Mercruiser 470 overheating

[Spare_Time]

Found a boat for sale locally. It's very cheap and the catch is that it overheats. The engine is a 1979 mercruiser 470. I have the same engine in my 1987 (except i think mercruiser called it the "165" for this year). I don't have any over heating problems because whoever owned my boat before me replaced the heat exchanger however I have heard these motors in stock form are prone to over heating.

The boat is like $400. Should I grab it and fix it for resale?
I could fix it for a fairly inexpensive price and resell it for a couple more bucks. I'm not stranger to engines, just unfamiliar with certain issues.

Good idea or bad idea? Just trying to figure out what I'm getting into.

thanks much!!!

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Mercruiser 470 overheating

The fact that you have one of these engines makes big difference. they really are poorly regarded, and often have either cooling or electrical problems. I too looked at one recently which was bolted to a pretty clean boat, for cheap. After researching worst case parts scenarios I let it go; my fear would be that the cooling has lead to other damage, requiring block work etc. You dont mention the condition of the boat....

for 400 I would think you could sell parts and the outdrive to get your loot back if it doesnt work out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 470 overheating

The early engines were prone to overheating because of the 3" heat exchanger (your 165 has a 4")
May have been caused by a faulty raw water pump impeller, but overheats of anykind were bad on the 470's because of the open deck type block. Things moved when hot and then takes out the head gasket, and without some inspection who knows what else.

It's very cheap and the catch is that it overheats.

A free boat is the most expensive boat you can own.
Parts and labor costs are NOT determined by how much you paid for the boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 470 overheating

Ayuh,...

I could see buying it for Parts for your own boat,...
Personally,...
I could never Sleep at night if I sold a 470 to a fellow Boater....
Especially as a Running Boat...

 

[Spare_Time]

Re: Mercruiser 470 overheating

Ayuh,...

I could see buying it for Parts for your own boat,...
Personally,...
I could never Sleep at night if I sold a 470 to a fellow Boater....
Especially as a Running Boat...

what's you beef with the 470? bad experiences I take it? ha-ha!