So i found another craigs list deal and i decided to take a look at this particular vessel tomorrow evening.
Its a 1979 Baja, I believe it is a 180 SS model.
It is fairly cheap and I dont know much about. Price is around $500. Boat trailer and engine. It has a Merc 470 (170hp version) with what looks like a pre alpha outdrive. Ive done about 30 min of research on the 470 and have decided that it is not my first choice in small I/O engines. However the previous owner has mentioned that it "ran well when parked". However there is a starter issue with it right now and the starter doesn't turn over at all. He thinks its a solenoid.
What I know about the Merc 470:
- it is fresh water cooled and came with 3" and 4" heat exchangers. The 4" is a must according to some
- doesn't have a traditional alternator, it uses a stator mounted behind the harmonic balencer or crank pulley?
- Doesn't have any drive belts unless it has power steering (this one appears to not have power steering)
- water pump is internal and driven off of cam shaft (seems like a bad design) has cam shaft oil seal issues?
- Has an aluminum block and a ford 460 head non aluminum.
Im willing to take a good look at it and get it running again. Bad idea?
What I plan on checking:
- pull plugs and just take a look. It should be clear if it was run last year as stated or if it has been sitting for 10 years.
- check oil for water or milk etc.
- Id like to check that it ISNT seized. Will I be able to turn this over with a breaker bar? I would have to assume there is a bolt on the crank pulley/balancer right?
- Id like to check the drive condition at least a little more then visually without pulling the drive. I plan on pulling the drive if I purchase it but i mean to perform a check to get somewhat an idea of condition.
For the boat I plan on checking everything fairly well. Transom stringers floor etc. The trailer i will also check over. Im more concerned with the 470 since I dont know as much about it.
So is there anything else engine/drive wise that I could check that any of your could think of?
This all being said I do want to mention that my other boat has a gm 350 crate with alpha one drive on it and I am very familiar with both. Ive been through the entire upper gear housing on the alpha last year to re seal it etc etc. I just dont know how to check much of anything without taking things apart.
Would you think about this deal for ~$500? Comes with a supposed good trailer too which i think would be worth the $500.
Here are a few pics
Its a 1979 Baja, I believe it is a 180 SS model.
It is fairly cheap and I dont know much about. Price is around $500. Boat trailer and engine. It has a Merc 470 (170hp version) with what looks like a pre alpha outdrive. Ive done about 30 min of research on the 470 and have decided that it is not my first choice in small I/O engines. However the previous owner has mentioned that it "ran well when parked". However there is a starter issue with it right now and the starter doesn't turn over at all. He thinks its a solenoid.
What I know about the Merc 470:
- it is fresh water cooled and came with 3" and 4" heat exchangers. The 4" is a must according to some
- doesn't have a traditional alternator, it uses a stator mounted behind the harmonic balencer or crank pulley?
- Doesn't have any drive belts unless it has power steering (this one appears to not have power steering)
- water pump is internal and driven off of cam shaft (seems like a bad design) has cam shaft oil seal issues?
- Has an aluminum block and a ford 460 head non aluminum.
Im willing to take a good look at it and get it running again. Bad idea?
What I plan on checking:
- pull plugs and just take a look. It should be clear if it was run last year as stated or if it has been sitting for 10 years.
- check oil for water or milk etc.
- Id like to check that it ISNT seized. Will I be able to turn this over with a breaker bar? I would have to assume there is a bolt on the crank pulley/balancer right?
- Id like to check the drive condition at least a little more then visually without pulling the drive. I plan on pulling the drive if I purchase it but i mean to perform a check to get somewhat an idea of condition.
For the boat I plan on checking everything fairly well. Transom stringers floor etc. The trailer i will also check over. Im more concerned with the 470 since I dont know as much about it.
So is there anything else engine/drive wise that I could check that any of your could think of?
This all being said I do want to mention that my other boat has a gm 350 crate with alpha one drive on it and I am very familiar with both. Ive been through the entire upper gear housing on the alpha last year to re seal it etc etc. I just dont know how to check much of anything without taking things apart.
Would you think about this deal for ~$500? Comes with a supposed good trailer too which i think would be worth the $500.
Here are a few pics
. Put a starter in it (about$100) and see if you can get it to run. Do a compression check and if OK toss in a new impeller, Run it and have some fun. If not part it out, the four barrel carb and manifold should be worth as much as you paid.
