Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

[supercab78]

I'm going to look at a 1987 boat with a 165hp mercruiser.I need some input from some of you guys and some owners of same power plant. The owner tells me that it is a 4 cylinder engine with a Alpha outdrive. Does this sound like what is also called a 470 merc? Years ago I heard bad things about these engines, something about the over head cam not holding up very well I think. Are the 470's identified by the overhead cam? <br /> This is in a Four Winns horizon 190, about 19 foot. Is it going to be under powered?

 

[Don S]

Re: Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

The 470/3.7L Mercruiser engines do NOT have overhead cams, so that won't be a concern. <br />They are more identified by the lack of an alternator (unless aftermarket kit is installed) they have a stator, regulator, flywheel system similar to an outboard. the stator is the pulley on the front of the engine. It has a water cooled regulator on the port side of the engine. Very expensive when they go bad.<br />Personally I wouldn't recommend one of the 470/3.7L engines to anyone. But there are a lot of them out there that people seem to enjoy.<br />Mercruiser also stopped making them after 1989.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

I doubt it will be underpowerd these 3.7 are torque monsters, My father has one in his 19ft Wellcraft spinning a 21p ss prop. he bought this boat new in 1988, and up to now he has not had any issues with his 3.7, but then again we understood this power plants weak points which Don.s. outlines. These 3.7 need a little bit more attention but overall can be good, details that need to be addressed are to keep cooling system in top condition, which mostly requires changing the impeller in the drive every year or 2 and be sure not to overheat this motor, but since you are considering buying a used one I would suggest you have a good Mech look it over real close, because if these engines have a cooling system or electrical/charging issues they are big bucks to repair. These motors consist of a aluminum block with steel cylinder sleeves and a ford 460 v8 cyclinder head.

 

[MrBill]

Re: Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

Supercab:<br />There are some less than desireable characteristics in the 470/3.7Liter 4cyl engines. The charging system is one...but not insurmountable, another is the direct, cam driven water pump, again not insurmountable but costly to repair since the cam must be removed, not bad if it can be done without engine removal. ANother issue is the closed cooling system, but lots of engines have that. The older models use a 3 inch heat exchanger that was inadequate, the newer ones a 4 incher that works well.<br /><br />I have a 1989 3.7L, the 470 was the early version (1976 to 1984) of this engine. I converted the charging system ($365) when the water cooled alternator died. The alternator died from over heating, because the impeller in the lower unit broke down. It's critical for proper cooling in all closed cooling systems, very problematic for water cooled regulators. I've never had trouble with the cam seals, there are two (inner and outer) and when they wear, small amounts of coolant will leak, signaling time to repair, but it won't create an emergency.<br /><br />There are some real good points about the 3.7L...as Northern Eclipse mentioned, they are torque monsters, they're also very mechnically reliable. In a used boat...everything is dependent on price. You should be able to get a 19 footer in very good condition with a 3.7 for $3500 or less.

 

[supercab78]

Re: Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

Thanks for your replies, that sheds some light on this style engine for me. Is there a way that people are using an external alternater on these? I'm very leary of looking at this boat becuase its getting chilly here in ohio, so I can't test drive it. Thanks for the heads up on the price range, your right on the money he's asking $3100.

 

[tommays]

Re: Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

there are many kits made to convert this motor to a std alt<br /><br />it would be a big mistake to by any boat with out a sea trail it is the only way you can tell the drive and motor are working correctly and that you even really like the boat<br /><br />tommays

 

[MrBill]

Re: Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

Supercab...my appologies, when referring to the water cooled regulator, I mistakenly said alternator. It was a separate alternator conversion kit that I installed which charges and contains a regulator (not water cooled) for the $365. Also, you can search this site for "3.7", "470", etc and get a lot of info on this engine. This thread might help too.<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=009364#000004 <br /><br />Regarding seatrials...those of us in cold climates sometimes have to buy on faith, with that sometimes comes great deals. Without a test drive you should be able to buy for $2300 +/-. I bought my 1989 used four years ago for $3500, most importantly in an aging used boat is the hull condition...you can start the engine, shift the drive and check most other things for operation out of the water. As an example...if the trim gauge on a 15 year old Alpha One works, someone did a great job of taking care of that equipment.<br /><br />I also bought a 1999 Seadoo GTX in December without test...for a great deal. <br /><br />But I would not buy without test if paying market value or if I was spending more than $4-5000. I also feel like I know what to look for in maintenance and wear... and can repair almost anything that could go wrong.

 

[supercab78]

Re: Need opinions an a 1987 165 hp in/out

Thanks for the info MrBill. The seller accidently gave me some hints that things could be wrong. He only had the boat for 1 season, the gauges don't work except for oil, It has two batties in it. And the seat configuration is L shaped seats accross the back and side with one captains chair. So I'm guessing the alternator isn't working but like you said it could be changed. I have had to put two sets of upper gear case shafts in my 1975 OMC but I've never worked on Mercs.