1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

[Scooty Puff Jr.]

Hey guys, another new member with quite a few questions. First off I have inherited a 1979 Galxy 1000BR I/O after my grandfather passed. Well long story short my grandfather sold the boat before he passed to an old fishing buddy. The boat sat for 8 years after being winterized and now the friend has given it to me. Now I have gone thru the motor, externally and even cranked it(by hand turning the crank), but I am almost afraid to actually try and start the thing. God only knows what years of sitting have done internally to the engine, and the outside has very little surface rust on the engine. The points on the distributor cap are pretty ugly and the spark plugs need replaced, but any other concerns I should be having with this? The last time the boat was actually in the water was 1999, when it died on my grandfather and I. Now he had always had issues with the distributor cap and stator, but other than that he had never complained(to me) about any other issues. Finding information on the web is difficult for a 30 year old boat, and my local dealers are more interested in taking a couple thousand dollars from me. The rest of the boat is still in tact and if possible I'd like to keep the 3.7 in it, as I have never worked on any I/O boats. I have the space and the time to do this myself in my own garage but I am unsure where to start. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

I know it has sentimental value.
for that I am sorry for your loss, loss I understand very well.
my advice, donate the boat to a charity, take the tax money and go find a running boat that will do what you need.
all will be happier in the end.

 

[watermellonI]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

I would have to agree with Rod

The time and effort you re gonna have to invest in that engine is going to over ride any sentiment and consume a great deal of your finances just to have a motor that unfortunatly, like your grandfather your gonna end up complainin about.

The guys here will help you with it but in everything you do you need a good base to start, I don t think that motor is a good base.

If you re mechanically inclined you might explore the idea of repowering the boat with a more up to date engine and drive, but this is also gonna take time and money, but you could keep the boat itself.

Welcome Aboard, (don t mean to be a downer)

 

[Scooty Puff Jr.]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

I would have to agree with Rod

The time and effort you re gonna have to invest in that engine is going to over ride any sentiment and consume a great deal of your finances just to have a motor that unfortunatly, like your grandfather your gonna end up complainin about.

The guys here will help you with it but in everything you do you need a good base to start, I don t think that motor is a good base.

If you re mechanically inclined you might explore the idea of repowering the boat with a more up to date engine and drive, but this is also gonna take time and money, but you could keep the boat itself.

Welcome Aboard, (don t mean to be a downer)

No it's good to hear things such as this. I have had the same inclinations myself, but haven't confirmed them. I haven't yet decided what to do, I have just tonight started researching other possible motors to swap in. However, my mechanical knowledge of I/O boats is extremely limited. I have swapped motors in cars, turbocharged non-turbo cars, played with all kinds of bikes and jet ski's but this is my first venture into boats. I'd like to hold out some hope for the boat itself, but I am still trying to be real with myself

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

I'd like to hold out some hope for the boat itself, but I am still trying to be real with myself

Ayuh,...... I Totally Agree with the others,....
But,...
If you really want to waste some Time,+ Money on it,....
Click on my name,+ send me a PM,...

Btw,...... Welcome Aboard.........

 

[Don S]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

Not sure you want to try and email a 1.36GB file.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

Not sure you want to try and email a 1.36GB file.

Ayuh,.....

I didn't realize it's That Big,....

 

[bomar76]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

"Just remember the Scooty Puff Jr. sucks!"

You should upgrade to a Scooty Puff Sr

 

[Scooty Puff Jr.]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

Ayuh,...... I Totally Agree with the others,....
But,...
If you really want to waste some Time,+ Money on it,....
Click on my name,+ send me a PM,...

Btw,...... Welcome Aboard.........

Hmm...at this point I'd be interested in reading what ya got...PM pending

 

[Scooty Puff Jr.]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

"Just remember the Scooty Puff Jr. sucks!"

You should upgrade to a Scooty Puff Sr

ROFL!!!! Definitely, Futurama FTW

 

[Scooty Puff Jr.]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

Hey guys, to bring back a thread I already started(not sure if this forum frowns on that like car forums), but I need some info.

First off does anyone know what OEM Merc manual I need for this particular model, I thought it was #8 but I'm not sure. Also, I am having a hard time reading the serial #'s on the engine itself, would anyone know the exact numbers for me to compare them to?
Also while I am at it, I need to locate 2 things for this motor. First a distributor cap, this is the only place I could find a part number for this and this is what it shows: 470 4 Delco 9459t
Anyone know where I can actually purchase one? Everywhere I look, and no one has one for sale.

I am also looking for a coil pack, but have found no info on these either. Thanks guys.

 

[Don S]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

You need manual #3

Your local Mercruiser dealer can get you the proper parts.

 

[ncs2929]

Re: 1979 Mercruiser 3.7 I4

Well my 2 cents worth. I have an 83 470 and love it. Go to Breezeworks or Mercruiser 470 Forum. All the help u need


1983 Stingray 195SVC 470 Mercruiser