What do I need to know about new boat?

[paperdesk]

Hi! I've been lurking in the Evinrude outboard forums for several years trying to iron out my isssues with my previous hole in the water. Now, I have a 1986 Bluewater I/O with a 170 Merc 4 cylinder. This boat has a fresh water cooling system. Since I'm totally new to the I/O side of things, I'm not sure what the basics are that I need to know! I'm hoping some of you with experience can tell me the do's and don'ts so I can avoid big (ie. expensive) mistakes, and keep the boat well maintained.

A few questions I have:

It's getting warmer here now, but sometimes still gets just below 32 at night. Do I need to be worried about draining something? If so what, since it's freshwater cooled.

What "regular" maintenance should I do?

Thanks so much! I'm looking forward to your words of wisdom!

Ted

 

[Bondo]

Re: What do I need to know about new boat?

What do I need to know about new boat?

Ayuh,.... Well for 1 thing,....
You should have asked this Question Before you bought that 470.......
The 470 series from Merc. is the Worst Thing Mercruiser has Ever Done.......

But,.... You've got it Now,...... So, Good Luck......

Do I need to be worried about draining something? If so what, since it's freshwater cooled.

Ayuh,...... It's Still got a Raw Water side to it,......
You'll need to Drain the raw water Out of the Heat Exchanger's Raw Water side......
If it's got P/Steering,... There'll be a P/S Cooler on the line coming in from the Drive,......
It'll also Need to be Drained.......

What "regular" maintenance should I do?

There's a forum dedicated to the 470s,......
I don't have a Link to it,...
But somebody will be along,+ Hopefully they'll post it for you.......

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: What do I need to know about new boat?

Sounds like you have a Merc. 470/488.....
They are a beast unto themselves as they have a few quirky characteristics.....
You should amend your header to include '470' to get the right people to respond to your post......
There are some here with your set up.......

 

[paperdesk]

Re: What do I need to know about new boat?

Thanks for the replies!

I'm hoping this boat doesn't have too many prob's, but it is a boat . . . and an older one at that. Guess I'll know soon enough.

I put 170 because that's what is listed on the engine and outdrive. However, I understand your point that the engine itself is a 470, and 170 is the model number.

Thanks. Keep it coming!

Ted

 

[Don S]

Re: What do I need to know about new boat?

470 style includes such things as the 165 (4 cyl), 170, 180, 190, 3.7L, 3.7LX, 488, and 485. But they are all still 470 style engines with aluminum block and Ford 460 head.

 

[paperdesk]

Re: What do I need to know about new boat?

Thanks for the info Don. Looks like I get to learn a lot! I took the boat to a "trusted mechanic" to check it out before I bought it. He gave the thumbs up so . . . here I am!

I don't think I can change the header now that posts have been made

I searched and didn't find a lot of people posting about this engine or the 470 series. I found the Blue Water forum, but not a lot of action there either.

Well, thanks for your helpful info. Hope more keeps coming along!

Ted

 

[Don S]

Re: What do I need to know about new boat?

There are a bunch of posts on that engine, but it's been called so many different things by different owners that info could be very hard to find.
But if you ask a particular question, I am sure you will get answers.