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    4.3 motor swap with truck engine

    Can I just use the bolts from the donor motor?
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    4.3 motor swap with truck engine

    Can I just use the bolts from the donor?
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    4.3 motor swap with truck engine

    Why the flywheel if it's a manual? I read something about maybe the belt would be different on newer motors. Is this anything to worry about? What's the benefit of this?
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    4.3 motor swap with truck engine

    I think I'll start with what I have and make sure I can get it running before doing that. If I go vortec later I'll get a new 4bbl marine carb as well. If in freshwater only I don't need specific marine intake? Already have all this due to a fun project the previous owner left me with when I...
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    4.3 motor swap with truck engine

    I'm planning on swapping my knocking 1987 4.3L merc (s/n 0B459735) engine with a truck donor. Everything I've found is late 90s and later (vortec). What accessories can I keep from my old motor, and what won't fit? I know the intake manifold is different, but is there anything else? As far as...
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    Craigslist /marketplace or junkyard for donor motor?

    And the availability of motors I currently have an electric pump. I had a headache when I bought the boat a few years ago, so that's covered. Mine is from 1987 s/n 0B459735 not sure what cam it uses I'm still undecided what I want to do. I need a new block or to rebuild mine due to a knock...
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    Craigslist /marketplace or junkyard for donor motor?

    Couldn't I use my non vortec heads(assuming they are good) on a vortec engine and just use the short block from the vortec? Will any 4bbl marine carb work on a 4bbl intake or are there different fits? Is an old boat that we were planning on upgrading from soon anyway, so cost is important, but...
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    Craigslist /marketplace or junkyard for donor motor?

    Yeah. Didn't plan on using them. If it all comes with, I figured I would sell them. The intake and carb are going to be the high dollar items. Hard to find them used here right now. As far as carbs, any 4bbl marine carb will do with a 4bbl intake? I wondered about getting a 2bbl intake and just...
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    Craigslist /marketplace or junkyard for donor motor?

    So the loader pulls them both right up and out? I don't know what they use here. I have a several yards to choose from. I assumed they would have a cherry pocket I would have to use. Speaking of, I don't have a cherry picker. Are there places that rent them out or will I have to buy one?
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    Craigslist /marketplace or junkyard for donor motor?

    Not terribly worried about damaging the vehicle. More worried about the time /access to the fasteners. Cardboard to lay on the ground?
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    Craigslist /marketplace or junkyard for donor motor?

    Transmission up and out through the engine compartment? That seems....not easy lol Any nonstandard tools I would need?
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    Craigslist /marketplace or junkyard for donor motor?

    Looking for a "new" 4.3 vortec to replace my current non vortec with a knock. I can get one from a pull apart for around $200 with a 30 day warranty that I have to pull myself. Or I can get one already pulled from a variety of private sellers for around $350-400. I'm not going to pretend I'm...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    This is my preferred option. Wife doesn't like to gamble. Also most of the trucks I have found don't appear to have any collision damage. Other than transmission or engine issues, why else would you junk a vehicle?
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    So I called a local shop. If I bring in my block disassembled, he'll get it back to me disassembled with all new internals for $1200-1500 ish. He says he has no markup on parts and sells them for the going online price. He sounded like a straight shooter who takes his work seriously. No written...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    That makes sense. I'll be taking that into account for sure in the future. My boat isn't worth the $4000+ I would have to pay to get it rebuilt. I'm just looking for a few michigan seasons of use, and we don't have a huge budget to begin with. I think we would just go without a boat rather than...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I misspoke (typed?) with my first WOT rpm. I'm running 4600 at WOT. I looked it up myself in my manual (#7 I believe) as well. Seems like I should just have 2 props maybe? We don't ski very often. Then again, maybe just lowering the pitch will make us happier all the time. Definitely something...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Under 2k sounds good. That's about what I was hoping. Is this what you did with yours? Where did you source the used carb and intake? Looking on ebay, I don't see anything, and new carbs are closer to $500. I will read over this. Sounds like you had fun with that one.
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Isn't 5000 under propped? 4400-4800 is "spec". You just prefer the performance that way? I already only get 35 mph (cruise at about 25 mph at 3500 rpm. Won't stay on plane any lower than that) on the best of days with 19p and I think 4600 rpm. What was your top speed loss going from 19 to 15?
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I did a lot of reading when I bought my prop. It was DEFINITELY over propped when I bought it. (23 pitch) Most of the time, it doesn't feel bad to drive. It's just on occasions we have family out for a ride that it really struggles. Might have been the nail in the coffin trying to ski and...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    So you went with an older motor and converted it to a vortec? I honestly still have the option to keep my current non vortec intake and 2bbl carb and save that much money. The carb is around $500 and the intake is another $400 Heads are another few hundred. That saves me over a grand at the cost...
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