Merc 470 D.O.A.

This is my first boat. Its a 83 bayliner cobra. I picked it up as a non runner. Ive been a auto mechanic for 15 years so I thought what the heck. LOL The previous owner pulled and freshened the motor. new bearings, rings, gaskets. put it all back together and could'nt get it to run. So i've tore into this thing, it has 135-145 compression, has spark, new cap, rotor, points, condencer, coil. I poured gas in the carb, nothing. not even a pop. fuel in the plug holes, nothing! checked dist. location and its dead on #1. moved dist. all around, still nothing! the motor is a ccw rotation and the dist also turns ccw. is this correct? I know some came with chain and some came with gears. If anyone has any other ideas other than throwing a lit match at this thing, I'd greatly appreciate it.
Thanks!!!

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

from witch end of the motor are you viewing the rotation.left hand viewed from the flywheel.dist is clockwise. you sure you have the correct starter?

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

checked dist. location and its dead on #1

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So was it dead on at #1 TDC on the compression stroke, or the exhaust stroke. Makes a big difference.

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

That is NOT right, it should have a CLOCKWISE rotation on the distributor, suspect that it has the wrong starter. The engine should turn COUNTERCLOCKWISE when looked at from behind the flywheel. If you are looking at it from the front it will turn clockwise. You have a left hand rotation engine that Takes a clockwise rotation starter look at this: http://www.arcomarine.com/xhtml/tech determine marine starter rotation.pdf
I believe all 470's use a timing chain.

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

If it is indeed the starter, look on e-bay, you want a "mercruiser 470 starter", 12V, 9 tooth, CLOCKWISE rotation. Good luck.

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

thanks for the replies guys!! Im looking at the front of the engine, the crank damper end, and it rotates counter clockwise. so If I was looking at it from the rear of the boat it would b turning clockwise. didnt know that boat engines were looked at the opposite of car engines.

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

Thats because at one time we had counter-rotating engines for boats.most were GM ,Ford or Chrysler. These have since been retired and not used in newer boats because either the transmissions or outdrives were reverseable.From your description, you have the incorrect starter rotation.
On a true reverse rotation motor ,only the crankshaft turns reversed. everything else turns just like a normal engine.

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

barr75a said:

Im looking at the front of the engine, the crank damper end, and it rotates counter clockwise. so If I was looking at it from the rear of the boat it would b turning clockwise. didnt know that boat engines were looked at the opposite of car engines.

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Doesn't matter which end you look at, your engine is cranking the wrong direction. You have the wrong starter.

The 470 never had a counter rotating engine.

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

thanks so much!!! like I said first boat, I have alot to learn. suprised the engine made good compression turning backwards. never tried it before. guess im ordering correct starter and hear this baby run! Glad I found you guys.

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

I must be getting old, a car mechanic for 15 years and probably never seen a set of points LOL. One thing before you put it in the water you will want to change the impeller in the outdrive. With its aluminum block and iron head it is very sensitive to overheating, so you want to keep plenty of water flowing through that heat exchanger. The manuals for youe engine and outdrive are here: http://boatinfo.no/lib/library.html You want Mercruiser manual #3 0r #8 for the engine (depending on the year), and #6 for your outdrive. Good luck and welcome to the "470 Club".:facepalm:

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

Ok. Sounds good, ill check that out. The previous owner upgraded to the 4" exchanger when he had the motor out. Yea, have to admit, have delt with very few points in my day. I have a habit of throwing them away for electronic upgrade thats whats going to happen with this boat once i get everything else is sorted out. Lol

Re: Merc 470 D.O.A.

I have the Petronix 91146A with the flamethrower II coil (45011 oil, or 45111 epoxy), works fine. If it originally had the 3" exchanger, Manual #3 is the one you want.