Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

[Freedom40]

Would just like to share with you all my story with the 470. I have the 2 barell 170 hp version. I absolutely love this thing. Everyone on here complains that they are terrible, but that's because they don't maintain them. Mine is properly maintained and I have 2,350 hours on this beast! No rebuild. I don't baby it either. I normally cruise at around 3200 rpm, and my max rpm is 4300. This is an average cruise I guess, but when I give the keys to my son, it's a different story. All he know is wot=fun. I installed a camera facing the rpm gauge to see what rpm he was running when he was out with his friends. For a full 45 minutes I didn't see below 4000 rpm on the gauge. He had it pinned at 4300 rpm for a solid 15 minutes and this engine didn't miss a beast. I am truly amazed with this thing. I'd like to see another inboard with 2,350 hours run wot for that long. He also uses the boat a lot so the engine see's high rpm a lot. As long as he pays for gas he can use it. (He does pay for gas when he uses it) I'm looking at getting another boat so I don't mind that its run so hard because when/if it blows that's an excuse for me to get another boat.
Cheers!

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

Nice story. What are you trying to convince us of? Do you think that we are now going to go in search of 470's to swap into our boats since you have had such miraculous longevity from yours? I'm not trying to be a donkey hole. I'm asking with sincerity. What is your point? The engines are no longer made, so ultimately...it's irrelevant that yours has ran at near WOT for 2300 hours. Just sayin'!

 

[Fleetwin]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

I think he made his point in the thrid sentence, "that's because they don't maintain them".

 

[Freedom40]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

Just trying to give the 470 some credit. Seems like everyone is very hateful toward them and tell everyone on the forum not to buy one.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

Well I appreciate the thumbs up for that power plant. Just bought a 1979 set up that had a blown head gasket,[they did not change the impeller],and I am in the process of rebuilding her from the crank up. Yes I have read a lot of negativity about the 470 but I still went ahead with my plans.As noted I will be maintaining her just like my 5.7 and expect it to last the rest of my lifetime.You know whats even better ? It is a BAYLINER,talk about rolling the dice. Actually in 79 they made a very decent boat and the one I picked up is a 22' Center Console with a walk around cuddy. Fiberglass lined and all wood is excellent,even the piece of unpainted plywood they put under the front motor mounts is solid.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

Yea I've seen a few old 470s that have been running since Jesus was a lad. Maintenance does make a big difference in longevity. I would venture to say that like any engine some will last forever with seemingly no attention and some won't make it past the launch ramp. I would not encourage anyone to buy a 470 but I certainly would not try to detract from someone who obviously takes good care of his equipment and is proud of it. He's just making a very good point about good maintenance and he even acknowledges that the 470 isn't the best design. I give Willmartens Kudos and a public attaboy for showing what good maintenance can do for your machines. It's not just 470s either, I wont touch stringers and I wont let friends buy them but I've seen some very nice well maintained dependable stringer boats. The only motor I can think of that is universally acknowledged as a good boat anchor is the pre Merc Force outboards. Or the OMC sea drives. Havent seen either in years so I guess nature took it's course. However I am sure there is SOMEBODY out there who swears by those.

 

[Freedom40]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

I do all the maintenance myself on it. Change oil after every season. Only about 40 hours. And simple things like cleaning and plug replacements. This baby just keeps on purring!

 

[achris]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

I completely agree with you... The 470 is a great engine after a couple of mods are made, and they are still running... The problem lies not with the engine itself, but a few of design issues. Most can be overcome, but the main one, the open deck of the block, cannot. If you overheat those engines, they will do the head gasket, sure as eggs. Even that's no big deal, but if you need to do anything more than normal maintenance or a head gasket, getting parts is becoming increasingly difficult.

I am not a 470 hater, I actually do like them, but I also understand their issues. Would I buy a boat with one in? Probably not, not when the last one was built almost 30 years ago (1987).

Chris.........

 

[mr 88]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

Many post say the same thing,you overheat etc you will need a head gasket.To the best of my knowledge most if not all common 4-stroke engines suffer.the same fate if not more when overheated.The temp gauge should be one the big ones on dashboards instead of some little 2'' gauge lost in a cluster of other bells and whistles below the steering wheel.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

None dropped a thrust bearing at 10 years old. I started to rebuild the engine, but never got around to reassembling it. Finally just junked it.

I sure made a mistake by not buying the 140 hp motor. The 470 ran great on top end, but with a 23 pitch prop it was a dog coming off idle pulling skiers.

The 4.3 engine is just so much better, and a great compromise between economy, power and smoothness.

 

[Moose truck]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

I just bought one :embarassed:! Its in a 1987 19' Cuddy, that the PO was selling cheap because he's moving. It's a 165 hp. This ones not really well maintained. So to the basics, drain the heat exchanger, maybe change the oil, and tarp the boat. Spring time new pump & oil in the leg, plugs & points (or electronic ignition?), set timing, and fire her up to see what needs fixing. The boat needs old boat stuff, floor & transom seems solid, that's a start... Regards, Moose

 

[agallant80]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

I for one like to hear the story of things lasting. If a 470 can make it 2000 hours then my 2013 5.0MPI should have no issues. You are correct to be proud that you have been able to take care of her and keep her going.

Do you care to share some of your tips?

 

[Walt T]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

Yes. Pickle the engine and drive, shrinkwrap the entire boat and trailer, and store it for 50 years.

 

[old islander]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

I would of taken that Vega off your hands. I allways wanted to build a Vega with a small block chevy screamer in it. When I was in High School you could buy the engine swap kit for them for about $100. At our local drag strip I remember two guys that had done it. Both those cars were terrors in the 1/4 mile if you feathered the gas off the line to keep the tires hooked up..... Thank you mercruiser470fan. That was a great trip down memory lane.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Legendary mercruiser 470 motor. OVER 2000 HOURS!!

It was indeed Old islander.