Questions about Mercruiser 454 & Impeller

[valkyr]

Guys/Gals,

I'm buying an '88 Wellcraft Elite 220 w/ a Mercruiser 454 7.4L Bravo drive (I'm not sure which Bravo version??). I'm picking it up next weekend and it seems to be in great condition. The current owner has only had the boat for 2 years and the previous owner apparently was a "car nut" who took really good care of the boat. I think the current owner has taken good care of the boat as well, regular maintenance, gear oil and winterizing, BUT he doesn't think the impeller has been replaced in the 2 years he's had it.

Questions:
1.) Is it true the impeller needs to be replaced every 2-3 years? I'm fairly handy with automobile repair so is this something I could do with the proper manual, or should I leave it to a mechanic?

2.) I need to know which service manual to buy. I found some for the Mercruiser 454 7.4L but I assume I need one that was made around the same time as the engine?

3.) Actually, do I need the stern drive manual instead of the engine manual? I assume I do.

Any insights/suggestions?

 

[Don S]

Re: Questions about Mercruiser 454 & Impeller

1.) Is it true the impeller needs to be replaced every 2-3 years? I'm fairly handy with automobile repair so is this something I could do with the proper manual, or should I leave it to a mechanic?

Yes, it's true, and it's due for replacement.
Get the OEM manual, read it and determine for yourself if you can do it or not. No one here can say if you can or not.

2.) I need to know which service manual to buy. I found some for the Mercruiser 454 7.4L but I assume I need one that was made around the same time as the engine?

Merc Manual #9 for the engine PN 90-14499--1

3.) Actually, do I need the stern drive manual instead of the engine manual? I assume I do.

You need the sterndrive manual for sterndrive service and repairs, but not for the impeller.
That manual is online. Click Here

 

[valkyr]

Re: Questions about Mercruiser 454 & Impeller

Thanks Don. Now I have another problem.

I can't find that manual except for 1 site that says "due to printing times, some manuals may take 7-10 days to be delivered"...that sounds odd to me.

So, if I can't find that manual, what are my other options? Are the SELOC manuals any good? When I goto SELOCs site, I enter my engine specs and it comes up with this manual:

Mercruiser Stern Drive 1964-91 Stock No.: 3200
Covers Type 1, Alpha/MR and Bravo I and II units powered by Ford and GM 4-cylinder, in-line 6, V6 and V8 engines. For an example of what these manuals typicaly include, click here to see our sample index for stern drive engine manuals.
Price: $36.95 (US)

Also that online Bravo Sterndrive manual looks to only have the table of contents unless I'm missing something?

Thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Questions about Mercruiser 454 & Impeller

Since you found the index, just put your cursor over the section letter you want to open. The cursor will change to a finger over a link.

I would avoid the Seloc and Clymers.

 

[valkyr]

Re: Questions about Mercruiser 454 & Impeller

Ok thanks again. That worked on the Bravo manual...Had to click on the text of "Section 1" or "Section 2"...that was the only part of the manual I hadn't tried to click before I tried clicking the blue section numbers and the contents pages, glad you pointed that out.

Don, please check out this item and tell me if its the correct manual. He doesn't list the 454cid in his description but it is service manual #9.

Ebay Listing

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Questions about Mercruiser 454 & Impeller

Howdy,


Be somewhat suspicious of someone that claims to have done all the maintenance (correctly) .

That's how I thought mine was until I checked the raw water pump (and other stuff). The raw water pump was COOKED. Ran dry. It also cooked the housing (plastic on most Bravos) pretty good too.


But the telling point was when I removed the hoses connecting the output of the pump to the power steering and engine oil coolers.

ALL the broken vanes from a previous pump failure FELL out of the oil cooler!! Luckily there was no evidence of an overheat anywhere.

the pieces went right thru the PS cooler but were stopped by the oil cooler since it's a "real" heat exchanger.....it has several 1/8" tubes inside to cool the oil.



Regards,



Rick

 

[valkyr]

Re: Questions about Mercruiser 454 & Impeller

HT32BSX115, we're going to take it out on the water before I actually give him the money for it. Test the performance and make sure temps and oil pressure look good. Also I'm going to try to check the oil and verify no water in the oil.

Thanks