www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 1998 RX with the Volvo 4.3lt that is cooked and I am looking for advice on where to pick up a remanufactured engine.

Seems a shame to toss away a perfectly good boat on the cost of a motor, and the only thing that going to prevent that is me rolling up my sleeves.

Anyone who knows where I should look for the replacement or who has been in my situation, I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks, Paul

The Chevy 4.3 is a dime a dozen engine, I wouldn't pay more then $1000 + shipping for a shortblock. Search locally at engine shops, probably get one for $500 with a warranty.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARINE-GM-Chevy-4-3-262-Short-Block-1996-2003-Vortec-/250798888447?hash=item3a64c755ff&item=250798888447&pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr#ht_2736wt_1508

Figure around $300 for shipping. Browse craigslist for a starving certified marine mechanic looking for some dough and have him swap it out. You'll have a new engine in your boat for under 2k total. If you're handy... do it yourself. The hard part is getting the motor out, you'll need a ceiling hoist or a forklift of some sorts. After that it's just a matter of unbolting all the bits off the old one and swapping it to the new one.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

If you really want to make the kids on the block jealous:

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/2908557701.html

(yes I'm crying at my desk right now, I want that so bad)

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

To the OP, This is the best advice for you to follow.

_________________
One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

What are you talking about? There's MILLIONS of 4.3's made by chevy. They cost absolutely nothing. The only thing broken on a broken engine is the short block. Buy another one and swap it out. You don't need wiring, accessories, injection, bell housings, mounts, and whatever else is bolted to the short block you already have it.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

Excellent, thanks Ric.
Could you recommend a manual that I could reference for the bits and pieces of Volvo parts I remove?

A manual? Off the top of my head no. You'll basically have to strip the old engine so it looks like the new one, then put everything on the new one. I'm sure there's a workshop manual you can download somewhere so you get all the torque specs, etc.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

If you want a reliable boat and not something thats going to give you grief on the water, get a new GM Marine crate engine. Not cheap but that boat will last as long as you want to keep it, starting out new. To get a decent used boat that doesn't have rot or need a new engine or drive you gotta spend 10-15 grand anyway. I'm going the new crate engine route with closed cooling when mine needs to be done.....

_________________
88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Hmmm yes, factory is better I agree. Although there is a lot to be said for the remanufactured engines available in the market as some have said. Knowing the top 2 vendors is how I need to start and compare to a factory crated option. I think I read somewhere that the RX transome should not exceed 190hp. ?
Ric, thanks for the advice on the manual, Ya, I'm good when the guts are all spread out on the floor, I'm just looking to have that mental insurance at hand along with some pointers. (If there are any)
I did come by this site just now for the free picture bits.
http://www.marinepartseurope.com/en/e-v ... 3GL-B.aspx

Closed cooling hmmmmm it's definitely a thought for me.