Need information on MERCRUISER! HELP
Tnt mnd
a boat that we are very interested in. Though I have grown up with boats in my
life, I am not very familuar with motors and their reputation. This boat is a
19' Sportscraft cuddy cabin that sleeps two. It and the trailer are in
excellent shape. The motor from what we know is a 3.7 Mercruiser and something
is wrong with the float. We had a friend check out the boat and said that
this motor was not a Chevy or a Ford motor and that this motor was made by
Mercury and they have since discontinued it because of major and expensive
problems. Now, being it is a 4 cycl I was wondering what kind of power it has?
The man who is selling it tells us that he has never had a problem getting a
skier out of the water, but I am getting so many neg input on this motor and
really doubting it now. Can anyone tell me their opinion? Please email me or
post here. Your response will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!!!!!!
Heidi
Nick
manufacturer) are about the largest manufacturer of stern drives. They
also have a web site (www.mercury-marine.com if memory serves) where you
may be able to find info on that particular engine. For info, the
current 3.0L engines are around 130HP whilst the 4.3L engines are around
160HP so I'd guess with a slightly older 3.7L you are looking at 140HP.
This should get a 17' bowrider to around 45-50mph but a 19' cuddy would
be heavier so a guess of around 35mph? Should pull a skier, but not
definitely a mono.
A float problem isn't serious, I suggest you ask on rec.boats as there
are plenty of mechanics on there. Better still, go to your nearest
boatyard, as you will become a customer of theirs for spares anyway, and
pay for one of their mechanics to come and look at it for you.
If you aren't sure, don't do it...
HTH, Nick
In article <20010105221242...@ng-fc1.aol.com>, Tnt mnd
<tnt...@aol.com> writes
--
Nick Smeltzer
ni...@greenhse.demon.co.uk (home)
nsme...@groundwork.org.uk (work)
Nick
http://www.mercurymarine.com
there is also: http://www.oldmercs.com
hth, Nick
In article <E66DEWAf...@greenhse.demon.co.uk>, Nick
<Ni...@greenhse.demon.co.uk> writes
Jim Thompson
old boat used 2 years ago, and I was in exactly the same position you are
with respect to knowledge about boats and those engines in particular. I am
not a mechanic. Here's what I've learned.
They were good engines, but my guess for why Merc discontinued them in 1989
is that they were no longer fit the niche between low power (served by
smaller outboards) and high power (I/O or inboard) markets. They produce
about 165-190 hp because there were different models. Lots of us are still
using them, and there still are aftermarket parts around. Like all marine
engines they need tender loving care. I haven't proven that they have a
history of "major and expensive problems". In fact I trolled the newsgroups
and forums to see if they did, and got no such replies. The main problem is
that they were discontinued 11 years ago, which could make replacement parts
harder to get in future years.
Be especially suspicious of that boat's exhaust riser and manifolds. It's
worth taking them off and physically looking at their insides before buying
the boat. I did it after and with relief found they needed replacement but
were not leaking. If they are corroded to the point of leaking seawater
into the cylinders, then don't buy. And check the compression on all four
cylinders. It should be about 140-150, and all 4 cylinders should be within
15% of each other.
Best forum for engine questions:
http://www.yachtingnet.com/community/forums/engines.html
Here are notes I scrolled off various websites/newsgroups about the 3.7
Merc:
One site says, "The old 470 has stood the test of time with thousands of
very satisfied owners who have been disappointed at the prospect of having
to carry out major modifications to their boats in an effort to repower."
and inlcudes these sets of numbers: 470/485/488 and
165/170/180/190/3.7L/3.7LX .
Another says, "1983 to 1989 MerCruiser 224 CID (cubic inch) Models: 470,
488, 165/3.7L,170, 180/3.7LX, 185, & 190I/L 4".
About the 3.7LX, which isn't manufactured any more: "GMs introduction of the
4.3L (about 260 CID) killed it dead. The 4.3L is a better designed engine,
more reliable (as in damned near bullet proof) and equal or better in power.
You could go out and find a good used 3.7, but I' first consider shoehorning
a 4.3L in there if you can. You won't be sorry."
History of Mercruiser Marine: http://www.outboardsales.com/history.htm
(mostly outboards).
1985 MerCruiser introduced the Alpha I sterndrive.
Mercury Marine website:
http://www.mercurymarine.com/ But it's pretty useless.
120 - 190 HP 1983-85 (includes the 470, 488, 898)
2.5 Liter (120 HP) 1986-89
3.0 Liter (125-140 HP) 1986 Thru Present
3.7 Liter, 224 CID (165-190 HP) 1986-89
4.3 Liter (155-180 HP) 1986 Thru Present
The 4.3 L engine is a V6 Chevy (or Ford?), 262 CID (cubic inches).
Is 3.7 Merc base engine same as 470?
Answer: Yup.
Serial numbers from
http://www.boote-schollerer.de/ersatzteile/mercruiser/merc-i1.htm
180/3.7lx (4bbl.) Mercury 224I/L41987-1989 6916779 and up
-----
Jim Thompson
ji...@jimthompson.net
Charlottetown, PEI, Canada.
Tnt mnd <tnt...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010105221242...@ng-fc1.aol.com...
Gary Price
The engine on the boat you are looking at almost certainly sounds like a
Mercruiser. The most common version is usually a 3.0 litre 4-cyl 130hp. This
3.7 liter will be about 170hp. The 4.3litre V6 engine seems to have replaced
it now.
If you have doubts about the engine get it checked over by soeone who knows,
spares and repairs are very expensive on most marine engines.
Mercuisers don't seem to have the best reputation for reliability, but this
may be more down to neglect and the large number of them about. Corrosion
seems to be the biggest problem with inboard engines.
Is it a private sale or trade?, if trade insist on a written warranty. Have
a look round else where before deciding, now is a good time to buy.
On a 19ft sportboat 170hp should be ample power, pulling a skier, wakeboard,
infatable or kneeboard will be no problem.
I have a Fletcher 160 Arrowsport with a 130hp Yamaha outboard. I would
strongly recommend both Fletcher and Yamaha.
Good luck
Gary
Tnt mnd wrote in message <20010105221242...@ng-fc1.aol.com>...