some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

[kcolney]

I was referred to merc people to help with info on this engine

I know nothing about this engine except that it isnt made anymore

boat is a celebrity 268 sport with dual 3.7lx engines 1989 about 700hrs

Good,bad problems what? I would like as many opinions as possible in that i am looking to purchase this boat but if the engines are junk would like to save the $400 on survey

any Guru help would be much appreciated!!

 

[Don S]

Re: some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

Not sure about the Guru part, but I just answered this in your other post in the Boat topics forum, but here is my answer from the other post.

Those are basically the 470 engine. It's a strictly Mercruiser built Aluminum block with a Ford 460 head.
The alternator is actually the vibration dampner pulley with magnets, a stator like an outboard, and a water cooled regulator. Some parts in this setup are NLA, the others are just every expensive. You can convert to a regular alternator with a $400 kit.
They also have a problem with the cam seal in the circulation pump leaking antifreeze into the oil. Really poor setup.
They have a lot of torque for a 4 cylinder, but personally, I would walk away from a boat that had those in it. Especially if it had twins. Talk about double trouble !!!!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

ill second DonS
walk into any mercruiser dealer and ask the tech to show you the valve lash checking tool or how to check/adjust the lash.
there were also some issues of the manifold cracking and dumping antifreeze into the exhaust as well as if you ever overheat it its bye bye head gasket.
an open deck block doesnt like core shifts for any reason.
replacing the head on a 3.7 can get interesting if the head isnt properly lined up on the block, you would not believe how many heads we had to pull back off and properly install after the local automotive techs got done with them.
if installed incorrectly it will either leak oil or the intake wont bolt on correctly.
were not even going to get into the charging system.
was all a good idea, was a very poor execution of said idea.
luckily, most have dissapeared not that I would work on one anyway.
kinda like an OMC stringer unit, just say no.

 

[JoChek219]

Re: some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

if taken care of they are a good motor, like they said it has power curves similar to a 4.3L v-6 . You can get an alt kit for about $200 I put one on my boat a couple yrs ago now. Make sure if you are seriously thinking about buying that boat that they have the 4'' Heat Exchangers . The cylindars are out of a 460 so its a "Big 4cyl." and they are really good on gas

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

Run away, quickly.

 

[Bondo]

Re: some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

Ayuh,...... If you haven't already bought it,......... Don't........

 

[kcolney]

Re: some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

Thanks to the overwelming negativity to these engines I took a pass on this boat, and I have no regrets at all. I was expecting to get both yea and ney on this thing but it seems people in the know dont like the 3.7lx for enough reasons.

Had i not had this forum I prob would have spent $300-$500 on a survey to have a guy say the same things to me. Thanks to all for information....the search continues.

 

[Bondo]

Re: some help/info on 89' 3.7lx

Thanks to all for information....the search continues.

Ayuh,..... Come on back Anytime,.....

A couple more tips for an I/O boat Buyer,.....

Buy Nothing with the Mercruiser 470 motors,.....

Buy Nothing that says OMC on it,... Anywhere......

Many of the fellas here say the Volvo is the Best,+ Strongest drives,....
But,.....
Up in this country,... Parts are almost as hard to come by as OMC parts......

Whatever you buy,......
If it's got Chevy power, marinized by Merc. or Volvo, etc.....
That's a step in the Right direction......