Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

[SDSeville]

Well, I am going to dig into my list of of stuff to do (below) right after Christmas. My question is, should I clean or replace my carb? I found this reman one on ebay for only $295 -- Marine Carburetor 4CYL Mercarb 1389 8489A5 MCM 170 470 | eBay It runs pretty well with the current carb. Would a reman carb be any better than a clean 27 year old carb?

1) Replace water pump seals and install speedi sleeves
2) Install Petronix ignition and coil
3) Replace plugs and wires
4) Clean Carb
5) Replace cooling and hydraulic hoses

Already taken care of impeller and fluids.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

I have heard that those are factory reject carburetors and are essentially junk. Now weather or that is true I do not know, just what I heard. For that kind of money you could probably have it professionally rebuilt, or you could buy a gallon of carb cleaner a OEM rebuild kit, an ultrasonic cleaner and a small compressor and do it yourself (my vote).

IMHO go with OEM seals, plug wires and hoses. Petronix Ignitor II (91146A) and Flamethrower II (45011 or 45111).

 

[thumpar]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

Why would you replace a carb. They rarely need to be replaced. Like Terry posted go with the Ignitor II setup.

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

Why would you replace a carb. They rarely need to be replaced. Like Terry posted go with the Ignitor II setup.

I really haven't had to spend much money to keep her running over the past couple years, so I just thought I would spend a little to stay ahead of problems. I will definitely go with the Ignitor II, Flamethrower II, plugs, wires, and hoses and go from there. I had the carb professionally rebuilt (albeit by a car shop with Sierra kit) a couple years ago. Hopefully all is still good.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

I really haven't had to spend much money to keep her running over the past couple years, so I just thought I would spend a little to stay ahead of problems.

Don't worry if you keep the boat long enough you will have plenty of opertunity to spend money LOL!

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

Those old carbs are rebuildable time after time. Last time I rebuilt the one on my 470, it used a carb kit for a 1968 Chevy 307 Impala engine.

The old cast iron base carbs just don't age. They just get a little gummy from non-use.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

yuh, I'd rebuild it too. There can be little differences between versions that make your rebuilt correct carb better than a new generic one. Plus it's a great learning experience. Get a carb book and rebuild kit, take your time and voila, functionally new!

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

SD,
I've done most of the work on my 470 my self and she runs like a top. But I am all thumbs when it comes to carburetor rebuilding. I sent mine off to National Carburetor Rebuilders and they sent it back clean as a whistle and adjusted to where all I had to do in bolt it on and hook-up the gas line, all for $150.00. Below is the link.

Two Barrel Mercuiser Marine Carburetors

Just my $0.02 worth.

Larry

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

SD,
I've done most of the work on my 470 my self and she runs like a top. But I am all thumbs when it comes to carburetor rebuilding. I sent mine off to National Carburetor Rebuilders and they sent it back clean as a whistle and adjusted to where all I had to do in bolt it on and hook-up the gas line, all for $150.00. Below is the link.

Two Barrel Mercuiser Marine Carburetors

Just my $0.02 worth.

Larry

Thanks Larry. Did that include parts? How long did it take?

 

[tazrig]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

Thanks Larry. Did that include parts? How long did it take?

I had 2 carbs professionally rebuilt a couple of years ago before I re-powered and it was $40 for the carb kit (be sure to get a marine kit as there is a difference) and $100 for the labor per carb. As stated above you can keep rebuilding the one you have.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: Merc 470 -- Clean carb again or replace

SD,
Sorry for the delay in answering. The $150.00 included everything except freight, as I recall it took about 2 weeks from the time I shipped my carb to them and when they returned it. Unless something has changed they rebuild your carb since they have no cores.

Larry