Merc 470 question

[mrdjflores]

looking at a 78 bayliner donor boat with the 4cyl merc 470 setup...i know the merc 470's are not very desirable, but was wondering if the outdrive is compatible with other powerplants, 4cyl or 8 cyl ??

i can buy this whole boat and trailer for 250...figured the trailer maybe worth the hour drive to get it

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Merc 470 question

Hmmmm.... Are you sure that it is a 470, (3.7 l)? I am no expert, but unless it has been repowered it would not have a 470 in a boat that old. I may be wrong but I think the 3.7 l Mercruiser was only produced in the late 80's. I have one in an 87, and they can be trouble. I think most of the knowledgeable folks here would suggest that you avoid it. The outdrive would have to be thoroughly checked out, they can get expensive real fast.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Merc 470 question

not really interested in the motor (i'm using a sbf v8) but have been looking for donor boat for controls and stuff to repower my OMC stringer boat

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Merc 470 question

might have been an 87....my typing fingers don't always press the keys that my mind tells them to

 

[CAPTKEV85]

Re: Merc 470 question

mercruiser 470 was first built from1976-79 the original with the exhaust manifold thermostat in the front. 1980-89 was the new style with the thermostat in the riser

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Merc 470 question

Are you trying to get the outdrive from the Bayliner for your boat? The Merc set up is really different than your stringer set up. You would need transom work and other things to make it fit. V8's usually have different gear ratios than 4 cylinders use also.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Merc 470 question

You might want to take a look at this:http://www.sterndrives.com/omc_to_mercruiser.html to get a feel for what is involved. Looks like lots of work. one other thing that I found. you might take a look at post #15 on the "SEI SternDrive... What's your take??? " thread on this forum. Seems that SEI might be able to solve your problem.

 

[mrdjflores]

Re: Merc 470 question

I don't mind the transom work...already have most of the pieces cut, including some tubing that adds extra bracing from the transom to the stringers. Just having some trouble finding a good donor boat. Been told to look for a merc888. I plan on buying a rebuilt upper and lower merc unit, but not too familair with the "model" of stern drive i need

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Merc 470 question

You might want to take a look at this:http://www.sterndrives.com/omc_to_mercruiser.html to get a feel for what is involved. Looks like lots of work. one other thing that I found. you might take a look at post #15 on the "SEI SternDrive... What's your take??? " thread on this forum. Seems that SEI might be able to solve your problem.

In that thread they are talking about a cobra drive not the stringer which is what he has.

I have read different threads on this type of swap and it seems like it might be easier to find a boat that has a blown engine like yours. It would be less of a hassle to stick your engine in that one vs doing all that transom and motor support work. It has been done but it seems like a big hassle.