My recent purchase

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:36 am

I bought it sight unseen as a parts boat to finish the interior on mine and get some other goodies and switch trailers...and then I saw the boat and decided to sell mine. The block is cracked (OMC 4.3) and am currently shopping for a suitable replacement (in another post). Here are some pics of my $300 boat

[img

[/img]

[img

][/img]

[img

[/img]

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 11:42 am

Not sure how to make those pictures larger, or if I can but there is nothing wrong with the boat...except for a cracked block but everything works on it!

[img

[/img]

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:00 pm

That's a pre vortec 4.3 Chevy. You can get longblocks for like $500 with warranty. Cheapest engine ever.

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:02 pm

Really? I've been shopping around and cant seem to find any for under $1400 and that guy is in FL. I dont mind paying for shipping for a $500 long block! Where did you find that at?

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 12:48 pm

204Angler wrote:

Really? I've been shopping around and cant seem to find any for under $1400 and that guy is in FL. I dont mind paying for shipping for a $500 long block! Where did you find that at?

Craigslist, they pop up all the time. Almost all of those parts you can't use but they'd generate lunch money on ebay.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/3069281466.html

That's a vortec engine, 200hp instead of non vortec 160ish . Vortec 4.3's have 8 intake manifold bolts, Non-vortec have 12. If you have a 12 bolt intake just go ahead and purchase a vortec intake manifold they're like $180 for stock iron ones. See if you can ebay a used aluminum performance one to gain a few ponies.

ALSO! I forgot if the vortec had different exhaust bolt patterns or not. Worst comes to worst, you just use your current heads on it.

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 1:28 pm

Could I use a car/truck engine for a marine application? I was looking at marine blocks...not sure what the difference is in the building process

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:12 pm

...................

http://www.marineenginedigest.com/speci ... evauto.htm

http://www.perfprotech.com/store/articl ... arine.aspx

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:14 pm

204Angler wrote:

Could I use a car/truck engine for a marine application? I was looking at marine blocks...not sure what the difference is in the building process

It's the same engine, literally. All that propaganda that the engines are different are fictional.

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:36 pm

Ok so I just read the article about marine engines vs automotive and am being told dont worry about it... hmmmmm.
As far as the accessories go, I will use what Ive got so I would just get the long or short block (would prefer long). Anyone know of a good place to look at remanned 4.3's? I am leary of putting a craigslist engine in my boat just because if the engine is already out, I cant run it and therefore am placing a giant question mark in my boat...not a good feeling

Cap'n Morgan · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:47 pm

http://www.perfprotech.com/store/produc ... 75307.aspx

http://www.marinepowerservice.com/Boati ... /24037.cfm

http://www.scottsboatservice.com/Quicks ... LOCKS.html

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 2:54 pm

2k for a reman 4.3 LOL!!!!!

Try a shop that doesn't rip people off:

http://www.mabbcomotors.com/catalog/Mar ... rranty/176

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:18 pm

Hey guys thank you so much for the help...this whole stern drive thing is way new to me and foreign. I am an outboard guy so thank you for having patience with seemingly ignorant questions :roll:

What is a balance shaft? Is that the shaft that runs through the valley(under the intake manifold), front to back? I could just use the one off of the engine thats in the boat right?
I have noticed that the more expensive engines are more expensive because of a warranty (or that's what it seems like)...you think it is worth it to spend more for that peace of mind? Usually I opt out of warranties however, I am usually a little more cautious with boat stuff.
Thanks again gents...this is a great site

97_245_sd · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:36 pm

A balance shaft helps to stop the engine from shaking. A V8 has the two banks of cylinders in a 90 degree vee and is well balanced without any sort of extra balance shaft.

The 4.3L V6 is also a 90 degree vee, basically it is a small block chevy V8 with two cylinders cut off and is not inherently balanced. So they added a balance shaft which is timed to the crankshaft which counters the shaking forces of the engine. I'm not sure where they mounted it in the engine.

For a V6, 60 degrees between the cylinder banks is the inherently balanced configuration and doesn't require a balance shaft.

The camshaft that operates the valves is in the valley for sure since it is a cam in block pushrod engine.

ric · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 5:48 pm

I'm the non-warranty kinda guy but that's just me. I do however get insurance

When I purchased my 57" HDTV DLP 4 years ago they tried to sell me this $400 5 year warranty because bulbs would blow out, etc. I said no. Well, 4 years later I'm still on my factory bulb and now they cost $75 if it ever did blow out.

Winning.

I would never purchase a warranty on an engine like that. 100% of the time they will blame it on something else that caused their engine to break, voiding warranty. Count the intake bolts. 12 = non balance shaft engine non vortec. 8 = balance shaft vortec engine.

If you REALLY want the higher HP vortec engine a better route to go would be get the cheap non-vortec 4.3 for $600, then hop on ebay and pick up a set of vortec heads http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-3L-VORTEC-HEADS-REMANUFACTURED-10235772-/320918316237#ht_500wt_1139 and a vortec intake manifold http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-3L-4-bbl-GM-MerCruiser-VORTEC-Intake-Manifold-1996-Later-/280897409215?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item4166ca50bf&vxp=mtr#ht_2464wt_1116 and a marine 4bbl carb calibrated for the 4.3 http://www.holley.com/0-80492.asp

And in the process of fixing your boat.. for $1500 worth of parts you went from 170hp to 220+

Throw a cam in the mix and you're looking at 250+ hp. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Crane-Cams-High-Performance-Cam-Chevrolet-4-3L-90D-V6-92-02-488-509-/140719524382?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c3898a1e&vxp=mtr#ht_3857wt_888

More HP then a standard V8. God I love the 4.3

AND Still cheaper then a factory longblock from a "marine" dealer

204Angler · **Posted:** Mon Jun 11, 2012 6:35 pm

Ok yeah that balance shaft makes sense...especially for that angle of the V. I just though that was the job of the dynamic damper. I was googling that balance shaft and a result came up with another website and this guy was saying he left it off because it robbed HP?? DOesnt make sense to me--if anything it should help the power.
Yeah and besides, I think that the 4.3 is a good engine design so I dont really foresee any issues. The engine that is in the boat has a four barrel quadrajet on it...as for the heads, I could swing that! Do they make H.O exhaust for marine engines? I just want to get an engine in the boat but, I like pepping things up a little, cant leave anything stock!
So, to take the motor out, I could disconnect fuel line, water, wire harness and controls, unbolt from transom assembly and unbolt engine mounts and out she comes? Seems easier than taking an engine out of a truck.

www.iFourWinns.com

My recent purchase

Who is online