1985 170 H.P. closed system

[fitzroy97]

Hello, I ve had outboards all my life just purchased a 1985 Baretta clean boat 170 H.P> 4 cyl. It does not have a alternator. I believe a stator. The battery light on the dash is on. How does this charge and where is it at? Where do I check the charging system at? Can anyone please help me?

Thank you

Doug

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: 1985 170 H.P. closed system

You check the charging system with your wallet. You made a mistake on your first I/O. Search on here using the terms "470" or 3.7. You'll find everything you didn't want to know about the engine you just bought. Best of luck to you. You have some $ coming out of your pocket very soon.

 

[fitzroy97]

Re: 1985 170 H.P. closed system

Great My luck. Thank you for the reply. I did what you said and see a voltage regulatorthat looks as if water goes thru it what gives?also a conversion to alternator. The heat exchanger was replaced last year. motor runs good. I am the kind of person that couldnt sell it to someone else without the facts of this being a lemon boat. hat being said any suggestions on how to check voltage output and to trace it down.

Thanks

 

[bishop1976]

Re: 1985 170 H.P. closed system

Hey Doug...don't let theses gorilla's scare you. While not ideal these engines had some design flaws and with a little wrench turning and a couple of hundred bucks these issues can be remedied.

If you want to keep the boat do a search for a 470 alternator conversion kit. You can get one for about two or three hundred dollars. It comes with a MARINE alternator, the bracket to mount it, a belt and a wiring diagram. It's very elementary and even some of the monkeys around here could do it.

You also have an issue with a leaky cam shaft seal. Keep an eye on the weep hole under the water pump. If you see coolant then it is time to replace the seals. There are many many articles addressing this on the web.

The last this is to NEVER overheat this engine. The head and block are dissimilar metals and will blow a head gasket at the drop of a hat.


Do your alternator fix, run it on the muffs to temp, and go boating. Take an extra battery......Plan to sell this boat next season. Although I havent had any trouble out of mine these cavemen here have psychologically biased me against it.