Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

[The Dutchman]

I have posted before but still havent decided on where to take this boat. Its a 1981 Mercruiser 470 4 cly engine with a mercruiser outdrive. The 20 ft hull is in perfect shape, but the boat hasnt moved from its resting spot in 6 years or so. I turned the engine and removed spark plugs.... 2 of which broke..... thank god for e z outs. I turned the harmonic balancer I believe is the name by using a metal rod and the engine turns with little effort at times and harder at times. There is a small grinding noise coming from the back of the engine but its seeming to go away with the more times i crank it over. I havent tried to electrically turn it over. I have the new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, battery im borrowing. Im debating whether or not to keep the engine or just part it out and try and make enough money to purchase a new engine and maybe outdrive. Ive heard the 470 is a like it or hate it engine, but mainly for its charging systems and keeping its terminals clean and covered. Ive seached around a bit but havent found too much info. Ive called mercruiser and various marines around here and they all want 300+$ to look at it, and i dont want to drop that kind of money on the boat yet. Lastly the throttle is not assembled to the point where i can really tell if its in neutral. Its in drive and when I turn the prop it only turns the correct way like it should, however, it clicks kinda loud. Mercruiser said it was nothing to worry about. But im still skeptical. Was hoping you all could give me some good advice. Very many thanks in advance. Sorry for the long post

 

[The Dutchman]

Re: Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

anyone ? need to make a choice soon due to a place to store and work

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

Your description indicates that the engine may have corrosion inside the cyls.

The drive is in the forward gear. It's supposed to click when you turn the prop in the "correct" direction.

You might want to drain the drive oil and see what it looks like. It may be ok.





Sitting for that long with a small amount of water in some of the cyls would at least require a teardown. With that in mind I would say that at minimum you'll need to completely tear the engine down. You'll know when you get the head off.

The grinding noise is probably the pistons and rings sliding across the rusty areas in the cyls.

You need a complete OEM service manual if you're going to any of this stuff yourself. If you're thinking about taking the boat somewhere and having someone do it they'll probably just replace the engine with a reman.


If you want specific answers to specific questions from any of the people here that do this for a living you'll need to post the year model, and serial numbers of both the engine and drive.



Regards,


Rick

I have posted before but still havent decided on where to take this boat. Its a 1981 Mercruiser 470 4 cly engine with a mercruiser outdrive. The 20 ft hull is in perfect shape, but the boat hasnt moved from its resting spot in 6 years or so. I turned the engine and removed spark plugs.... 2 of which broke..... thank god for e z outs. I turned the harmonic balancer I believe is the name by using a metal rod and the engine turns with little effort at times and harder at times. There is a small grinding noise coming from the back of the engine but its seeming to go away with the more times i crank it over. I havent tried to electrically turn it over. I have the new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, battery im borrowing. Im debating whether or not to keep the engine or just part it out and try and make enough money to purchase a new engine and maybe outdrive. Ive heard the 470 is a like it or hate it engine, but mainly for its charging systems and keeping its terminals clean and covered. Ive seached around a bit but havent found too much info. Ive called mercruiser and various marines around here and they all want 300+$ to look at it, and i dont want to drop that kind of money on the boat yet. Lastly the throttle is not assembled to the point where i can really tell if its in neutral. Its in drive and when I turn the prop it only turns the correct way like it should, however, it clicks kinda loud. Mercruiser said it was nothing to worry about. But im still skeptical. Was hoping you all could give me some good advice. Very many thanks in advance. Sorry for the long post

 

[andy1canada]

Re: Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

Howdy Dutchman!

Keep bumping your post, someone will jump in sooner or later.

I had a '470' in a boat (project) that sat in my driveway for over two years. I never did get it in the water before I sold it. But I did take the time to learn what I could about this little powerhouse.

You're right, people either love'em or hate'em...

One mechanic I talked to laughed at me (literally) when I told him I bought a '470'.

Of course, being who I am, that only made me more determined to keep it and get it running. But that didn't happen.

At the time I joined a forum called 'Breezeworks'. It is run by a guy down in Florida and is specifically dedicated to '470' owners (incl.: 485/488/165/3.7LX ect.) During that time I corresponded with a ton of people who love these engines and who were having great success with them.

If you decide to run this mill, Google 'Breezeworks' and join the forum. There's a 'whack' of people with good advise there who are more than willing to help addressing known issues with this engine ie.: alternator-conversion/water-pump cam shaft seal(s) replacement/ignition upgrade/performance upgrades etc.

Here's a good link that walks you through the cam-shaft seal replacement should you ever need to do it. (hopefully it posts ok...)

http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470coolantleakrepair.html

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Cheers,
Terry

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

Here is a possibility......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/One-...tegoryZ50442QQihZ011QQitemZ320126602383QQrdZ1​

 

[The Dutchman]

Re: Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

Well guys, updates. I have s/n for you. The hull # GALTA240M82A and the engine # 6004154 and the drive is 5979104. We got the engine to turn with the splugs out with a battery and now were going to test compression. When attempting to start the engine turns over slower than normal. The outdrive is still attached. Could this be a sign of a bad starter? Ive found engines around and im now looking at paying about 2k to have the old one taken out and the new one put in. The old engine I can do with what I wish. I was considering parting out before I purchased the new one to help cover cost. AS far as the #'s i know nothing of the boat hull. Is there a place to run those numbers and find out the make of the hull? thanks for your help guys. Much appreciated.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

Your Hull ID tells me your boat is a Galaxy (GAL), Serial #TA240M, Manufactured in January of 1982, just up the road in Columbia, SC. If you can get your engine replaced with a new one for 2K you should jump on it...

 

[The Dutchman]

Re: Reccomendations for a new comer. Don S?

The engine wont be new, it will be used but will start up and run