470 mercruiser antifreeze leak

[dlholstine]

I have a 1980 470 mercruiser just bought. My first boat. Thought I was supposed to drain the system for the winter. Found out I was wrong. So I started refilling it with antifreeze now it's leaking from the weep hole. And it wasn't before I tried to winterize it. Saw the painstaking and costly way to fix. But why would it start leaking after I drained it

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

It was probably leaking before and it just wasn't noticed.


You sure it isn't some spilled AF?

 

[dlholstine]

Thank you. Nothing spilled it's coming from the weep hole. Hoping this spring I'll be able to just replace a gasket. If it don't freeze up this winter. Maybe it was leaking before but I never had to add antifreeze. Like I do now. Old boat it's a 1980 success.

 

[mr 88]

Where did you see the "costly" way to fix it. If you search it on here I think you will find its a relatively cheap and easy fix. Stony Loam will no doubt chime in and walk you through the process. He is good at that !

 

[stonyloam]

Who me? LOL! OK first off read this: http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470coolantleakrepair.html Second, forget about all the expensive tools and messing with the front motor mount (probably will not have too). You can remove the rotor from the crankshaft with a puller borrowed (free) from Autozone, and make an installer from some threaded rod (1/2 inch fine thread) and some stacked washers (can explaine how when you get there). You will need 2 cam seals, 1 crankshaft oil seal, a front cover gasket set, some Permitex (NAPA) aviation sealant and a Speedi Sleeve, maybe some gasket material if you rip the pan gasket (pretty easy fix). You will want to use a good torque wrench so you do not over tighten the aluminum covers. Bunch of folks have done it here, so lots of help when you need it.

 

[stonyloam]

Here is the parts diagram: https://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...sc=FRONT+COVER This is fron a newer engine, so you probably have a bolt holding on the impeller (12). I THINK that is a regular right hand thread bolt loktited in. I would go with OEM seals, the aftermarket gaskets are OK. GOOD LUCK. Welcome to the 470 Club!

 

[dlholstine]

Thanks everyone for the input. Being a new boat owner is nerve racking lol just hope me being dumb didn't cause all this

 

[dlholstine]

Is there any free online manuals for this motor or for my boat? I can't find anything about my boat ( 80 success )

 

[dannys2004glastron175mx]

Is there any free online manuals for this motor or for my boat? I can't find anything about my boat ( 80 success )

try here http://www.boatinfo.no/lib/library.html#

 

[stonyloam]

http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html I think Mercruiser manual #3 is for your " early" 470, but manual. #8 has the procedures too (it is for the "late" post 83 engine but except for the exhaust and maybe the starter is pretty much the same). I think #6 covers your Alpha I outdrive.