4.3 mercruiser alpha 1

[Jvanlue]

Have a boat that has sat for about 4 years. Before this it was a great running boat. Had water in the bilge for a time. I have replaced the battery and starter. Boat will not crank when I turn the key, but it cranks when I cross the solenoid. When I cross the solenoid, it clunks. I thought maybe it was hydrolocked but when I pulled all 6 spark plugs, no water came out. I sprayed PB blaster where the plugs were and also in the carberator. Still clunks when I cross the solenoid. I have a new slave solenoid I’m going to out on. Not sure what my next steps are to see why the motor is frozen. Going to drain the oil and put marvel magic in there. See what that does.

Photo attached of the plugs, going to replace them as well.

 

[alldodge]

There is rust on the bottom of the plugs, and a bit on a couple of the tips. The rigs are probably rusted to the cylinder walls

Spray more oil in the cylinders and let it sit for couple days

 

[Jvanlue]

There is rust on the bottom of the plugs, and a bit on a couple of the tips. The rigs are probably rusted to the cylinder walls

Spray more oil in the cylinders and let it sit for couple days

I pulled the oil drain plug and antifreeze came pouring out… it was winterized about 5 years ago by a marina

 

[Scott06]

Might pull the drive - if there was water in bellows gimbal or ujoints may be frozen as well.

 

[alldodge]

AF in the oil pan, well that's not good

 

[Jvanlue]

AF in the oil pan, well that's not good

Am I wasting my time?

Should i put the marvel mystery oil in the main oil funnel, or try to spray it directly into the cylinders?

 

[alldodge]

Probably are, my guess is the block cracked from not being winterized correctly. No way should AF wind up in the pan, something is busted

Remove the thermostat housing and then use a garden hose and pour water in it. It will probably come right out the pan

 

[Scott06]

Am I wasting my time?

Should i put the marvel mystery oil in the main oil funnel, or try to spray it directly into the cylinders?

Its toast would take the engine out and get a new long block

 

[Jvanlue]

Probably are, my guess is the block cracked from not being winterized correctly. No way should AF wind up in the pan, something is busted

Remove the thermostat housing and then use a garden hose and pour water in it. It will probably come right out the pan

Could you point to the thermostat housing?

 

[Scott06]

Could you point to the thermostat housing?

Its with the four hoses on front of intake manifold just above the water pump

 

[alldodge]

...

 

[Jvanlue]

Its toast would take the engine out and get a new long block

What long block would fit this engine? Would it have to be another 4.3?

 

[Scott Danforth]

What long block would fit this engine? Would it have to be another 4.3?

If you want to jump to a V8, now is the time

However if you want to go 4.3, I would target a vortec motor

While your motor says vortec in the valve covers, it doesn't have vortec heads.

 

[alldodge]

What long block would fit this engine? Would it have to be another 4.3?

Agree with Scott
If you go with V8 in a 5.7 (5.0 about same as 4.3) would need to move motor mounts

 

[Scott06]

What long block would fit this engine? Would it have to be another 4.3?

As mentioned another 4.3 is simplest. Not sure what boat this is in And if a V8 would fit in enginecompartment

I swapped a 4.3 for a V8 in my 21 ft sea ray. It was easy because the boat was offered with a V8 from factory, so engine mount stringers were big enough to accommodate the mounts being 4” farther forward. Also engine compartment had room in front for a drop in install. Because the 4.3/5.0/5.7 are the same bolt pattern front and back (4.3 is a 5.7 missing 2 cylinders) i was able to use most peripherals on the V8.

 

[Jvanlue]

As mentioned another 4.3 is simplest. Not sure what boat this is in And if a V8 would fit in enginecompartment

I swapped a 4.3 for a V8 in my 21 ft sea ray. It was easy because the boat was offered with a V8 from factory, so engine mount stringers were big enough to accommodate the mounts being 4” farther forward. Also engine compartment had room in front for a drop in install. Because the 4.3/5.0/5.7 are the same bolt pattern front and back (4.3 is a 5.7 missing 2 cylinders) i was able to use most peripherals on the V8.

94 bayliner capri 2050

Where would you recommend I start looking for a suitable block

 

[Scott06]

94 bayliner capri 2050

Where would you recommend I start looking for a suitable block

Would be surprised if that wasnt offered with a V8 originally If you want togo that route.
where to get it depends on how much u want to spend .

i got mine from Michigan motorz. I bought a partial engine. Which is A new long block, intake , carb, and ignition . they also offer reman engines if you just want to swap a 4.3 longblock. Would upgrade to a newer vortec 4.3 for more hp if u go that route. Since its been frozen would replace intake and exhaust manifolds.

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less expensive options are a truck 4.3 from a wrecking yard , strip to long block swap marine head gaskets, marine water pump , and brass freeze plugs. Also may find a used marine engine on craigs list with or with out a rotten boat attached.

if you want to spend more money get a mercruiser bobtail complete drop in engine

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The MerCruiser 2013, 4.3L, 4 bbl., "Alpha 4V", complete drop-in, turn key engine package. It is rated at 225hp at the prop. 865108R89

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[Scott Danforth]

94 bayliner capri 2050

Where would you recommend I start looking for a suitable block

1993-1995 S-10 pickup truck

 

[Jvanlue]

I have a really dumb question… the plug I drained was a brass plug down by the oil filter on the lower right side of the motor… that IS the oil plug right? I can send a picture tomorrow.

 

[Jvanlue]

I have a really dumb question… the plug I drained was a brass plug down by the oil filter on the lower right side of the motor… that IS the oil plug right? I can send a picture tomorrow.

Ok guys…: I’m pretty sure I opened one of the drain plugs for draining water out of the motor…. Which would make sense why there’s antifreeze in there…. Right?

So what’s my next steps for unfreezing this motor?