4.3 mercruiser alpha 1

[nola mike]

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.

Nope, not oil plug. I mean, did any oil come out?

 

[Scott Danforth]

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.

No. That would be the water jacket.

Oil is sucked up with a pump up your dipstick

 

[Scott Danforth]

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

Step 1 remove the drive
Does it turn over ?

If no, step 2 remove motor

 

[alldodge]

You can try a break it free with oil but probably best pull the motor.
Could also remove intake and heads to see what it looks like inside

 

[Scott06]

Before you jank engine I would try pulling the drive to ensure that the drive, gimbal or u joints aren't locked up. Then use a strap wrench on balancer so you don't risk breaking the balancer bolt off in the crank.

 

[Jvanlue]

Before you jank engine I would try pulling the drive to ensure that the drive, gimbal or u joints aren't locked up. Then use a strap wrench on balancer so you don't risk breaking the balancer bolt off in the crank.

Ok here’s where I’m at. I pumped all the old oil out of the motor. There was no water in the oil. I squirted as much marvel mystery oil into the cylinders as I could. Then I put the rest of the oil in through the dipstick. I pulled the drive off. I’m attaching pictures. When I pulled the drive off, oil came out. Not sure if that’s normal or not…

 

[Jvanlue]

Ok here’s where I’m at. I pumped all the old oil out of the motor. There was no water in the oil. I squirted as much marvel mystery oil into the cylinders as I could. Then I put the rest of the oil in through the dipstick. I pulled the drive off. I’m attaching pictures. When I pulled the drive off, oil came out. Not sure if that’s normal or not…

Motor still won’t crank, I can turn it with a socket and breaker bar…. But the pulley wheel doesn’t move

 

[dubs283]

Oil in the bellows is most likely gear lube from the drive. Guessing yoke seal failure.

Drain and pressure test the drive to confirm.

Safety wire is not installed correctly on the shift slide

What is a pulley wheel?

 

[alldodge]

The motor is toast, start looking for another one

 

[Jvanlue]

The motor is toast, start looking for another one

What do you think is most likely wrong, cracked block?

 

[alldodge]

What do you think is most likely wrong, cracked block?

The motor is seized. It may not be cracked, but from what you have provided so far there is a deficiency in knowing what needs to be done and path forward. So the easy route is new/rebuilt long block

Can disassemble the motor and rebuild, or get another. Could get a short block (no heads) and gets yours rebuilt or do the pains taking of freeing up yours and then having a machine shop rebuild

 

[Jvanlue]

The motor is seized. It may not be cracked, but from what you have provided so far there is a deficiency in knowing what needs to be done and path forward. So the easy route is new/rebuilt long block

Can disassemble the motor and rebuild, or get another. Could get a short block (no heads) and gets yours rebuilt or do the pains taking of freeing up yours and then having a machine shop rebuild

I put a new starter on but didn’t include the spacer that came with it. Is there any chance the new starter isn’t lining up? What if I pull the new starter and try spinning the flywheel by hand?

 

[alldodge]

I put a new starter on but didn’t include the spacer that came with it. Is there any chance the new starter isn’t lining up?

No

What if I pull the new starter and try spinning the flywheel by hand?

Could try that but don't see it changing anything

 

[Jvanlue]

No


Could try that but don't see it changing anything

If the motor is seized shouldn’t the flywheel be locked up?

 

[alldodge]

If the motor is seized shouldn’t the flywheel be locked up?

yes

 

[nola mike]

Motor still won’t crank, I can turn it with a socket and breaker bar…. But the pulley wheel doesn’t move

What/how exactly are you turning? Are you telling about the balancer on the front not moving?

 

[dubs283]

What is a pulley wheel?

What is a pulley wheel?

 

[Jvanlue]

What is a pulley wheel?

Further diagnosing today. Pulled the starter off, it spins, tried moving the flywheel with a screwdriver, no dice.

Pulled the carb off… lots of rust picture attached
Pulled one of the risers off, no rust pictures attached
Pulled a valve over off, cylinder heads don’t look bad. Still have oil but does look a little white/frothy picture attached

I’m guessing by the amount of rust on the intake and on the spark plugs, the cylinders are rusted pretty bad

 

[dubs283]

I’m guessing by the amount of rust on the intake and on the spark plugs, the cylinders are rusted pretty bad

Perhaps

But, keep posting pictures and descriptions of vain attempts to unseize the engine. It may help

I'd have stopped pretending a while ago but someone here may have the right solution save from purchasing a rebuilt long block

 

[dave8311]

You need a breaker bar on the front end of the crank to turn the motor over, but not using the bolt that holds the pully/balancer on. It will break off in the end of the crankshaft, and now you are surely done.

There are a couple of different options for using a breaker bar, use the one you like best.

Just google "crank turning tool"