sstroudwku
Cadet
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2015
- Messages
- 7
I've lurked these forums for some time. I've seen/read all the pros and cons to the 470. Yet I love this little engine anyway. I love it more because it's a troublesome guy much like I was in my younger years and I appreciate the spirit it has. I've only had it about a year, it's mounted in a sporty little 1980 Formula Thunderbird 16'9" closed bow. The previous owner loved the boat as well. He took great care in maintaining the engine. It's still the original gloss black on the and looks fantastic. Unfortunately this year when I pulled him out of storage and fired it up, I have the infamous cam seal leak. DUN DUN DUNNNNNNNNNN. Now I am quite mechanically incline. By trade I'm a Nissan/ASE master technician. So you can see I'm no afraid of a good challenge. That being said I decided the ole fella deserves a good overhaul. Plans are to remove the engine and do a pan up refresh. Bearings, Rings, seals, plan on weight matching the rods, having the crank balanced. It's already been converted to an alternator, and the 4" heat exchanger. Still has the points ignition though which will have to go. My questions to you fellow 470 owners, and guys who have especially serviced, rebuilt, upgraded theirs is this. I need a good source for rebuild parts, bearings, seals, redi-sleeves, ect. Suggestions on electronic ignition upgrades I've heard pros and cons about the pertronix kit, are their other options available? I've seen several guys convert to roller rocker, if you have where did you source the rockers and push rods? I know each rod will need to be measured individually and if I recall reading correctly a spacer needs to be installed between the head and rocker cover. I also plan to convert it to an electronic fuel pump and possible mock a TBI setup or convert to the 490 4bbl. I have a PDF copy of the original Merc manual and plan to print and bind it so I have a good source for rebuild instructions.
I know many of these questions have been asked, I have searched the forums a good bit and to be quite honest I find that every thread is met with the same statements "RUN AWAY, TOO EXPENSIVE, NOT RELIABLE". I do understand the issues that go along with this engine, but I enjoy it, I'm not afraid to put money into it. If I wanted a new boat I'd go out and buy one, but I prefer to breathing new life into older things that have memories built around them. When I'm cruising across the lake I drift off and imagine the first time this boat was in the water, what it's first owner was thinking listening to the engine purring behind him.
Thanks for the time fellas. If you have any car questions I'll be glad to help.
I know many of these questions have been asked, I have searched the forums a good bit and to be quite honest I find that every thread is met with the same statements "RUN AWAY, TOO EXPENSIVE, NOT RELIABLE". I do understand the issues that go along with this engine, but I enjoy it, I'm not afraid to put money into it. If I wanted a new boat I'd go out and buy one, but I prefer to breathing new life into older things that have memories built around them. When I'm cruising across the lake I drift off and imagine the first time this boat was in the water, what it's first owner was thinking listening to the engine purring behind him.
Thanks for the time fellas. If you have any car questions I'll be glad to help.