It hasn't run since I found this stuff so your probably right. Not what I wanted to hear obviously.
Do I look for another 4.3 or something different?
Howdy,
Welcome aboard!
Well, that would be my choice unless you want a 5.0/5.7L engine in there! Since you need another block, heads, manifolds and risers, you're sort of starting with a "clean slate"......you may or may not be able to use your current drive with a V-8 depending on the ratio. (someone help me here.......a 4.3L drive ratio is something like 1.68:1?)
A 5.0/5.7L uses 1.50:1 drive I think..... the difference between 1.5 and 1.68 might be handled "OK" with a prop change only
I apparently forgot too drain the engine at some point and ended up with cracked exhaust manifolds and two freeze plugs popped.
You may have noticed that you alone called them "Freeze Plugs" and everyone else called them "CORE" plugs.
Just to be clear......Those Core plugs are there for the casting process. They are NOT related to freeze protection or anything else (other than making it easier to clear out sand and other debris during a rebuild etc)
It's possible for Core plugs to be pushed out with freezing water in the block and not have a cracked block. (I have a 454 that had a core plug out on both sides and the block wasn't cracked. It was either dumb luck for the previous owner or they were just loose to begin with!
If you just want to get another engine, look for a Chev pickup 4.3 engine of a similar year and either run it or rebuild it. You may have to swap the camshaft/lifters out of your engine to make it work best with your dist & carb..... I would probably have the valves done on the replacement engine if there was any question.
There's plenty of people here that can tell you which years to get and which to avoid.
I don't think I would waste the time to put new/rebuilt heads on a block that "might" not be cracked........... because if it IS cracked, you'll be pulling those heads off and looking for another one.
The only way to check a block for cracks is to pressure test it. If the heads are cracked, you have to put good heads (and gaskets) or some sort of blocking plates on the decks to pressure check for leaks. ANd I am not sure I would trust a machine shop to check for block cracks.......pressure checking at 15-20 psi is the best check there is!
Why waste time installing heads on a questionable block when there's thousands of them on craigslist, boat trader and wrecking yards?
Regards,
Rick
