What years 3.7 merc produced?

Zman99

Recruit
Joined
Aug 16, 2005
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1
Hello, new to forum and boating in general and researching my first boat purchase. I am looking at a 94 Stringray 20 ft. cuddy with a 3.7L mercuiser. I am assuming the engine is not the orig. since it looks like it came with a 4.3L V6 from all the info I can find and, from what I've read here, they only produced this engine till '89. Is this correct? Is there anyway to find out which year the motor is thru the serial #?
 

RandyJ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Messages
808
Re: What years 3.7 merc produced?

Marc posted it while I was looking it up... not much room for error... 1988 or 1989 is all you have to choose from. If I can find this other site I'm sure it will have the model guide for mercruisers.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
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62,321
Re: What years 3.7 merc produced?

The 3.7L was used as a designator number for the engine in 88 and 89, but the actual 3.7L Mercruiser 4 cylinder engine was known as many things.<br />470, 485, 488, 165, 170, 190, and the 3.7L and 3.7LX.<br />They came out in 1976 and 89 was the last year of them.
 

RandyJ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Messages
808
Re: What years 3.7 merc produced?

Thanks Don... I should have known that since I was looking it up the other night...and I have got a 470 sitting on the ground needing a home...and probably needing a rebuild....by the way, I was told that it was some Ford engine which was cut in half ... do you know which Ford engine it was patterned after? 351, 390 or something bigger?
 

vicsponjr

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 21, 2004
Messages
174
Re: What years 3.7 merc produced?

Randy, it is similar to a 460 ford. 460 pistons, and I believe the rods are out of a 460, 460 head. The block is unique to Mercruiser. Aluminum with steel sleeves and main caps.
 

Eric H

Cadet
Joined
Aug 21, 2003
Messages
24
Re: What years 3.7 merc produced?

460 pistons have the piston pin offset. Merc pistons have the pin centered. Rods and head are the same.
 
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