1978 v20 cuddy Mercruiser 470.... Now what? aaah

[surchin]

Hi from Scott here in beautiful Southern California. I need some inspiration from you alls boats that are actually running! So far this year I've had to do coupler job which led to stringer box under engine repair, ignition / carb job, trailer bearings... Then made it out for some great fish surf dive trips here in Santa Barbara. Then in November overheat! Research , eBay auctions, new circulating pump, shaft sleeves, seals, gaskets, 4" heat exchanger, bad manifold riser need new one of them too, more eBay, Paint bildge while engine is on the floor of the boat shop for the last 3 months .... Ok everythings there been Savin money up for boat shop bill got it all together this week .... Mechanic gets it back in the boat turns the key all good until .... Oh no oil drip drip drip. Bad rear oil seals. 30 dollar part only you have to take engine out turn it over to get to it!!!

Aghh I can't hardly remember her running good. Someone tell me it's all worth it because our boats are so badass! Pulleaze!!!
:love:

[aussie]

well not much luck with your boat but now u have me worried im in the process of buying one with a 470:cry:

[brisboats]

The boats is afterall 33 years old. I/O's can get expensive as father time ticks. Bellows, u- joints , transom assemblies , couplers, manifolds, risers, shift cables, gimble bearings, and on and on are all wear items. If you are wrenching yourself it isn't all that big of a deal but if your paying for the wrench his kids will thank you when college time approaches.

Brian

[brisboats]

FWIW a smart mechanic will run the motor before installl. You blew the rear seal when you overheated, forseeable and it could have been caught. Might want to negotiate a bit on the repair.

Brian

[Destroyer]

FWIW a smart mechanic will run the motor before installl. You blew the rear seal when you overheated, forseeable and it could have been caught. Might want to negotiate a bit on the repair.

Brian

I gotta agree with Brisboats on this one. A good mechanic would have run/tested his work before install. He should have caught that rear leak. Renegotiate the price on the repair.

[Road King Cole]

While the engine is out (again), make sure the oil pan is solid. I had to replace mine last year just at the start of good fishing.

Once you get this last issue fixed, I promise that "you will not have any more problems for 2.7 years".

:hi:

Wish you luck and I hope you don't make me a liar.

rkc

[surchin]

well not much luck with your boat but now u have me worried im in the process of buying one with a 470:cry:

Aussie really think about if it's right for your situation expect to need parts and no longer available . Type in merceuiser 470 in eBay check all parts avail. Go to iboats check forum learn about the voltage reg / alternator problem and cooling problem on mine slt was done but I'm doing cooling with current repair. Have to pull engine for access. If stringer box is bad your coupler will go out have to pull engine for access and fiberglass repair.

With that said when it was running it was a powerful economical gph . I could do 40 mile round trip on 20 gallons. So whatever it just sucks when your down searching waiting for parts. Get a good kicker mounted and boat us tow ins. I had a 25 mile tow ( free).

Modern Outboard seems better if you have the upfront cash if not your going to be in my club. I paid 2 k for mine with a nice trailer put 4 k into it but due to hoa rules where I live I can't tear it apart in my driveway so I'm paying top dollar for mechanic but I trust him. Get purchase price way down so you are ahead.

I'll try to work em on price but we ran engine before starting cooling system
job no leak noticed there Just part of it being old motor. Makes you appreciate it when it's running.

Any old schooled 470 guys have any other areas to look for shile it's out again?
Thanks

[step up here]

it is so hard to diagnose any motor trouble without complete knowledge and experience of that motor.let alone someone else description.butt!!!! there is always an answer and reason. hope you get it resolved in a favorable manner. good luck. dont give up the ship.


:sun:

[surchin]

Got her done! Well after 5 months of constant work and delays from parts weather and schedules I picked my boat up and she runs and sounds great. I started with a bad cooling system which led to an overheat problem and ended with Used/New 4" heat exchanger exhaust manifold risers bellows outdrive reaseal, new battery's, terminals, ignition, plugs oil changed, fuel filter... I took her our yesterday for a cruise here in Santa Barbara. Sounds big and powerful. Now I can move onto next project. New Gauges upgrade bilge pumps and start researching and shopping for an enclosure. I'm so happy the motor wasn't terminal. Love this website it kept me pointed in right direction and researching all the threads taught me so much about this motor. I hope she is good for awhile cas I'm outta money! To compare to rest of your areas costs were 2400 labor and about 1000 parts Which I hustled finding and ordering, with gaskets and everything. HOA rules and lid schedules prevent me from doing job in my driveway. So I am my mechanics new best friend. Keep the 470's goin!

[bradford]

Glad to hear you got her goin' Good Job!:beer:

[cfelton]

Good ta hear you got her back right. Buy yourself a Clymer Mercruiser stern drive shop manual, look on ebay. If your handy you can do most repairs yourself and save a ton of money! Keep that Mercruiser 4banger strong!!
:clap: :sun:

[reelapeelin]

Note to self...don't move into neighborhood w/a HOA...LOL!!...:laugh:

[surchin]

Thanks boys, I have a Seloc manual and it does help me understand the systems and what the engine is supposed to be doing , but those 1970 smudgy black white pics don't really show you what's really going on in the motor although I now understand that, " if the motor is run without cooling water for 5 seconds ...." and as for living in my complex under HOA rules well the costs of a regular house here makes my mechanics bill small change, and I got a pool! But still sucks.

Good news I scored a hardtop off a "radoncraft 18" for 300 bucks. Need a little stainless reconfigured and it will be sweet addition. I'll figure out pics and post them up when I get everything together.