Re: Is this crazy? or is it just me?
Mike (and others)...I did the conversion on my 3.7L and it's been the best money I ever put into this boat. The conversion kit you provided the link for however may not be the one you'll need. That kit is not complete for all applications and is more expensive than what you should be able to get the kit for. The kit shown is for applications without power steering and can only be mounted on the front, top, starboard side of the engine. If you have PS or if you just want to mount the alternator on the lower starboard side of the engine for space or other reasons, you'll need one of the two types of low mount conversion kits. One provides an adjustable mounting housing and a separate pulley in order to run two belts (one for the PS, one for the alternator. I purchased this kit (for applications with PS) for $370. The other allows low mount withou an additional pulley for non-power steering models. In either case, I think low mount is the best option, since it runs with a short belt and makes for a more compact, easy to complete conversion. <br /><br />Check out the following explanation, instructions and links for purchase...<br />
http://www.jimthompson.net/boating/Electronics/Alternator_conversion.htm <br />Here's the kit I got...<br />
http://marineengineparts.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/page99.html <br />Note that you can get just the alternator for about $175, some places sell all the conversion parts separately..like the bracket for lower starboard side mount for Power Sterring apllications (part # 18-5968 -Sierra)<br />
http://www.aqua-engine-parts.nl/marineparts/parts/mercruiser/mercruiserelectrical.pdf <br />Breezseworks sells a w/PS low mount kit without alternator for $150 and also sells upgraded water-cooled voltage regulators if you don't want to do the conversion. These are suppose to be pretty good too. Check out all the Breezeworks pages for 3.7l/470 parts:<br />
http://www.breezeworks.net/index.html?target=p_12.html&lang=en-us <br />FYI - When I did my conversion I was still skeptical...and did not remove the magnets from the stator flywheel or take out the stator and voltage regulator - "just in case". I now regret that decision and don't want to remove the pulley etc. now, but i will remove the regulator in the Spring and replace the cooling line.<br /><br />As you can see...Breezeworks also sells high mount and low mount conversion kits with and without the alternator, that do not require a second belt and addtional clearance, either one for $89. Go to crankshaft, flywheel and alternator link on left side of page for these and other 3.7L parts<br /> <br />
http://www.breezeworks.net/index.html?target=p_12.html&lang=en-us <br /><br />The $89 Breezeworks low mount kits (with or without PS) do not use the additional pulley and drive belt, they just change the belt length. Breezeworks is the lowest cost alternative. Note the $150 Breezeworks low mount kit uses an additional pulley and a "beefier" alternator holding bracket...this is the stronger application but you need 4 inches of clearance in front of the stator flywheel. I chose this one for several reasons, but mainly because I have power steering and this was the easiest conversion in my circumstance. Otherwise the one-belt lower mount version would have required re-location of other things, like the coil, etc. I was also concerned about one very long belt, with flop and tension becoming a problem. A top mount, even if I could have used it would have required modification of the engine cover.<br /><br />Sorry for the lengthy explanation, but there's a lot more to the conversion than just deciding to do it or don't do it. Select the kit that's best for you, the system works great. My only regret?...not doing it five years ago.
