Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

[scv76]

Like many others in the past, my 86/87 470 almost caught fire this week due to a failed regulator (original water cooled regulator), so I am looking at an alternator conversion kit install and was wondering about any clearance issues that will come up.

In another thread (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=482951&page=1) the OP asked if the main fuel fill line has to be moved due to clearance concerns when installing the replacement alternator. No one ever answered his question, and now the thread is closed.

My 470 has power steering, so will the replacement kit pulley have 2 belt grooves, or does the alternator and pwr steering pump only require one groove and a longer belt? I don't have much clearance between the front of the stator/harmonic balancer and the deck floor.

Does anyone have any info on this or any recommendations for a particular kit??

Thanks,
Bob

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

Mine uses a single longer belt. I used the Breezworks kit (low mount), works fine. On some engines you may have to relocate the coolant overflow tank, no big deal. http://www.breezeworks.net/ You can leave the old regulator in place, just remove all of the wires and tape off the wires from the stator.

 

[scv76]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

Thanks stonyloam(Terry)...I will go visit that site and take a look at what is included. It looks like the only place an alternator could mount on mine is also lower left (when looking from front of engine); is that what you mean by low mount?
Do you have a photo of your installation?
My coolant overflow tank is mounted on the transom so that will not be a problem. 1986/87? 4 WINNS 170
Dumb question..Does the engine block have threaded holes in it where the alternator bracket will mount?


Okay I looked at the kit and see no extra pulley so that answers a lot of questions.
Were directions easy to follow?can't be too hard with only three wires!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

The brackets attach through the existing holes in the timing chain cover, new bolts are provided. Sorry no pix, but complete instructions are included. You use same belt groove on your pulley as your current P/S. Just be carefull to not overighten when you put it on.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

Went out and took a photo of my setup:

 

[scv76]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

Thanks a lot for the info and the picture
Looks like it will be a tight fit for the engine cover, but I'm going to order the kit and give it a try.
I will do like you suggested and leave the original regulator in place so I don't have to mess with the water hoses that go to it.
Do you think if the kit alternator fails, a replacement alt. will fit into the brackets?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

Thanks a lot for the info and the picture
Looks like it will be a tight fit for the engine cover, but I'm going to order the kit and give it a try.
I will do like you suggested and leave the original regulator in place so I don't have to mess with the water hoses that go to it.
Do you think if the kit alternator fails, a replacement alt. will fit into the brackets?

That's a standard Delco 10si (marine rated). They are on ebay for under $100.00.

You can remove the stator under the front cover and sell it, and put it towards the conversion kit.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

Do you think if the kit alternator fails, a replacement alt. will fit into the brackets?

Sure thing, just a standard marine 3 wire alternator.

 

[scv76]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits

I'm sold .....thanks everyone for the help

 

[scv76]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

I got my kit this last weekend and did the install (the low mount version because of power steering).
Everything went well, but I did have to cut about 3/4" out of the deck so the alternator would clear the floor.
Am I supposed to leave the resistance wire from the choke to the coil (+) connected with the alt. conversion?
Anyone know what the black wire from alt. kit that goes to the coil (+) does? Is this the sense voltage that keeps the battery from overcharging?
I measured about 11.6 volts at the coil (+) at idle...wasn't the voltage only 6-7 volts at the coil (+) with the original stator/regulator setup?
FYI, the only identification on the kit alternator is "Made in China", so I doubt it's a Delco!!
Even at only 500 RPM, the system is putting out over 14 volts measured at the battery; that should keep the battery charged well!!

 

[scv76]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Anyone?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

The resistance wire is to power the coil, so I would leave it be. I didn't buy that kit, made my own brackets. The alternator needs switched power source from the ignition, which you can get from the electric choke, should be 12v all the time whenever the ignition is on run.

Terry could answer you better since he has the same kit.

Here is some interesting reading on the 3wire alt. which may or may not help:
http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/onewire-threewire.shtml

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Black wire? I do not know, I just followed the instructions LOL. I think the red wire is the sensor wire, and the orange is the output. I left the resistor wire in place. What I do know is that it works just fine now.

 

[scv76]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Eric, thanks for the good read about the three wire alternator systems..it makes a lot of sense to monitor the voltage at a junction point rather than at the battery.

Stony...so far this setup seems to be excellent, and was an easy install to boot. I have a few more things to take care of on my boat, then I can take a little more time to take some measurements at various points in the electrical system to verify how well this works. After running for more than an hour, the alternator exterior case is barely warm! Sure wish my Ford 150's alt. ran that cool.

Thanks everyone

 

[scv76]

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Re: Mercruiser 470 alternator replacement kits update

Just wanted to update thread with some pix in case anyone else has questions.
First one is an overall pic I snapped while installing a battery switch
Second pic is the backside of the alternator showing the connections
Then we have the old regulator!!
Everything works just fine...although the fuel hose was close to being in the way of the alt., it turns out it was not an issue.