Is the 4.5 Merc scaring dealers off?

[harringtondav]

I've been upping my research into my possible next boat. Small sample, but checking inventory in MN and IA at three different dealers all I see is VP Sterndrives on their stock boats. Each brand offers the Merc 4.5 in my size.

Any thoughts about the dealer's preference for VP? If I buy an I/O it will have an Alpha since I know it inside and out. Else I'll live with my old boat or go for an O/B. ....still crying in my beer about Merc not having the 4.3, but I'd guess VP conjured up their own alternative.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the VP engine is the current LT variant from GM

https://gmpowertrain.com/product-overview.html

Merc is building blocks and stuffing them with some GM gen 1 parts and some home brewed parts for the 4.3 and the 6.2

the Gen 1 4.3 went away a few years ago, lasting nearly a decade after being available in a truck. since GM changed to the LT variant, most everyone else using the motor did too. Mercruiser simply chose to make their own engines. they still assemble the 502's from the GMPP parts bin.

 

[GA_Boater]

Are the three dealers you looked at both Authorized MC and V-P dealers? Tech training and parts stocking is expensive and the dealers may have chosen V-P over Merc. Boat brands may offer both powertrains, but it's up to the dealers to choose which one(s) they will service.

If you order a boat you can choose either, but may have to find another shop for service.

 

[Bt Doctur]

I`d worrow if it dosent have a carb and points

 

[harringtondav]

I`d worrow if it dosent have a carb and points

Worry BT. New 2020 boat, if I can justify it. My current boat is a carb TB 4. Well w/in my abilities. If I bite on the new 4.5 I'll be back asking about the diagnostic tool to have a chance with that engine.

 

[harringtondav]

Are the three dealers you looked at both Authorized MC and V-P dealers? Tech training and parts stocking is expensive and the dealers may have chosen V-P over Merc. Boat brands may offer both powertrains, but it's up to the dealers to choose which one(s) they will service.

If you order a boat you can choose either, but may have to find another shop for service.

I've expanded my search and now see many Merc 4.5s in stock. ..guessing what you said about dealer preference for efficiency is accurate. The VP dealers said they would order a Merc from the factory. One of four possible dealers is 6 miles upriver, plus another authorized Merc dealer/service center 15 minutes upriver. Both 20 min on a trailer. The rest are 90 - 120 miles away. With two authorized Merc dealers close, I can get warranty service.....maybe at the end of the waiting list.

 

[harringtondav]

....just a related add. I'm looking for a bare bones boat w/o a lot of glitz and gizmos so I can afford to upgrade the 4.5 to full fresh water (closed cooling) including exhaust manifolds. Every boat I've seen looks nearly impossible to access the engine. So I want to simplify winterization.

Which brings up a couple questions:
With the above CC, I'm assuming I'll just have to be sure the raw water and PS cooler hose is drained, and nothing else (?).
I poke river sand from the block drains every year. Does the above CC system come with a seawater strainer, or will I have to add one?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would be looking at the new VP quick-drain system on their fresh water cooled boats which appears to be less complicated than the hypercomplexification that the Merc engineers suffer from.

the HX has clean-out covers on the ends to remove stuff.

there is no factory installed seawater strainer for either Merc or VP. the closest thing that is a strainer is the PS cooler (0.248" OD tubes with about a 0.190" ID) which is smaller than any seawater strainer. the PS cooler may still be cooled on the raw water side of the system. (I would have to look closely)

BTW, the PS cooler makes a really efficient strainer...... difficult to clean, however it is efficient at keeping chunks from getting to the engine:facepalm:

 

[harringtondav]

..........there is no factory installed seawater strainer for either Merc or VP. the closest thing that is a strainer is the PS cooler (0.248" OD tubes with about a 0.190" ID) which is smaller than any seawater strainer. the PS cooler may still be cooled on the raw water side of the system. (I would have to look closely)

BTW, the PS cooler makes a really efficient strainer...... difficult to clean, however it is efficient at keeping chunks from getting to the engine:facepalm:

Thanks SD. My concern is clogging the HX. I'm 100% 'fresh' Miss River water, but I know sand gets sucked into the raw side. Are the HX tubes, plus the PS cooler's coarse screen safe from sand?

PS edit. I'll go with a more expensive O/B boat before a VP sterndrive. I've got respect for VP, but I've got too much invested in Alpha II tools and knowledge to start over. I can't recall one needed repair on my 4.3 in 24 yrs. But the O/D has been a different story. Mississippi boating is treacherous. I refuse to be bent over for a lower unit repair.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You know what they say about the Mississippi.... Too thick to drink, too thin to plow.

Sand can be flushed, chunks and rocks need to be mechanically removed