Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

[jpv]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

You guys are very kind to hang in there with me ....I love tinkering but just dont have what it takes to get to the next level....cam seals, regulators, etc. I downloaded the engine manual and will try to absorbe it like a sponge.
I might be asking the same question twice but here I go again.....If I use the stator and regulator set up and one or both fail...will that lead to other areas of damage or just a dead battery? As some have already said...use this set up until it fails and then switch to the alternator set up. I am good with that as long as nothing else gets wiped out in the process.

Secondly, and this shows my mechanically challenged brain......I can see the stator and how an alternator might just bolt into that area once it is removed....but I do not see the other set of pullies that the alternator belt will go around....and they are not sold in the alternator kit. Was it standard to not have those pullies on the engine because they obviously were not needed......I want to make sure that the previous owner who rebuilt the engine and replaced the block ( could be from a car engine...I have no idea ) hasnt left me without an expensive piece of the puzzle. I would love to post a close up pic of the engine...how do you post a pic???

Thanks again,
Jim

 

[jpv]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

Stonyloam........I read back through the replies and you did answer the stator and regulator question pretty clearly..... I am just making sure I understand you correctly.......when the regulator fails.....or the stator fails.....no big deal....nothing else gets dragged down with it....and then just replace with alternator kit.
Believe it or not.....around the 5th time it is explaned...I have a pretty solid chance of understanding it.

Thanks

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

My 470's (same as your 170) charging system has been running strong and trouble free since 1984. If it's not giving you any trouble just leave it be. If it fails, it won't do any serious damage to anything else. Usually the magnets just come off inside the stator assembly.

When and if you do convert to an alternator, they come with different mounting brackets (high or low) to accommodate your engines layout and available room in the engine compartment. It will require that you mount a pulley where you remove the stator etc. Unless you have power steering, you wouldn't have any pulleys, and that's standard.

To post a picture, scroll down below where you type your post and use the "manage attachments" function in the "attache files" box. They have to small...there are instructions there.

EDIT: Check this link and pics out...might help.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Prem...2033034QQptZBoatQ5fPartsQ5fAccessoriesQ5fGear

 

[jpv]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

ahhhhhhhhh Im getting closer........looks like i need two pullies! I see....the lower pully goes where the stator is and the alternator will mount up high...I see the option for high low mount...depending on space....
Now I am going for the whole ball of wax...Im going to try to post a pic of my engine...here goes nothin!

No luck this time....gotta make my pics smaller

 

[jpv]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

Compressed the pic....now trying to attach.....fingers crossed...if all goes well there will be an engine magically appearing under this text....

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

Ah, another job well done...

Looks just like mine, but I don't have the stripper pole sticking up out of it... It looks clean, like someone took pretty good care of it. You may be off to the races after all.

As for the pulleys, you should have one on the alternator already, so you should only need one to mount on the rotor. The picture on eBay shows a 470 with power steering (the pulley center top), but you don't have it. I'm not sure if you need an idler pulley or not...I'll look into it.

Nice pic.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

We are making progress here! Take a look at this parts diagram: http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...=11&bdesc=CRANKSHAFT,+FLYWHEEL+AND+ALTERNATOR . #8 is the harmonic balancer and pulley (which you have), and #4 is the stator. ErieRon is right on with Breezeworks, and it looks like you do not have power steering, so you order the no PS kit (no wc regulator needed). I believe that the only difference is that the power steering kit has a longer belt to go around both the PS pump and alternator pulley. You do not have to remove the balancer to install the belt. You can find stators and regulators on e-bay, so if you make the conversion you might be able to get a few bucks for the old (good) parts.

As an aside I wouldn't worry too much about the cam seals on a 15 hour engine, mine went 15 years before needing replacement.

OK lets go over what we learned here: The alternator kit replaces everything you currently have, it will bolt right on your engine, you just have to decide high or low mount. Good luck!

 

[jpv]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

Wow....you guys sure are patient ........
Yes I have the only 470 with a stripper pole.......I can handle that kind of installation.....its just this stupid stator stuff that blows my mind. Your not going to believe this...but I still have questions. Am I to understand, that I dont have to remove the stator and regulator to perform the conversion? Just bolt on an alternator and a few accesories slap on a belt and start charging.....cmon...I know nothing is ever easy.....is the outside of the harmonic balancer a pully? I think I will compress another couple of pics and post them.....Im on a roll!!!!

 

[jpv]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

If I can post a pic....I can replace a stator.........Im a pic postin fool now!

 

[ErieRon]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

You're too funny. I appreciate your enthusiasm, and can relate to it. That's a good looking boat...I can see why you're attached to it.

You do have to remove and disable the current stator/alt, and the voltage regulator. The rotor will go back on and the pulley will bolt to the rotor.

I'll look for some more specific instructions tomorrow and forward them.

It's not really as complicated as it sounds.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

If you are going to change over to an alternator, I would suggest you pull the pulley, remove the stator, then put the pulley back on. That way, if a magnet does come loose, it can't hit the stator and cause more damage.
A standard vibration dampner puller and an installer works great for removing and installing the pulley. Usually they can be rented from some auto parts stores. The manual explains the process.
Also remove the regulator. Just to keep the wiring a bit neater.

You mentioned you downloaded the engine manual. How about the drive manual. There are things like raw water pumps, bellows, alignments, etc that is just as important as the alternator to keep working, and probably cost more to fix than the engine when they go bad.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

Don and Ron are pretty much spot on with their recommendations. As a matter of fact, that is exactly what I am going to do when mine fails. But, back to the original premise, if your system is currently working OK (as is mine), you don't necessarily have to do anything now. Take it out in the spring and get a few hours under your belt, and make your decisions when you have a little more experience. Besides it will give you something to worry about all winter.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

Also remove the regulator. Just to keep the wiring a bit neater.

There are things like raw water pumps, bellows, alignments, etc that is just as important as the alternator to keep working, ..........

As usual, Don states the facts (and just the facts, ma'am) !!

I also have a 470, in a 20' Wellcraft, to which I have made all the usual up-grades, plus a few. The OEM charging system will work quite satisfactorily until overheating is experienced, usually caused by a stuck flapper, blown head gasket or trashed raw water pump. It's the lack of cooling that destroys the regulator, rarely a magnet will be thrown from the pulley.
With that said, take Don's advise and keep things cool....the existing charging system will continue to work.
Should you decide to up-grade to an alternator, any of the aftermarket kits will work. Concerning pulleys, your existing damper already has the lower pulley, the alternator will come with it's pulley. The installation is straight forward, even the wiring. I chose to completely remove my regulator and replaced the exisiting hose with clear, nylon reinforced tubing so that I can monitor water flow (really handy when on muffs as you can see when the pump sucks the garden hose dry), also, when underway, you can detect a marginal raw water pump if overheating is detected.
Measure the clearance you have in the 'doghouse' and determine if you require a 'high' or 'low' alternator kit.
I suggest that you strive for as short a belt length as possible to reduce 'belt slap' at low speeds. (I re-mounted my alternator three times before I eliminated 'belt slap'. I am more than pleased with my conversion.
I believe you will find the 470 (3.7) to be dependable, economical and quite horsey for its size......providing you maintain it.
Best of luck.
Ed in 'ol Virginny

 

[jpv]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

What a crew! How can I buy a iboats hat and t-shirt? I cant wait until someone posts a question that I can assist with...I appreciate all of your help and I will support others when I can......

Eddie......could you forward me a pic of your engine in the ole' virginny? I might as well copy your set up so I dont have to go through the trial and error process.

Don,
you are right...I need to download the drive manual as well...the last one was easy Ron put it in his reply and I just had to hit one button...Im not lazy...just a little mechanically and computer challenged.

Where is the regulator located?

ok guys....I promise I will stay off the computer for the rest of the night. My girlfriend is starting to complain and thinks I am obsessed with this boat. She is pretty much right...but I am obsessed with all boats! Like Ron's boat for example....nice lines...she is beggin for some water.

My email address is EDIT: Sorry, no email addresses on the forums. Don S

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

The first few posts on this forum are stickies. That means they are always at the top. For a reason. Lots of information.
Click on either the Adults Only or the MUST HAVE tech info for DIYers, they are both the same inside.
Then do some looking clicking and reading. I think you will learn it's not that hard to do something yourself.

 

[EddiePetty]

Re: Merc I/O 4cyl 170HP advise

....................

Eddie......could you forward me a pic of your engine .

Where is the regulator located?

EDIT: Sorry, no email addresses on the forums. Don S

Check your "Private Messages" (top of page under 'Welcome').

The regulator is located on the Port side just ahead of the starter, above the forward end of the heat exchanger and partially hidden by cooling water hoses. It is IMPERATIVE that ALL electrical power be isolated when working in this area. (Nothing to be afraid of, just safe and cautious).
Check-out EBay. You'll often see the regulator listed. The pictures will give you a point of reference for what you are looking for.
If you hold off on your conversion until NEXT October (my Executive Officer ALWAYS attends the Quilting Show in Chantilly) I certainly could assist you with the conversion. I usually just sit in the truck, read, nap or ride around the Chantilly area.
FWIW....Ed in 'ol Virginny