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Author Topic: Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O  (Read 671 times)

July 24, 2019, 10:05:01 AM
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Dressmeister

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Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O
« on: July 24, 2019, 10:05:01 AM »
Greetings. This is my first post to CAS, although I'm not really a member, yet...

If you had to guess, would you guess that a 1980 FF I/O has the Merc 470 in it?

I'm driving up to look at and potentially buy this boat this weekend. From what I've read, there's a lot to do before I would even put the water muffs on and attempt to start it.

The engine supposedly ran two years ago and has been sitting since. I've researched a little on the 470 and people are split into two camps:

1) Horrible engine. Run, run away.
2) They're OK if you watch for the usual problems.

I'm pretty psyched about this boat, but I need to be emotionally prepared for what I may be getting into. It would be my first I/O.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Great forums.

Dress

July 25, 2019, 11:19:24 AM
Reply #1

GoneFission

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Re: Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O
« Reply #1 on: July 25, 2019, 11:19:24 AM »
You don't say what size FF this is.  A 470 on a 196FF would be a nice fit, but might not be enough on a 222FF, and would likely be underpowered on a 246FF. 

The 470 is a marine-based 4 cylinder pushrod engine with a 3.7 liter Mercury-cast alloy block and a cast iron Ford head.  They are good torque engines and have proven pretty reliable if you don't rev them too high.  The common issues with 470s include the water pump - it's cam-driven and the pump's seals tend to develop leaks over time.  A seal leak can allow the coolant to contaminate the engine oil and the resulting repair can be costly.  Keep an eye on the seal and replace it before it leaks!  Problems with the alternator overheating and eventually burning out are also common, and replacing the original alternator with a more reliable model used on other Mercury sterndrive engines is often done. 

Don't run the 470 over 4200-4400 RPM and you should be OK.  Although some books say you can run it up to 4800, you don't get any power increase and there is a chance of a broken piston - I've seen that more than once.  BTW - you can change a broken piston on a 470 without removing the engine from the boat!  (don't ask how I know that)  Most folks run them about 4000 RPM max with good results.  These are large-displacement torque-y engines, not high RPM screamers.   




Cap'n John
1980 22-2 CCP
Mercury 200 Optimax 
ASPA0345M80I
"Gone Fission"
ClassicAquasport Member #209


July 25, 2019, 03:15:40 PM
Reply #2

Dressmeister

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Re: Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O
« Reply #2 on: July 25, 2019, 03:15:40 PM »
Thanks, GoneFission.

My office is about 50 paces down the hall from a little TRIGA reactor. I appreciate your screen name.

Back to the point, I'm looking at a 222. The use will be primarily on Lake Mendota, a small 9,700 acre inland lake. Occasionally putting around the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior. I'm not terribly concerned about the lack of power.

Is there an easy way to identify the upgraded alternator? Based on the condition of this boat, I would guess the previous owners did EVERYTHING their mechanic recommended.

I'll almost certainly be bringing it home on Sunday afternoon. Photos forthcoming. Thanks!

July 25, 2019, 04:45:00 PM
Reply #3

GoneFission

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Re: Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O
« Reply #3 on: July 25, 2019, 04:45:00 PM »
The upgraded alternator is easy to check - the original used a stator and coil setup connected to the flywheel.  So if you see an external alternator (like cars and modern boats have), it's been updated.  If you don't see an external alternator it is probably the original setup. 

Here's an example of the conversion kit:  https://www.ebay.com/itm/170-3-7LITRE-MERCRUISER-ALTERNATOR-CONV-KIT-165-170-180-190-470-488-NON-P-S/163074602680?hash=item25f800f6b8:g:Uq4AAOSwwbdWHm68 

Good luck!


Cap'n John
1980 22-2 CCP
Mercury 200 Optimax 
ASPA0345M80I
"Gone Fission"
ClassicAquasport Member #209


September 04, 2019, 03:11:16 PM
Reply #4

Dressmeister

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Re: Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O
« Reply #4 on: September 04, 2019, 03:11:16 PM »
Well I pulled the trigger.

It is in fact a 470 and it's already upgraded with one of the better (so I'm told) aftermarket alternator kits. Oil, coolant and everything else have all checked out A-OK.

New gas tank is in and I'm hoping to get it on the water this Saturday. I'll happily stay below the 4,000 rpm limit.

Thanks for the feedback and stay tuned.

Dress

September 04, 2019, 03:12:30 PM
Reply #5

Dressmeister

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Re: Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O
« Reply #5 on: September 04, 2019, 03:12:30 PM »
Interestingly though, it has a Mecruiser Alpha 1 Gen 1 stern drive on it.

From what research I did, the Alpha 1 didn't come out until 1982. So I suspect that the boat was repowered, to some degree, at some point.

October 18, 2019, 09:20:00 PM
Reply #6

AquaNewbie

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Re: Merc 470 (?) in 1980 FF I/O
« Reply #6 on: October 18, 2019, 09:20:00 PM »
I rebuilt a 470 several years ago for my father in law.  It was in a Sea Ray 19 footer with an Alpha drive.

Its a sweet engine.  Freshwater cooled which is a superior cooling design.

Winterizing those engines is really simple.

I bored the engine and put in new pistons, all new bearings, etc.

Its basically half of a Ford 460 big block engine.  Although Merc cast the engine block.

I used Ford 460 Parts for most of it.   I used a marine gasket set.

The engine ran great and the Sea Ray really scooted along.

Eventually my brother in law got the boat and trashed it in short order.  :-(

Personally I would look for one of those engines.   Just dont rev it hard.
Treat it like a big block.  That engine and an Alpha drive is a great combination!

It makes a ton of torque. 

The alternator issue is that the regulator is water cooled and not the best design, so the regulators fail after 10 years or so.
Replacements are a couple hundred dollars.   But a  standard alternator can be fit for not much $$.  So no biggie.

Dave


 

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