I am pulling the 1996 4.3L Vortec, balance-shaft engine from my boat because of a leak in the transom I cannot find, and the ring gear may be damaged due to a loose starter. I am trying to figure out what I should do to it while it's out and on a stand.
Engine bottom end is original, as far as I know. I pulled the heads in Nov. 2012 because it had a leaky valve. Did a complete valve job (did not need any new valves) and put it back together. Runs very nice.
I was thinking about checking the bearing clearance and possibly re-ringing it, adding a high-volume oil pump and new timing chain set. I do not remember the exact compression numbers from when I was troubleshooting the leaky valve, but IIRC they were between 120 and 130.
I'm not building a race engine, as this powers a 24' deck boat, but I was wondering if I would gain anything by changing the cam, power, fuel efficiency, or both. I do not plan to change the compression ratio from stock as I like the price of Regular gas.
What do you recommend for this situation?
Thanks,
Chris
Engine bottom end is original, as far as I know. I pulled the heads in Nov. 2012 because it had a leaky valve. Did a complete valve job (did not need any new valves) and put it back together. Runs very nice.
I was thinking about checking the bearing clearance and possibly re-ringing it, adding a high-volume oil pump and new timing chain set. I do not remember the exact compression numbers from when I was troubleshooting the leaky valve, but IIRC they were between 120 and 130.
I'm not building a race engine, as this powers a 24' deck boat, but I was wondering if I would gain anything by changing the cam, power, fuel efficiency, or both. I do not plan to change the compression ratio from stock as I like the price of Regular gas.
What do you recommend for this situation?
Thanks,
Chris
Last edited: