Replace Mercruiser 488 with 470?

[unusualname]

Hi everyone,

I have '84 Cruisers 26" Vee Sport with twin original Mercruisers 488 and am considering repowering it. As the remanufactured 488s seem to be rare and command higher price, I wonder if I can drop in two 470s in the boat instead. Does anyone think there might be any issues with this approach? I hope it would be a simple drop in replacement - is this correct? Would there be any sterndrive implications? I realize the 470 is slightly less powerful - I think 188 hp vs. 170hp and am totally prepated to live with that as long as I can get the boat on plane.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Replace Mercruiser 488 with 470?

I think the blocks are the same so it is a bolt in deal. some one will correct me if I am wrong. It will be unlikely you will notice any difference. Perhaps 2 MPH

 

[fmalott]

Re: Replace Mercruiser 488 with 470?

yes it will i have asked this question before here is the answer i hope this helps
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...from my limited research materials, the basic block and major attachents were more-or-less the same from '76 to '89 whether the engine was called the 170/180/190/3.7/470/485/488.
Intakes were dependent on two or four barrel, shift bracket location was dependent upon year as well as the size of the heat exchanger.
So, to me appears that a long block is a long block regardless.
__________________
Eddie Petty
Courtland, Virginia
V-20 Wellcraft
3.7 470 Mercruiser

 

[unusualname]

Re: Replace Mercruiser 488 with 470?

Guys - thank you for the replies!

In the end I chickened out and ordered a remanufactured 488 to replace one of my engines for now. Very pricey unfortunately.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Replace Mercruiser 488 with 470?

From where?