Need input on Mercruiser 470 Alternator conversion

[sevillity]

So... despite my better judgement I dove face first into a purchase of my first "real" boat (just sold the dinghy)...

A 1986 Searay Seville II equipped with the infamous 470 -duh duh dunnn- I understand it certainly has quite the mixed review, although mostly bad. I chose to go ahead with it anyhow as it was a great buy and in very good condition. The 470 loyalists seem to love her, and I have fallen for her too. The engine has been completely rebuilt 6 months ago from oil pan to valvetrain and runs wonderfully. I was very impressed with it's power and fuel efficiency considering such power. The outdrive has also been completely re-done, an Alpha 1 by the way. When I first began researching it's various shortcommings I noticed two in particular over and over: the heat exchanger, and the charging system. I believe my heat exchanger is the larger of the two being that my engine is on the newer side of the time period in which it was built, but I'm sure my charging system is the same one so poorly spoken of. So, me being me, I want it done right. Many have spoken highly of Breezeworks conversion. I was hoping perhaps some of you fine folks may know of more information I should know about such a kit, and what I am getting myself into. I am fairly mechanically inclined, although new to the marine world entirely, save for the simple 2-stroke sort. Any information would be greatly appreciated on anything 470, but especially this particular conversion or other kits that may work as well! Thank you so much!

New member,
James

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Need input on Mercruiser 470 Alternator conversion

A 1986 Searay Seville II equipped with the infamous 470 -duh duh dunnn- I understand it certainly has quite the mixed review, although mostly bad. I chose to go ahead with it anyhow as it was a great buy and in very good condition. The 470 loyalists seem to love her, and I have fallen for her too. The engine has been completely rebuilt 6 months ago from oil pan to valvetrain and runs wonderfully. I was very impressed with it's power and fuel efficiency considering such power. The outdrive has also been completely re-done, an Alpha 1 by the way. When I first began researching it's various shortcommings I noticed two in particular over and over: the heat exchanger, and the charging system. I believe my heat exchanger is the larger of the two being that my engine is on the newer side of the time period in which it was built, but I'm sure my charging system is the same one so poorly spoken of. So, me being me, I want it done right. Many have spoken highly of Breezeworks conversion.

Well you asked for it, if it was rebuilt, it will probably only last another 20 years or so:facepalm: You should have the 4" (larger) exchanger with an 86. I used the breezeworks low mount with p/s kit and it works just fine. You get a nice instillation sheet from the manufacturer by e-mail when you order it. It just bolts on and you remove all of the wires from the voltage regulator and tape off the wires from the stator. You can leave the regulator in place. Use a good torque wrench when you tighten the bolts so that you do not overtighten and crack the cast timing chain cover. Here is a link to the manual for your engine: http://www.4shared.com/document/zTbCbkDD/Service_Manual_08.html Manual #8. Welcome to the "470 owners club"

 

[sevillity]

Re: Need input on Mercruiser 470 Alternator conversion

Well you asked for it, if it was rebuilt, it will probably only last another 20 years or so:facepalm: You should have the 4" (larger) exchanger with an 86. I used the breezeworks low mount with p/s kit and it works just fine. You get a nice instillation sheet from the manufacturer by e-mail when you order it. It just bolts on and you remove all of the wires from the voltage regulator and tape off the wires from the stator. You can leave the regulator in place. Use a good torque wrench when you tighten the bolts so that you do not overtighten and crack the cast timing chain cover. Here is a link to the manual for your engine: http://www.4shared.com/document/zTbCbkDD/Service_Manual_08.html Manual #8. Welcome to the "470 owners club"

Thanks for the input! 20 Years?! Do I sense a wee bit of sarcasm? The main reason I bought her was because nearly everything mechanical was new/recently serviced. I was thinking if I got five I'd be doing good considering what I paid for it. Did your low mount conversion require any fabrication or alterations to the deck or engine cover? I will need the same system as I have power steering too. I wonder where the coolant reservoir will go... I plan on doing this sooner than later. All I need to do on top of that is a bit more vinyl work, install the new stereo, figure out my tach(not working), give it a solid buff and wax, and setup a dual battery system. I'm pretty sure too that I do in fact have the 4" exchanger though I'm not sure how to check... she runs cool at about 150-160. Thanks for the pointers and link! I'm happy to join the "470 owners club" for now at least!

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Need input on Mercruiser 470 Alternator conversion

Thanks for the input! 20 Years?! Do I sense a wee bit of sarcasm? The main reason I bought her was because nearly everything mechanical was new/recently serviced. ..Did your low mount conversion require any fabrication or alterations to the deck or engine cover? .. I wonder where the coolant reservoir will go... figure out my tach(not working), give it a solid buff and wax, and setup a dual battery system. I'm pretty sure too that I do in fact have the 4" exchanger though I'm not sure how to check... she runs cool at about 150-160.

Sarcasm, me? Seriously, cam seals should be good for at least 10 years, with the alternator the only thing left to worry about is keeping it cool. Keep an eye on the temp. gauge. I check the compression once a year, and change the impeller every 2-3 years. 50/50 antifreeze and never have to worry about a cracked block. Mine went right in (photo), no alterations at all, one of the guys had to cut a small chunk out of his floor. My coolant reservoir was relocated to the transom. One other thing, winterization: I do it right on the ramp when I pull the boat for winter. Just pull the plug on the boat, and remove the aft (seawater) plug on the exchanger and let it drain. Make sure the p/s cooler (it should be above the exchanger, and if it drains OK, you should not have to check it in the future) drains and you are done with the freeze protection, could not be easier. So you will be enjoying your "crappy 470" while a lot of other guys with "good engines" are whining about milky oil. Have fun

 

[sevillity]

Re: Need input on Mercruiser 470 Alternator conversion

Thank you Stonyloam! Nice to know! I feel better already. I talked to the folks at breezeworks too, man are they great, very informitave. I can't wait to do this mod!

 

[richbis]

Re: Need input on Mercruiser 470 Alternator conversion

I am not a electrical engineer, but I have working as an electronics tech for over 40 years. I replaced my Stator and the Rectifer/Regulator with the replacement made by CDI Electronics because I did not have room in my boat for the alternator conversion and I did not want any more hardware to bolt on as the 470 has vibration that has caused my power steering pump to break the mount. And the CDI replacement uses a switching regulator that is better then the factory unit. I recommend if you have a problem stay with the factory rotor and go with the CDI stator and rectifer/regulator and replace them at the same time so a bad stator does not blow the new Rectifer/Regulator. True the 470 has some chronic failure modes, but when it is right it is a nice set up. The people who sell the 470 parts like breezeworks and e basic power tell me they still sell a lot of 470 parts. I hope so I rebuilt mine and only have 30 hours running time on it since the last rebuild. The orginial short block and regulator/recitifer lasted 17 years of service, but I baby my boat.

Howdy,

Read your post about the CDI regulator and was wondering if you have the model info on it?
How much did it cost? One guy on here used a ford auto regulator but one of the issues was that it only put out about 12.8 volts. Not sure if that is really a problem or not. I'm not officially in your 470 club, didn't know about this forum until recently. I have bought through IBoats before though.

I have an 1983 Larson with the 470 in it. It's the 170 hp model. I bought it almost 3 years ago and it died on me Sunday, had to be towed in. I was running along when the engine just died and had a slow crank that wouldn't start it, I think the regulator went bad and the batteries died because it wasn't getting any charge. I've charged the batteries and cleaned up all the electrical connections while I researched how to troubleshoot it. I did try to make some ohm reading on the regulator, but it seems like it is just an open. I measured all 4 connections to ground and got no readings.

I read that you could run it without the regulator, but how would you connect the stator to the batteries so you get some charge? Today is Wednesday and I'm hoping to have at least a temporary fix so I can go out this weekend. It might even work for awhile running on the two batteries I have installed. Not sure how long it would run. I still have to start the engine and take some voltage measurements before saying for sure that the regulator is dead, but it looks like it might be.

I am also concerned about the space available for the aftermarket alternator since I don't have much room for one. The top mount looks like it would be a problem with the radiator reserve tank and the low mount might be a problem with the floor and dog house.

I've been very happy with the boat and motor so far and don't expect that to change. I fish and or crab almost every weekend so it gets a lot of use. It only has about 408 hours on it and as an open bow 17 ft, it does pretty much everything I want.

Anyway, I'd like some more info on that regulator if you can; and wonder what your impression is of using and automotive one?

Thanks,
Rich