Twin MCM 470's information needed

G

gmerrill

Cadet
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
6
I just inherited a 1983 Regal 277XL with twin MCM 470s. When the boat was last used in 1995, it ran great. Now one motor is froze up that so I have been told, not sure about the other yet. Going to hook up a battery this weekend, pull the plugs and see if either one will spin. I have my doubts. I plan to put the marvel oil to the cylinders and let it sit until spring and see what happens.

I have found some good information here and am looking for any advice, tips etc. The motors are 4 cyl 170 HP and have serial numbers of 6824793 and 6831262. I have been able to identify them on the Mercrusier web site. I do not know what the outdrives are, I am guessing Type 1 their serial numbers are 6761256 and 6761045. The transoms "bell housing?" numbers are 6827530 and 6827529.

I need to do a restoration of the interior of the cabin and the cockpit covering is gone. The hull, all fiberglass etc. is good and sound. All the teak is solid, but in need of cleaning. I hope I did not just get a money pit!

I figure to start with the engines and see what shape they are in and work it from there.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Gerry
 
D

dubs283

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
5,339
Re: Twin MCM 470's information needed

depends on how much money you want to spend and if you like big projects

if you want to go boating, sell this one and buy a good running, newer boat

if you want the project and have tons o cash, ditch the 470's and go with twin 4.3 liters

if you want the project and have little cash, bare bones is fix what needs to be engine/drive wise, worry about the cosmetic stuff last

sitting for 16 years i can say right now you NEED minimum, batteries, clean the fuel system, FULL tune-ups, filters, bellows, water pumps, pressure test the drives, oil/filter change, etc...

be prepared to work a lot on this one, if you are married your spouse will become a "boat widow" guaranteed
 
G

gmerrill

Cadet
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
6
Re: Twin MCM 470's information needed

Thank you for the information.

Not a ton of money to put into this, so bare bones is where I'll start. The manuals are a great start. I hope I can at least get the engines to spin.

As for the "boat widow" part, lets not say that out loud just yet.
 
S

stonyloam

Vice Admiral
Joined
Mar 13, 2009
Messages
5,827
Re: Twin MCM 470's information needed

First off ALL boats are money pits LOL. If you can free up the 470's and get them running, that would be the least expensive. Anyway, lots of help here. Good luck.
 
L

Lyle29464

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 10, 2009
Messages
1,261
Re: Twin MCM 470's information needed

1. I would check the hull from a to z first.
2. Avoid the starter at first. put oil in cylinders and work engines back and forth slowly to free up.
3.Time & Money put in the project can only be recovered with use. Be ready to drop the project.
 
F

fmalott

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
561
Re: Twin MCM 470's information needed

gmerrill said:
I just inherited a 1983 Regal 277XL with twin MCM 470s. When the boat was last used in 1995, it ran great. Now one motor is froze up that so I have been told, not sure about the other yet. Going to hook up a battery this weekend, pull the plugs and see if either one will spin. I have my doubts. I plan to put the marvel oil to the cylinders and let it sit until spring and see what happens.

I have found some good information here and am looking for any advice, tips etc. The motors are 4 cyl 170 HP and have serial numbers of 6824793 and 6831262. I have been able to identify them on the Mercrusier web site. I do not know what the outdrives are, I am guessing Type 1 their serial numbers are 6761256 and 6761045. The transoms "bell housing?" numbers are 6827530 and 6827529.

I need to do a restoration of the interior of the cabin and the cockpit covering is gone. The hull, all fiberglass etc. is good and sound. All the teak is solid, but in need of cleaning. I hope I did not just get a money pit!

I figure to start with the engines and see what shape they are in and work it from there.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Gerry
Click to expand...

you will have the I-R outdrives the 470 used them in 83,84
 
G

gmerrill

Cadet
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
6
Re: Twin MCM 470's information needed

Update.
Thanks everyone for the advice and information. I pulled the plugs and put the Marvel Mystery Oil to the cylinders. All plugs looked good, one did have some rust on it, but all appear to have had normal use. The system still has anti-freeze in them and both engines were full of oil. I did do any more as it was -7 here. I covered it for the winter and will start fresh this spring. I am using this time to study the variuos manuals and learning what I can from here.

This is set up for three batteries. Does all three need to be in place for the electrical system to work? I did hook one battery up, but nothing. Of course, it could be the wiring is bad from sitting so long.
 
D

dubs283

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 27, 2005
Messages
5,339
Re: Twin MCM 470's information needed

twin engine set-ups usally use three batteries, one for each engine and one for house

one engine will operate with one battery and switch, the other will operate with the other two batteries and switch

there is usually parallel or emergency start solenoid in case of dead battery situations

could be the 16(+) year old battery was the reason nothing happened
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top