Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

[ejipci]

I have a Mercruiser 470 (165hp). Just locked up over the weekend. It is on a SeaRay 19 ft. in very good condition. The marine mechanic said my options are to buy a new motor (which they don't make anymore, i.e., find one that fits or similar or get a used one and take chances), or have it re-built by the local machine shop. He said it would cost me (ball park) $2,000.

What should I do? Any opinions? Is this too much $$ or a good deal? How reliable is a "re-built" motor? etc...

Thanks for any input!!
ejipci

 

[thrasher]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

You are certain that it's the motor that locked up, not the outdrive? The outdrive is much cheaper to repair.. Before sinking the boat, I would like to understand how you or the mechanic came to the conclusion the motor has died. Don't want you wasting money on a new or rebuilt engine if its the outdrive..

Gary

 

[ejipci]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

The mechanic said he pulled off the 'outdrive'. He then has a spline tool that connects to the motor and tried to rotate the crank shaft. It would not turn. He said (if I agreed) he would pull the motor out for $150 and check it. But his opinion is, "that it is ceased" and probably needs a re-build.

ejipci

 

[thrasher]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

If he pulled the outdrive then that answers my question. He has correctly diagnosed a dead engine..
$2000 sounds about correct to rebuild a complete engine and install it. But you could probably half that if you did it yourself!! How mechanically inclined are you?
I am not familiar with the 470 engine so hopefully someone else can chime in here and give you some advise.
How old is the boat?

Gary

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

Pull your spark plugs and also check the oil. Make sure you did not ingest water via a cracked exhaust manifold. That will lock it up quick.

2K for a complete rebuild is not too bad. You could do it yourself. Most 99% of the parts are available via NAPA and it has a ford 460 head.

I would check to see if you can turn it over and get another opinion.

ALTERNATIVE.......

Scrap the 470 and get a 4.3 V-6 (used) and bolt it in. The conversion may cost a bit more but will last a long time.

 

[ejipci]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

If he pulled the outdrive then that answers my question. He has correctly diagnosed a dead engine..
$2000 sounds about correct to rebuild a complete engine and install it. But you could probably half that if you did it yourself!! How mechanically inclined are you?
I am not familiar with the 470 engine so hopefully someone else can chime in here and give you some advise.
How old is the boat?

Gary

It is a 1987 Sea Ray Seville Bow Rider (i.e., 20 years old). The boat has had only 2 owners. I knew them both. It is in great shape and this is the first problem (and a big one) with the boat, ever.

I have replaced wheel bearings on trucks and cars and have replaced the head gasket on an old Pontiac Sunbird. I could probably do the work, but I don't have time to "learn" what to do and figure it out. Plus my "tool set" is not that extensive. I usually "borrow" from friends just because I don't do much of that work these days.

I live up north (upstate NY) and our summer is SHORT. So I don't want to spend it re-building the engine. Maybe I just someone who knows what they are doing and have it done in 1/4 the time. Then I might be able to use the boat this summer before it snows!!

ejipci

 

[thrasher]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

I would definately suggest following Bob's advise. Remove all the spark plugs and see if the engine will turn over. I recently had water enter my engine (via the exhaust) and it completely locked the engine. Remove the plugs and see if it turns over. If it does then spin the engine on the starter for 20 to 30 seconds to clear out the water, then install new spark plugs and see if it will start. If it does then you can reinstall the outdrive and you are good to go.
Of course if this is the problem you will want to look at ways of preventing water getting back into the engine!! Mine was missing the flapper valve on one exhaust!!

Regards Gary

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

Found this link http://www.mercruiserparts.com/mercury_mercruiser_3-7.htm

Manifolds and riser's are cheaper on the net but (if they are the problem) they are still close to $500-600


If you live "upstate NY" your summer is the same as mine in VT actually longer. There are alot of older boats scrapped with 470's. You just need to visit marina's and start asking around. Whare are you in NY?

 

[ejipci]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

Found this link http://www.mercruiserparts.com/mercury_mercruiser_3-7.htm

Manifolds and riser's are cheaper on the net but (if they are the problem) they are still close to $500-600


If you live "upstate NY" your summer is the same as mine in VT actually longer. There are alot of older boats scrapped with 470's. You just need to visit marina's and start asking around. Where are you in NY?

I will look into this (old boats, that is). I live in Rochester, NY. I boat on Lake Ontario and the surrounding bay inlets.

Thanks for your advice. I should know more about "my boat", mechanically. But I guess I just "use it". Time for a crash course in boat motor vernacular !!

ejipci

 

[ejipci]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

Turns out, my Mercruiser 470 has an alternator build-in to the motor near the damper pulley. The pieces from alternator (filed magnets??) all broke apart and locked up the crank shaft, so the mechanic says.

Anyone every hear of this?

Looks like a rebuild might NOT be in order. I probably won't sink the boat either!

Thanks again all,
ejipci

 

[MATCHETTM]

Re: Mercruiser 470, Dead. Rebuild or Sink Boat in Lake?

I have a 1979 28' Bayliner Victoria with twin Mercruiser 470's. Just pulled one engine because the flywheel came off and now I had to pulle the other engine due to a knocking sound. In the process of pulling both motors out I became rather intimate with these things and I can see how your motor locked up from shattered magnets from the magneto pulley. My boat has alternator conversions on both engines and that is the way to go.
The engine I just took out with the knock had spun a rod bearing. Probably because the previous owners never changed the oil.
The motors are actually very solid and built very tough. The crank, roda and pistons are massive. Maybe too big but nevertheless they should be very torquey. It's a heavy motor and alot of Iron.
I am keeping mine and rebuilding it myself. It is very basic and as a previous respondent said the parts are Ford 460 and should be plentiful.