A genuine Mercury Marine part gives you accurate casting, reliable cooling flow, and the peace of mind that comes from matching what the engine was engineered to run.

In real-world boating, OEM is simply the smarter investment. It lasts longer, fits better, and keeps your engine safer.

FAQ

Q1: Which engines does this manifold fit?

It fits select MerCruiser V6 engines equipped with dry joint exhaust systems.

Q2: What makes this different from aftermarket manifolds?

Better casting accuracy, stronger coatings, cleaner fitment, and OEM-grade gasket sealing.

Q3: How do I confirm it’s the correct replacement?

Check your serial number. If your engine uses a dry joint V6 manifold and requires part 864612T01, this is the match.

Q4: Can it be used in both saltwater and freshwater?

Yes — the coating is engineered to protect in either environment.

Q5: Is installation straightforward?

Yes. OEM fitment makes the job clean and predictable with common tools.