buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

[sparky71]

Hello again,
I sold my Baja,for a profit I might add thanks to those here for help in making it seaworthy,it was just too small for what I like to do.

I,m looking at an 85 sea ray seville 23' looks like a decent boat for the money and is the perfect size for me.My issue is it's listed as the 170HP merc.(I'm going to look at it today)from my reading I see that this is most likely the dreaded "470" motor.The seller lists some things wromg with the boat,lower shift cable rips in canvas but says motor and drive are in good shape.

I know there are alot of issues with this motor.My question is can anyone give me ana idea of what the cost/possible hang ups of converting to a small block chevy eng. I have one that came out of a 1 ton van with really low miles on it.
If I do buy this boat I plan on keeping it for a while so any and all adviceon the motor swap or about this style and vintage boat will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks to all here at i/boats...
Dan

 

[Don S]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

I know there are alot of issues with this motor.My question is can anyone give me ana idea of what the cost/possible hang ups of converting to a small block chevy eng.

Remove everything from the front engine mount to the prop nut. Install V8 system.

Basically everything is different except the transom cutout. Even the gimbal housing has a different bolt pattern for the exhaust tube that will not accept the exhaust Y used on V8's, then you need a different gear ratio in the drive for a V8 compared to the 4 cyl. Then you have the stringers to deal with. A V8 has side engine mounts and the 170 has a front mount like a 3.0L engine does.

 

[sparky71]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Thanks for the quick reply,

yeah I figured it would be alot.I'm still going to look at it but the rest of the boat will have to be absolutely perfect for me to take on this project.
Are there any ,more reliable motor/drive combos that will bolt up with this setup without having to change everything?

 

[Bondo]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Are there any ,more reliable motor/drive combos that will bolt up with this setup without having to change everything?

Ayuh,....

Possibly an In-line GM 6cyl......

Still Alota work for little or No Gain..... Other than Parts Availability.....
And,... A step Back in vintage....

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

That motor /drive is not that bad!!!! If you take care of it it will last a long time.
Sure the stator charging system sucks and the cam/water pump seal wasn't the best idea but that outfit will last as long as you take care of it.
Jerry

 

[sparky71]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Thanks for the info,I did a little more reading and find that 470 info on here isn't ALL bad,just most of it lol.I think I will check it over and not let the mere fact it has this motor cloud my judgement.By selling my old boat I've already resigned myself as done with boating for this year, so if I hav aproject for the fall/winter then so be it.
Also this is a 1985 sea ray seville 23' cuddy cabin anbody know this hull and are there any "notoriously" bad things I should be looking for other than the 470 of course lol.
Again I love this site,you guys have been a lot of help
THANKS, Dan

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

This is my second year with the Mercruiser 470. I learned alot about the system from this site and others. What I have found is that when you get the engine dialed in, it is a great engine. I do not use alot of gas. If you like the boat, then the 470 would be a plus.

 

[Maclin]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

My observation: That sounds like a big boat for only 170hp, does not matter what powerplant. I know there is a 190hp version of that engine as well, but still under the minimum in my estimation.

 

[sparky71]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Maclin I thought the same thing.I'm on my way out to look at it.For all I know the seller doesn't know his a** from his elbow but I will find out.Thanks I will post in a few hours.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Good luck

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Let us know how it went.

 

[vtboatr]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

This is my second year with the Mercruiser 470. I learned alot about the system from this site and others. What I have found is that when you get the engine dialed in, it is a great engine. I do not use alot of gas. If you like the boat, then the 470 would be a plus.

My 1st year with one (81 Sea Ray 190) and your right, lots to learn, at least on mine the P/O had done most of the upgrades and so far I'm pretty happy with it.

My observation: That sounds like a big boat for only 170hp, does not matter what powerplant. I know there is a 190hp version of that engine as well, but still under the minimum in my estimation.

I'd like to find the parts to do the 190hp set up, what years/parts were involved?
Was it just a carb/manifold change or did they change the cam too?


Looking forward to the report sparky...

 

[sparky71]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Sorry not that much to report the boat was a little rough and seller was firm on price.I also didn't like the deck layout.
I also looked at a 21.5' chris craft scorpion w/a cuddy.The price is right,needs to be cleaned but everything is solid.this boat is much more to my liking,as I do mostly fishing.
This boat has 150hp I(inline 4 I think,it was getting dark)closed cooling,could anybody tell me is that the 3.0?and any good/bad with this setup? if I need to start a new thread let me know.

 

[Todd Peterson]

Re: buying a sea ray w/ a 470 merc

Go with your gut feeling. I bought a boat from a friend last year for $2,500.00. It is a 1984 Baretta, 22 foot long with a cutty and a 470 mercruiser. I spent $500.00 for a cover and just picked up the boat from the local marina and paided them $2,700.00 for engine repairs after an overheat last fall (they %$#@ed me).

Now my boat is with no seats, carpet or stringers and beams and I do not know what the heck I am doing. I just want to save the $1,200.00 to replace the simple beam between the two stringers. They got us.