Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

[Hoolydan]

Hi all. Put a bid and a small down payment on a 1988 Stingray 198 SVB Super Sport with the 3.7 litre Merc 4 banger. The boat is very beautiful and very well cared for...at least cosmetically I know for sure. I took it out for a water trial and at one point pulled the dipstick to find very milky oil...water in oil I know. The broker has since done two oil changes and tell me everything is ok now. I'm not convinced. I will be taking it out for another trial and will spend ample time with it I hope. Can anyone tell me if I'm crazy to follow through with this purchase, pros and cons of the 3.7-4 cylinder Merc, or anything else I should be aware of? I love the boat but don't want to get screwed on this thing. I have read some things through google and the reviews of this motor are mixed at best. Once I take it out for the second trial I guess I'll know more myself but would love to be more informed before I talk to them next. The boat is in the Ozarks and I live in Omaha. Will be going down again on the 8th of October to test again and possibly buy. Thanks to anyone with help!!! Dan

 

[45Auto]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

See this thread about the 3.7L Merc motors.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=434482

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

I own a 3.7 Merc (470) and it is my opinion that unless you are mechanically skilled, and would feel comfortable doing work such as pulling the head to replace a head gasket, it is best to stay away from a 470. Of course that could be said for any 20+ year old powerplant. It is unlikely that a properly cared for 470 would have a cracked block, however they are prone to head gasket problems. If you decide to proceed, ask them to do a compression check and a cooling system pressure check. If you take it for a test ride, keep a close eye on the temperature gauge, making sure it is not running hot. Also while running (idle is OK), open the hatch and take a look at the lower port side of the engine water pump. Make sure there is no water leaking out of the little weep hole there. If you can do your own maintenance and repairs they are not bad, but if you have to pay someone they can get expensive. Good luck.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

I have read some things through google and the reviews of this motor are mixed at best.

You're right about the mixed reviews. Some love them, most hate them. In fact, I suspect the "mix" is about 10/90 - 10% love.... 90% hate.

The boat is in the Ozarks and I live in Omaha.

I am absolutely sure that there are better boats there in the Ozarks. If you are traveling down that far, all the more reason to stay away from that boat.

 

[Hoolydan]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

Thanks to all who have replied so far. I think you gave me my answer as to what to do. While I am mechanically inclined, I simply don't want to have to deal with something that needs constant babysitting. So far other than one reply which said "not bad", the concensus seems to not like this motor. Too bad seeing as it was a commonly used power plant for years. Is there anyone who actually likes and trusts this one???? Curious! Thanks again!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

hi neighbor....

here's a link ya may wanna check out too...

http://www.sterndrives.com/470information/470coolantleakrepair.html

note the bottom paragraph about known issues.....

when i was buying. i had two easy rules to start with.
1 was no omc
2 was no mercruiser 470 version engines.
if a boat had either/or, i was done looking at that boat. no matter how nice it was...

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

I am believe it or not one of the 10% Actually they are pretty reliable, mine is an 87, and have replaced the head gasket once, and the cam seals once and done the alternator conversion. That is it for "major" work. All of which I did myself. The point is, if you can do your own work they are not bad, reliable, lightweight, powerful, easy on gas and a snap to winterize (never a cracked block). If you have to take it to the shop however, it can get WAY expensive.

 

[Hoolydan]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

Thanks Stony but as I said...not wanting to buy something to immediately start working on. The bad seems to be winning out on the good on this one...for me at least. Ziggy and the rest of the responders?...I think I'm gonna go with you all on this one. That being said, what are some of your reccommendations for a boat and motor setup then? I'm a seasoned boat driver...always friends boats, but have never owned one myself and am looking to do so. I have been looking for some time and am learning more with each experience. Would love a 19-20ft open bow runabout. Thoughts???

 

[nola mike]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

Thanks to all who have replied so far. I think you gave me my answer as to what to do. While I am mechanically inclined, I simply don't want to have to deal with something that needs constant babysitting. So far other than one reply which said "not bad", the concensus seems to not like this motor. Too bad seeing as it was a commonly used power plant for years. Is there anyone who actually likes and trusts this one???? Curious! Thanks again!

consensus is more often "great motor when it's working". any 20+ year old setup is going to have problems. in 2 hard seasons with many hundreds of miles, i have had plenty of probs--none of which were 470-specific. maintanance is no worse than any other stern drive. all else being equal, i'd rather a 4.3l. but i got mine for about 25% less than i would have paid for a a comparable 4.3, and i think that was a worthwhile tradeoff. i think that after a certain point, the care/maintenance of the engine becomes a far more important factor than what the engine is. that being said, i wouldn't touch a boat that far away that had a potentially serious problem, unless you got a warranty (hah!) or had some REAL assurance that the problem was diagnosed and corrected--and i wouldn't believe the seller on that one.

and i don't know if it's even 10% on this forum. i think me 'n terry are the only 470 fanboys

 

[guyaverage]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

There are too many nice boats out there with rock-solid Chevy 3.0/4.3/5.0/5.7's in them to be messing with a 470 that has problems right off the bat. The oil is milky? I dont care how many times they change it to hide the real problem (head gasket and/or cracked/warped block and/or head) I would run.

Take it from someone who owns one, I have had many hours of good service out of mine, and many hours of not so good service. A lot of it is merely because its an older boat. Some of it is because the 470 has known flaws, some easy to overcome (charging system, water pump seals, etc) and some arent.

Unless you really like this boat and have an extra $1500-$2000 to properly rebuild this engine, and are committed to watching the temperature gauge to avoid a 470-killing overheat in the future, walk away from this boat.

Just to answer your last question, do I like this motor? Yes, there are many things about it I really like. Its torquey, it barely sips fuel, it sounds great, and its very easy to work on. Do I trust it? None. Not even a little. It has never stranded me on the water, but it has stranded me at home and cancelled outings before I even left, many, many, many times.

 

[Hoolydan]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

You guys all rock! I'm glad I signed up on this Forum! Very helpful all of you! Looking forward to more replies but heading to work now so will check in a little later when by a computer. Thanks again and keep me posted!

 

[ziggy]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

That being said, what are some of your reccommendations for a boat and motor setup then?

any boat that's well cared for. condition condition condition on the boat. brand on old boats is not real relevent... for the engine/drive. anything that's common.

chevy v6, v8, L4, L6. mercruiser or vp drive... all common... though the L6 is out of production. too bad too. mighty good engine. maybe one of the best ever suited to a boat the way i read about it... i've found it suited to at least the last two boats i've had...

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

I have a 3.7 for about 10-years now, gone thru the same repairs as Terry. Am also in the same minority.

But it has been a good reliable engine for me as well. That being said, as mentioned above, a 4.3, or any small/big block chevy engine (fresh water cooled) with a merc drive would be what I would be looking for.

I would rather go out in a 3.7 boat owned by a mechanic, than a SBC powered boat owned by someone who only knows how to turn the key.

When you are talking about a salt water cooled engine that might be 20-years old, that can't be good either.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

Several bad boat outings and a thousand bucks in repairs will end a lifetime of great boating fun.

One bad outing and most females bail.


Get a newer boat.

 

[stonyloam]

Re: Thinking of buying 3.7Merc Stingray...HELP!

I have been looking for some time and am learning more with each experience. Would love a 19-20ft open bow runabout. Thoughts???

For a first boat that size, I think a 4.3 V6 is ideal. The newer the better. Remember an improperly winterized 2 year old boat can have a cracked block. It is a good idea to hire a professional boat surveyor to thoroughly evaluate your new boat (motor outdrive and hull) before you fork out the cash. It may cost a couple of hundred, but could save thousands. Good luck.