1989 mercruiser

[paul2112]

Hello, looking at a used replacement motor for a project boat and found an '89 165 4 cyl mercruiser.. I was told that this motor was the same as a ford 460(bore stroke rod pistons), and was just a 460 cut in half by merc.(thought the 4cly were usually 145hp or so).. Anyone now about this or just a wild story.. I know in my other boat it has the 165 6cyl mercruiser, and its a chevy block...Thanks again

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

Howdy,

so you have a project and you're going to replace the engine (and drive maybe)

DO NOT BUY A "165 4cyl" or "470" engine....keep looking! Man we need a "sticky" on this!!

You'll be much happier with a 165 (I6) or a V-8 etc...


Cheers,


Rick

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

Hello, looking at a used replacement motor for a project boat and found an '89 165 4 cyl mercruiser.. I was told that this motor was the same as a ford 460(bore stroke rod pistons), and was just a 460 cut in half by merc.(thought the 4cly were usually 145hp or so).. Anyone now about this or just a wild story.. I know in my other boat it has the 165 6cyl mercruiser, and its a chevy block...Thanks again

What was originally in the boat?....
It matters quite a bit....
If you are a newbie, stay away from the 470 & its various mutations....

 

[bomar76]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

Run away and keep looking.....search 470 on this forum....

 

[paul2112]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

looked for 470 but the search results came back 0 found...Thanks guys for the advice...Whats wrong with the 4cyl?

 

[bomar76]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

I forgot this forums search function is absolutly worthless...

Anyway, the 470 was a failed experiment that Merc abandoned after a few years.....bad engine design, poor charging system, prone to leak antifreeze into oil, originally inadequate cooling system....convoluted system to adjust valves, and it goes on and on.....

 

[ziggy]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

convoluted system to adjust valves

is that like valve adj. by push rod length? surly i didn't read that?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

They did make a pretty good "One-time" boat anchor didn't they?

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

yep, Aluminium block, open deck block design and a funny valve train, that yes the adjustment is Via color coded pushrods, couple that with no alignment pins on the head to block and it does funny things.
wont even go into the cooling or charging system.
you outta see what happens when an auto tech,they cant read service manuals appearently, replaces a head and fails to properly line up the head to the block or actually check the valve clearence after the automotive machineshop gets done with the head .

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1989 mercruiser

I hear the scrap price for aluminum is pretty good these days....

$0.55/lb

http://www.recycleinme.com/scrap_prices/scrap_metal_prices.aspx