Starting a 3.7L Mercrusier out of the boat.

[blkzoe]

All:

Am in the middle of a 3.7L total rebuild and wish to start the engine on dry land once re-assembled. Have seen plenty of videos of folks doing this. I've never have done this myself.

The engine(s) are FWC, 4" heat exchangers are in great shape. Beyond adding the coolants (FW and raw) and lubes (duh); here are my thoughts (and questions):

1. Hook up and turn on the garden hose to the raw water feed (looks like the heater hose that initially cools the voltage regulator).

2. There's no real fuel feed other than what's in the bowl of the carb. Any thoughts on a safe fuel feed for longer running times?

3. Battery hook-up to starter system? Direct to starter or employ solenoid and ground?

4. How do I wire the engine to the "on" state. Recall there's no keyed on/off switch employed here (or is there)? Once "on", how do I kill it?

5. Will attached a "real" pressure gague at the oil pressure sensor for a real time readout.


Any suggestions are welcome. Just help me test this engine prior to dropping it back in the bilge. The thought of having to pull the engine back out for an assembly error is giving me nightmares.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starting a 3.7L Mercrusier out of the boat.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....

#1,... Yes, hook up yer hose to the port that takes in the raw water from the drive....

#2,... Use a hose, 'n fuel can, 'n hook it up to the Fuel Pump inlet....

#3, 'n #4,... Hook up the starter, 'n a jumper wire from the (+) terminal of the battery, to the (+) on the ignition coil...

Jumper cables can be used to hook up the battery to (+) on the starter, 'n the block Ground...

 

[Don S]

Re: Starting a 3.7L Mercrusier out of the boat.

1. Hook up and turn on the garden hose to the raw water feed (looks like the heater hose that initially cools the voltage regulator).

That's the place.

2. There's no real fuel feed other than what's in the bowl of the carb. Any thoughts on a safe fuel feed for longer running times?

Just hook up fuel tank to the inlet side of the fuel pump.

3. Battery hook-up to starter system? Direct to starter or employ solenoid and ground?

Hook the battery up just like it would be hooked on the boat.

4. How do I wire the engine to the "on" state. Recall there's no keyed on/off switch employed here (or is there)? Once "on", how do I kill it?

Your ignition key will be a jumper wire from the battery positive terminal to the + terminal on the coil

5. Will attached a "real" pressure gague at the oil pressure sensor for a real time readout.

I typically remove the oil pressure sender and hook up mechanical gauge to that port.

 

[blkzoe]

Re: Starting a 3.7L Mercrusier out of the boat.

Guys:

Thanks for the input! As long as I have your attention;

oil pump alignment - I don't have the special tool. Intend to employ the distributer hex drive. Loosely bolt up the oil pump; align with the distributer; then torque pump bolts to specs.

Comments on alignment?

Also; priming the oil pump. Any special do's or don'ts with 3.7L oil pump priming? New pump & pick-up tube assembly; Melling.

 

[blkzoe]

Re: Starting a 3.7L Mercrusier out of the boat.

it's alive; IT'S ALIVE; MY CREATION IS ALIVE!!!

All; thanks for the input particularly the "Adults only" section.

Started the 470 (170hp) from a TOTAL rebuild including carb rebuild this afternoon Had to employ some foggy memory for the static timing set on a pulled distributer, but it fired on the 1st crank. Will post a video tomorrow. Falling into a bottle of South American Malbec to celebrate. This engine is a beast. (I know, afterglow fades, but still......)

I know 470's don't get much love on this forum, but once you get to know the engineering strategy Mercruiser employed (for better & for worse) it ain't that bad.

PS Those pistons are coffee cans. 4.36"?

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Starting a 3.7L Mercrusier out of the boat.

Got YouTube video :noidea:

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Starting a 3.7L Mercrusier out of the boat.

470's rule!!!!! :facepalm: Maybe I should cut back on the PBR's LOL.