Rookie looking for advice

[Threest20]

Hello all, i am new to the boating world and here but have 20+ years of exp in the automotive world so the physical working on the engine is no problem but my questions are as follows. I bought a 1988 sportcraft 210 fisherman for a pretty resonable price, knowing that the engine didnt run. After educating myself some, i determined it to be a 3.7 mercruiser with an alpha drive. The drive needs bellows and i want to replace the impellar in it as well, is that hard to do? and the engine, is that a reliable engine that is worth putting some money into to get running again? i think its a mercruiser aluminum motor with a ford 429 head on it. there are so many different numbers and models (470, 165, 170, 3.7, 3.7lx) i havent a clue how to identify it correctly. Any advice is appriciated! Thank you All! sorry for spelling too!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Rookie looking for advice

and the engine, is that a reliable engine that is worth putting some money into to get running again? i think its a mercruiser aluminum motor with a ford 429 head on it. there are so many different numbers and models (470, 165, 170, 3.7, 3.7lx) i havent a clue how to identify it correctly. Any advice is appriciated!

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,....

I hate to be the bearer of Bad news, but do a search in this forum for the infamous 470,...
It's the red-headed bastard step-child that Mercruiser is still trying to Forget....

 

[Don S]

Re: Rookie looking for advice

The 470 is probably the most controversial Mercruiser engine out there. Some of it's owners swear by them, most swear at them.
Here is one persons view of his from yesterday http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=500547
To ID your particular engine, get the Mercruiser serial number off the tag located on the port aft portion of the block. See picture below.

 

[dn010]

Re: Rookie looking for advice

I have a 470 in my boat... Do I love it? - it's and alright motor, I do think it is reliable (after installing updates to fix notorious faults). I fixed all the "notorious" issues (except the alternator conversion) and haven't had a problem with the engine at all. I do however, keep a spare 165 6cyl on hand just in case my fateful day with the 470 comes... I think the 470 is powerful for what it is, but I also think there are better engines out there to spend your money on. Should you spend your money on it? - Totally up to you, you might benefit greater by parting it out or selling it complete and getting a different engine instead of spending money getting it running and then spending money updating it... At the same time, different engines may require different drive, etc $$$....

 

[Threest20]

Re: Rookie looking for advice

Ok thank you all for the advice! one last question and that'll be it, what would be the best choice to replace the engine and drive with? thanks again!

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Rookie looking for advice

Hey before you yank er out, the reason it's not running might be an easy fix. How's compression numbers?

They are good on gas, good torque, and light compared to similar iron blocks. and are fresh water cooled as opposed to having seawater running thru the block.

They can have issues with the factory charging system which is a stator/magnets and copper windings behind the front (balancer). The factory voltage regulator is known for crapping out and it's quite costly to replace. There are good aftermarket belt driven alternator kits to fix that or homemade brackets will do.

They aslo have a engine circulating pump driven from the front of the camshaft which uses 2-seals that keep the coolant and oil separate. These seals can wear a groove in the cam and need to be repaired. If that happens there's a weep hole that will drip coolant at the front cover letting you know.
Here's the skinny:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=53074&page=1

I've done both repairs to mine. Other than that it's been a good engine for me for the 10 or so years I've owned it.

There's no bolt in replacement. The front mount is different and you would need to fab up something and possible glass work.

The Alpha One's a good drive here's a chart with different engine/drive ratios. You can compare what uses what, or you'll have to get the right drive ratio if you swap.