1988 Mercruiser 165Hp

[Ed Harris]

Were these good motors or were they trash? I know the 140's are good but do not know anything about the 165's

 

[Bt Doctur]

is it the inline 6 or the FWC inline 4 aluminum block

 

[Ed Harris]

Inline 4

 

[Scott Danforth]

The 470 is not mercruisers finest hour. If your thinking of buying a boat with this motor.....pass on it.

If you already bought it, do some research

 

[Ed Harris]

Thanks Scott.. I have not bought it was just looking at it today...thanks for the replies. Was looking to possibly buy it and sell the motor, outdrive, and trailer.

 

[achris]

The '470' has issues. Most of those issues can be sorted, and those problems are no longer a problem. The main one is the 'open deck' design of the block. Bad idea, and there's nothing you can do about it. The main precaution is to never let the cooling system 'go'. If the engine overheated, it'll blow the head gasket, every time.

Generally, people pass these by, but as an engine, they are reliable and have great power and fuel economy, given the above precautions.

Chris.....

 

[Ed Harris]

10...4 Chris..I may see if he will let me do a compression check on it and if so also let me run it on a portable tank. If possible take to the launch and run the outdrive.

 

[achris]

Do your research and know what you are getting into with these engines. If the main problems have already been taken care of, you're in a better position.

Does it have an external alternator, or still with the original crank mounted stator and water cooled regulator?

Does it have a 3" or 4" heat exchanger?

When was the driver impeller last replaced?

Had the camshaft end had a speedie-sleeve installed?

Proceed with extreme caution.

Chris

 

[stonyloam]

So, you are just going to part it out? If the 470 runs you should be able to sell it, if not and it is in good shape it should have an aluminum manifold and aluminum front covers, if a 4 barrel the intake is worth some money, and if you part it out you should be able to sell parts, since they are no longer made, check eBay for prices. The outdrive is the same ratio as the 4.3 outdrives, if good shape should sell.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The '470' has issues. Most of those issues can be sorted, and those problems are no longer a problem. The main one is the 'open deck' design of the block. Bad idea, and there's nothing you can do about it. The main precaution is to never let the cooling system 'go'. If the engine overheated, it'll blow the head gasket, every time.

Generally, people pass these by, but as an engine, they are reliable and have great power and fuel economy, given the above precautions.

Chris.....

actually, you can laser cut a bore "girdle" and have it tack welded in place to stabilize the bores.... then change the head to an aluminum head (edelbrock ford FE head).... its done all the time in A/F 4-banger classes for guys wanting to run various classes at various sanctioned events such as Bonneville.

however you are correct, if a fish farts next to the water intake or a leaf hits the strainer raising the temp more than 10 degrees, the 470 will spit the head gasket out.

the idiot that designed the motor with an iron head on an aluminum block with floating bores did not do his research.

the 4" heat exchanger is needed to give the motor more "headroom" prior to overheating

 

[Ed Harris]

Thanks for all the info but I passed on purchasing the boat. The boat itself was in pretty rough shape and so were all the cars piled up in the yard. Seeing all of this led me to believe I would have been buying problems.