Mercruiser 470 Alternator conversion

Gawdtilla

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2021
Messages
13
Hey I was looking to get some advice on the alternator conversion I’m planning on doing on my 1989 mercruiser 470, the 3.7 L with power steering.
I ordered a conversion kit as currently my battery isn’t charging and after doing some research I’ve decided it’s better to just convert. My question now is, did anyone remove the old sator or just leave it in the engine disconnected. Would it make a difference if I remove it ?
and secondly, while we are already gonna do the conversion, is there any thing I should check in the engine while working on it? I read that someone mentioned to check the seals on the coolant ? I’m not 100 percent sure so any advice would be appreciated.
thanks !
 

jhamblett

Seaman
Joined
Mar 18, 2021
Messages
53
Coolant seals would be an entire job on its own. Conversion kit will be pretty straight forward since you bought the kit. I am doing a conversion myself right now but I bought the individual parts
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,295
welcome aboard

just leave the stator unless you want to remove it. anticipating your next question, just leave the damper magnets unless you want to remove them.

google 470 problems and go from there.
 
Joined
Mar 27, 2010
Messages
3,008
I took my stator out and sold it on ebay. Put the money into the conversion.
Left the magnets in place on the damper, wasn't going to go looking for trouble there. For the cam shaft seals issue... you can use a skinny wire up the weep hole to make sure it's not blocked. See attached photo of the weep hole to check.. If it's clear and not leaking don't mess with the seals. "If it aint broke, don't fix it."
 

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mk160

Cadet
Joined
Jun 18, 2021
Messages
12
We took the stator out, didn't want the chance of something still generating unwanted power.
 
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