MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

[txbandit44]

I have been looking and searching around on the site here for info on this set up. I am looking at a 1987 19 ft wellcraft cuddy/sleeper. It has a 87 MC 165 and alpha 1 outdrive. The thing I cant seem to figure out is it says 165 even the valve cover says 165 but its a inline 4 not a 6. All I seem to find when I search is the 6. I have questions and need answer cuase this boat is just what I want in a family boat. Something to ski in till the kids get cranky and i can get them out of the sun and in the cuddy and then troll till I cant troll any more.

Questions i have are

Is this really a 165 in a 4 banger?

Would parts be hard to come by with this set up? the out drive serial# is0B509001 I cant find the serial number for the motor it has faded away on the valve cover and I wouldnt know where to look on the block. The motor seems to have a generator or alternator that is part of the harmonic balancer in the front. The only belt driven thing on this is the power steering pump. It also has what looks like a coolant resivore on the top port side. I assume this is a closed system?

Am i going to be able to pull a 260lb man on any and all forms of ski's ?

Do these suck for fuel consumption?

If the block blows up would I be able to move to a bigger power plant say I6 or v8?


And that one question that everyone loves what sould I be looking out for that would say dont buy this? I would search this but like i said I am not finding the 4 banger 165 and alpha 1 combo here.

 

[ziggy]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

here's a whole bunch of threads on the mercruiser 470 version engine. yes, a 4 cyl. 165hp. http://forums.iboats.com/search.php?searchid=2928065
go get service manual #8 from the adult only sticky. in it you'll find any thing you want to find out about that engine package...

from what i read on this engine. they sound like trouble to me....

oh, here's a good read on that engine and some of it's known issues.. http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470coolantleakrepair.html

 

[Don S]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

The 165 4cyl is the Mercruiser 470 by a newer name. Right up there with OMC striger drives. If you don't already own it, move on to the next boat.
The 470 was an aluminum block by Mercruiser using a 460 Ford head, a stupid ouboard type rotor/stator charging system and an open deck block that doesn't put up with overheats worth a darn. The cam shaft seal is a common problem that will allow antifreeze into the oil.
Just not a good engine in the long run.
PS Parts for the charging system are VERY expensive, but there are aftermarket systems designed for replacing much of it

 

[txbandit44]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

Thanks and ill be saying no thanks to the seller. As soon as I read 470 in your post my heart sank. And i only got past the water pump section of the thread you said listed common problems. Could this be changed out with another not so crapppy GM power plant I wonder?

 

[txbandit44]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

What are yalls opinions on the alpha 1 out drive? Would it say genII on the serial tags and decals if it was?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

Anything can be outfitted but you gonna spend a fortune and still have a 87, move on there are so many boats now i'm sure you will find something.

 

[Bondo]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

Is this really a 165 in a 4 banger?

Would parts be hard to come by with this set up?

Ayuh,...

That's the Redheaded bastard Step-child of Mercruisers,...
You Don't want it,... Many of it's parts are NLA...

What are yalls opinions on the alpha 1 out drive? Would it say genII on the serial tags and decals if it was?

The 470s were Long Gone by the time the Gen.IIs came out,...
It's got an Alpha 1,...
Swapping in a Chevy powerplant is a Long, Involved, Expensive process....

You Don't want that boat...

 

[txbandit44]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

Oh yeah I decided that i was not getting the boat as soon as I saw it was the beloved 470.

But I still want to know is the alpha 1 a good unit for future canidates for my first I/O. I dont plan on getting anything but MC. I have learned my lesson with my OMC outboards great power plants but I want to deal with someone still in business. Volvo penta is a good choice to but I am afraid of being able to get parts since its not a US based company.

I guess I will keep searching here for the pros and cons of the MC line but I know for sure I want a GM powerplant.

ONe question I do need answered though is HOW much power would be a good match up for a 19 ft - 22ft ski boat? I mean what HP rating should I be looking for to cover all the bases such as pulling a 250 lb man on a wake board?


Thanks for the help

 

[Bondo]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

HOW much power would be a good match up for a 19 ft - 22ft ski boat? I mean what HP rating should I be looking for to cover all the bases such as pulling a 250 lb man on a wake board?

Ayuh,....

The Alphas have been around for Ever,...
The Pre-Alphas, the Alpha 1s,+ the Gen.IIs are All pretty good drives,...
They have the draw-back of being Dog-clutched drives,... But so are about Every Outboard motor ever built...
With the usual Annual Maintance,... They'll last Along Time...

For the hulls you're lookin' at,+ what you want to Do,....
I'd say the 200hp V6s,+ V8s would be the Absolute Minimums you should be looking at...
The 5.7l, 350s with the Alpha drive would be about Ideal for ya.....

 

[txbandit44]

Re: MC 165 with alpha 1 outdrive

cool thanks