3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

[sailsmanship]

I have a friend that is looking to buy a 1986 18' Wellcraft with a 3.7L 170hp 4 cylinder and an Alpha One outdrive. He would like to know if there was any specific issues that this motor had or is it dependable. The current owner said that this motor has a Aluminum block with a Ford Cast Iron head, and that makes him nervous. Any insight?

 

[YeboGogo]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

Search for mercruiser 470. You will find some info.

Basically theres an undersized cooler, a charging system issue and a few carb hiccups but nothing serious

Mine runs like a tank. All the known risks have been removed with the installation of the larger cooler, an alternator and a fresh carb rebuild.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

I can tell you that the guys in this forum generally say to stay away from that engine. I'm not exactly sure why it gets a bad wrap, but it's supposedly a troblesome engine in some way. I have a boat with that engine in it, but I parked it not long after I got it because the transom is trashed. The engine however served me just fine for the short time I used it after a bit of standard maintenance. I feel that if it's well taken care of and has been serviced regularly, it'll be a good engine. I mean, if it's running now, it's lasted for 25 years so it can't be that bad.

 

[45Auto]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

I mean, if it's running now, it's lasted for 25 years so it can't be that bad.

You can also find running 25 year old Yugo's if you look hard enough. Doesn't mean that I would advise a new driver looking for a car to buy one, though ......

This link has some good info about the 470. Pay attention to the "Other Issues" at the bottom of the page.

http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470coolantleakrepair.html

Biggest drawback to them in my opinion is the "open deck" block design. Causes them to blow head gaskets easier than a traditional block design. Around here (southern Louisiana) it's pretty easy to clog a water intake with mud (or oil now, I guess!) for a few seconds.

 

[bomar76]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

The fact that Merc abandoned that disaster should tell you something.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

You can also find running 25 year old Yugo's if you look hard enough. Doesn't mean that I would advise a new driver looking for a car to buy one, though ......

Me either, but I don't think it should be the sole reason to run away, IF the owner hasn't had issues with it and has maintained it well. And of course a test drive would be in order. It's certainly not high on my list though. I'm the second owner of mine after my uncle and neither of us has had a major problem. But that's just my story. I don't want to steer you wrong, it's had it's share of problems.

P.S. Yugos Rock

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

The fact that Merc abandoned that disaster should tell you something.

Merc didn't abandon it. It was replaced by the GM V6's. If Merc would have known in 71-72 that GM was planning on building V6's ( GM didn't even know at that time, they hadn't even bought the Buick V6 back from AMC yet), Merc never would have made it. Good engine with some minor (though expensive) quirks.

 

[bomar76]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

If the 470 would have been a decent powerplant Merc would have happily continued to build them in house.
They were saved by the V6.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

I have had a couple of them and would buy a couple more.Like anything else they last as long as you maintain them.J

 

[45Auto]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

P.S. Yugos Rock

If you could somehow arrange to rear-end a Pinto while towing your 470 with your Yugo, I bet a pic of that would almost be guaranteed to get you top billing for a couple of weeks on "Stupid Human Tricks"!

 

[180shabah]

Re: 3.7L 170hp Mercruiser Reliability

P.S. Yugos Rock

Bad choice of yugo's if you were trying to make a point - the whole damn thing has been replaced by parts that were stronger, more dependable and better engineered.