Merc 470 won't turn over after sitting

[Ward]

I'm about to buy an 83 Galaxy 19' Cuddy Cabin, with a seized merc 470 in it. The boat has been sitting for several years, and the interior needs replacing. The engine looks to be in good exterior shape, and has many new parts. The guy says it was seized when he bought it, but he was able to free it by pouring a little diesel fuel down the cylinders. It would seem that the rings had rusted to the walls a bit. He said it was running after that, and then it sat for another year, now it's seized again. I have several years of experience working on car engines, but only minimal on marine engines. How hard is this to fix? Also, I read on another website that it's fairly easy to swap in a newer mercruiser 3.0L, and sometimes cheaper than replacing the 3.7. Any tips/advice appreciated.

 

[ntheyer]

Re: Merc 470 won't turn over after sitting

As far as I understand, swapping a 4.3 V-6 is closer than going to 3.0 4cyl. I am by no means the expert though. As far as seizing... someone else will give you more advice than me. Good luck.

 

[Ward]

Re: Merc 470 won't turn over after sitting

Yeah, I had read about the 4.3 swap. the 4.3L is an iron block though, ontop of being larger. I'm not sure how the weight gain would affect a 19 footer.

 

[tommays]

Re: Merc 470 won't turn over after sitting

IMHP if you take what your paying and ADD what it will cost to get it running<br /><br />Then more than likely you can find a boat that is running<br /><br />If everything is that far gone i would be very worried about all the wood you cant see <br /><br />tommays

 

[catpro1970]

Re: Merc 470 won't turn over after sitting

i recently purchased a boat that was siezed after two weeks of soakin the cilenders mine turned over and with a tune up it starts on the second revolution and purrs like a kitten. and thats with no choke cause my eletric choke modulor needs replaced. sometimes they just get dirty and need lubed up. ive been workin on cars for almost 25yrs and as long as the don't brake a ring and you get rid of the diesel fuel after it turns over a few times give them a good shot of oil so it can get them walls wet should be ok. good luck