Mercruiser 3.7L 4 Cylinder questions

[Newbie@boats]

So I am definitely looking into getting another boat I have a few other threads open, but I am narrowing my search down between a Bayliner Trophy and this Imperial VC 200 they bayliner has the 3.0 4 cylinder and this boat has the 3.7 4 cylinder and looks to be in excellent over all condition.

I remember when I first join this forum back in 2010 I bought my first boat with this exact motor and it was a problem child and I will have to admit I may have pissed off a few of the very well known guys on this forum. I was young and thought I knew more than I really did. Fast forward to 2016 I will admit I have learned a lot about engines and my mechanical skills have got much better.

If this motor has been maintained as well as the rest of the boat looks can I expect to run into to many issues with this or if it has been properly maintained should it be a good running motor with little to no issues, I know about the stator problems and the water pump wearing a groove onto the cam causing a leak from the seal but other than that is there much to be expected to go wrong? Long post I know but I am looking to buy a nice boat so me and my fiance can go out on the lake with our dog and have a worry free time. Thanks for any info in advance I will attach the link to the ad http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/5455683144.html

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Don't buy a 470,.... They're gettin' older, not better,.....

 

[Newbie@boats]

So you're saying no matter how properly its been maintained it wouldn't even be worth it? I asked him if he upgraded to an alternator or had any water pump issues, also I am waiting to hear back about hours on it.

 

[GA_Boater]

I am looking to buy a nice boat so me and my fiance can go out on the lake with our dog and have a worry free time.

After your 470 experiences, how does getting another one fit your goal - Worry free time? I had to ask.

 

[Newbie@boats]

After your 470 experiences, how does getting another one fit your goal - Worry free time? I had to ask.

Budget.....I blame my first experience on my very little mechanical knowledge thinking I knew more than I really did......

If I had to do a speedy sleeve on the cam or upgrade the charging system that would not concern me at all.

Back in 2010 I worked on the boat with minimal tools and know how along with not having the right setting.

I now have better tools, some more know how, and a great garage to work on anything I need to.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Find a boat with Chevy power if ya want an I/O,....

When lookin' for boats, several things ya Don't wanta buy,....

470 is right at/ near the Top,.... even "Showroom" condition,...

OMC anything is a close tie,....

A Volvo with their little 4 cylinder is also risin',....

 

[Newbie@boats]

Yeah, I found another Bayliner trophy with an OMC and learned very quickly to run away from that boat, and looking back to other boats I had I did have a 3.7 in another boat and I never had an issue with it. I will consider all options at this point. With my budget its hard to find something in my area that is in decent shape. If I were to buy this boat, and I ran it upon inspection how would I re winterize it being a closed cooling system

 

[Newbie@boats]

Also, If I do end up buying this boat would I be able to swap out heat exchangers from the 3in to the 4in without any issues?

 

[e5earley]

Swapped mine out to the 4" exchanger with no issues. If memory serves me, I had to use the bracket that came with the 4".

 

[Newbie@boats]

Ok thanks! I do plan on going Saturday and checking the boat out. It seems like a super clean low hour power but I know pictures can be deceiving. I plan on looking it over front to back, testing the compression, and voltage output from the stator, as well as looking over the rest of the motor for any signs of issues. The selling said the impeller and gear oil were changed in 2014 should I plan on doing the impeller right away? He will have it all hooked up on a hose ready to let it run for how ever long I want it to for looking it over.

 

[Newbie@boats]

Just an update, I found an alternator conversion for $300 and I can swap out to the bigger 4in heat exchanger with the bracket for $200

I was able to negotiate the guy down to $3,000 over email, which by the looks of the boat doesn't seem like a horrible number. I will let you guys know how I end up saturday

 

[bruceb58]

You are asking questions about buying a boat with a 470 and everybody is telling you not to do it. I am VERY surprised you are still considering it.

 

[stonyloam]

Not everybody LOL! You know the issues, so you are going in with your eyes wide open. The only thing I would like to see are the compression numbers. If you can get that done and if they look OK, go for it. As for the 4" exchanger, if yours is in good shape, I would not worry too much about it. The 3" should work fine as long as you CHANGE YOUR IMPELLER at least every other year ( every year would be best). If the boat is currently charging properly ~14 volts, save your money until it fails ( the regulator most likely) THEN change over to the alternator. Yeah, you guessed it I am a ( one of a few) 470 fan. So in the spring when you see all these why did my "freeze plug" fall out posts here you can take your girl out for a ride LOL! Anyway which ever way you go have fun!

 

[e5earley]

I know I don't have the wealth of knowledge that the rest of you guys have. I'm certain that had I asked the question of "should I" before I purchased I would have been told to run, not walk away. I did end up going the 470 route myself. It had the typical coolant leak which I fixed. Wasn't that difficult. Replaced starter, heat exchanger, and added alternator. Currently doing gimbal, shift cable, bellows, etc. Basically I have about 700.00 in parts investment at this point and I haven't got the boat wet yet.

All that to say this. If I didn't pick the boat and trailer up for $125.00 and had a 3000.00 dollar budget. I would have waited patiently for a GM powered, mercruiser outdrive boat.

Truth be know, when I get everything going, I will more than likely sell the boat and take the funds and roll it into something with better parts availability. The last thing I want to do during boating season is have to search ebay for premium priced 30 year old parts. Just my 2 cents. But, if you like the boat, and want the challenge, it is your money. And from what I've seen reading the forums, if you decide to get it, there will be a great group of guys here to help you work through the issues.

 

[Davetowz]

I like my 3.7. Alternator was a must. Strong pulling motor, keep the oil changes, and don't overheat and watch for the known issues. Love the closed cooling and the power to weight. If I changed it I would probably go 4.3l but am happy with my old dog.

 

[Newbie@boats]

Only reason I am still considering it is I had one which was a nightmare and wasn't maintained properly and I had another that was maintained right and I loved it and what I know now vs what I knew back then is a world of difference.

This motor reminds me of the 6.0L powerstrokes everyone says they're junk and wouldn't ever buy one I owned 3 of them after fixing the known issues just like this 3.7 they were great trucks.

 

[bruceb58]

Hope you get it for a lot less than the asking price. Way too high for a 1987 boat.

 

[Newbie@boats]

I've been looking for a little while and it's actually very hard to find something as in decent shape as this for my budget. I can find a few newer ones in my budget but they all need motors. I will not be paying asking price

 

[Mercruiser420]

470s are actually good motors, make a lot of power, very torqy, freshwater cooled, easy to work on, parts turn up surprisingly often on eBay..either switch to alternator or get a cdi regulator (if you need to)..really, if you know how to deal with it and maintain it well, its a great motor. Any 3.7 post 1982 should have a 4" heat exchanger. I'd pressure test the cooling system

 

[Newbie@boats]

Just found another boat on CL not as clean as the Imperial but it has the 1993 5.0 cobra motor which I assume is a better more reliable bet?