mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

dbass100

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Joined
Jul 10, 2008
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16
I've just purchased a boat with a mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder engine. I'm told it is a Ford engine, but I'm having trouble finding any info on it. It has a closed cooling system. Does anyone know more about this engine? What model? Parts avalibility etc. ? Would like to get a manual.
 

bomar76

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Jun 27, 2002
Messages
1,963
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

You are the proud new owner of the dreaded 470...it's not a Ford, but does use a 460 head. It was a proprietary Mercuruiser engine, and not one of their brightest ideas.
Seach the forum for 470 and you will learn all about it.
 

newbster

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Aug 30, 2007
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100
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

Search will help as there are a ton of threads.

There are some here who will trash the motor out of hand and others will tell you it has its issues but they are known by now and are reasonably easy to work around and look out for.

In earlier models the heat exchanger was 3". These tended to run hot and any overheat in a 470 is bad news due to the aluminum block and iron head causing a leak. Mid model on they had 4" heat exchangers which are well regarded.

They also came with an outboard style stator and raw water cooled voltage regulator. This system was prone to failure and expensive to repair. If it has not already been done, you can easily upgrade to an alternator for 100-500 bucks depending on the kit.

They also had a tendency to leak water out of a cam seal in high time motors but there is a 20 buck speedy sleave fix that resolves that.

On the plus side, they have a great power to weight ratio and have a lot of torque and are known for good mileage. They are also about 300 lbs lighter than their modern replacements, the 4.3.

In summation, if you are mechanically competent they have some significant upsides. If I'm missing something, I'm sure others will chime in.
 

bomar76

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Jun 27, 2002
Messages
1,963
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

You missed mentioning the insanely ponderous method of adjusting valve lash by using pushrods of differing lengths and the great difficulty in installing the cylinder head correctly by most anyone that is not truely experienced with the peculularities of it.
 

newbster

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Aug 30, 2007
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100
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

So you are saying it can be a bit particular when rebuilding. How often do you rebuild your motors?
 

dbass100

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Jul 10, 2008
Messages
16
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

This boat has had the alternator kit upgrade done already. How do you tell what the size of the heat exchanger is and is it an easy upgrade?

Thanks, Dean
 

newbster

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
100
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

pretty straight forward... measuring tape across the heat exchanger pipe... 4 inches is what you want. Its the big tube on the port side about 1/3 up.
 

CadillacMan

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Jun 4, 2008
Messages
14
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

I have this same engine in a 1988 Celebrity. Aside of the fact of dealing with som eoverheating issues. It has been a pretty good set of engines. They do get hot tho. Im still dealing with an overheat issue on the port engine.
I wish you luck. I got my Tech Manual online. I search 1986-1994 Mercruiser Tech Manual.
I believe its a 3.7 Liter Chrysler LX. My mechanic told me they used a block of a Ford 460. Which i didnt understand at first.
I will say that manual and this website have come in very handy.
 
Last edited:

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,093
Re: mercruiser 165 hp 4 cylinder

The Alum block is Mercruiser`s own. NO relation to any known car type engine.
460 head, pistons
rods and bearings i think are 351 ford items.
 
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