Choosing an engine to replace 3.7(Long)

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
11,802
Just make sure it is not as simple as an exhaust shutter in the Y pipe making a rattling/knocking noise, that drove me nuts till I found it...
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,304
Pull the drive and run it. It may be u-joint
 

alan ber

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2008
Messages
143
Interesting topic
I have a 1984 walk around , cuddy , Sea Ray Fisherman ,.
Eventually name changed too Laguna ,
Early Laguna had same body , small cuddies, IO
Eventually Laguna's went center consoles OB were they sit today

Owing 22 years
21 ft perfect size
Walk around plenty of fishing room
Original 488 pushed a 21 ft boat fine. - Alpha 1 Frugal on gas
Eventually engine was done , I was done putting bandages on this engine
Boat not worth very much , RE-power with what ???
Covered boat , purchased a 30 footer marina queen ,
Talking with a 80 year old gear head at a fishing club I belong too , He said I have a 3,7 sitting in my garage , was saving for a project but plans changed , Engine is LIKE NEW ,
Knowing this guy , trust him , , I jumped on it , DIRT CHEAP - WHAT A FIND

3.7 Mercruiser
Has a meter 17 hours
Electronic ignition
Wagner bracket with separate pulley ( marine alternator )
4 barrel Rochester Carb
self contained cooling
manifold & riser only 17 hours never in water , bench hours ,
Sitting on a pallet in my garage , start on occasion running water thru garden hose , PURRS so smooth ,
With all the negatives on the 4 cylinder Felt it was fastest / cheapest /easiest way too go too get boat back in water ,
I mentioned I own a 30 footer , cant compare boats , but a smaller easy trailer boat for fishing is so nice ,
Decided time has come too get old girl operating , since I had engine
Well I was in for a surprise , Removing old engine discovered transom fiberglass had movement , Stripped engine room and started too cut transom , Wood under the fiberglass falling apart in my fingers .
A lot of work , not sure if I want too do , Hate too take too dump ,
Have this engine sitting hate too sell and if I decide too fix boat then I am really screwed with no engine
 

PatinIdaho

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2014
Messages
405
Interesting topic
I have a 1984 walk around , cuddy , Sea Ray Fisherman ,.
Eventually name changed too Laguna ,
Early Laguna had same body , small cuddies, IO
Eventually Laguna's went center consoles OB were they sit today
The one im stripping for parts is solid. You can have it for free as soon as i get my parts! Bring a trailer.
 

PatinIdaho

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2014
Messages
405
Took the outdrive off and found this.
 

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PatinIdaho

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 7, 2014
Messages
405
So a few weeks ago i i started it up just to see if it would even run. Did not have the water hooked up knowing it would fry the impeller but its getting a new one so i did not care and being closed cooling i knew it would not overheat running for a minute or two at most. Motor ran great but was noisy as previously described.
Today i removed the outdrive and put water to it to run it for a while. Sure enough the rattly noise was gone(gimbal bearing)
Motor ran like crap! would not idle or run under about 1500 rpm and very rough little coughing out the carb. Could not even tell if it was making any funny noise as it would not run long enough to tell anything.
Wanted to investigate more but again it started raining :(
Don't know why im messing with it because i plan on rebuilding it anyway other then its kinda fun and waiting on fuel line parts for the boat its all going to.
 
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