4.3 V-6 Block Frozen

[John Fogarty]

I have inherited a 1987 Proline with the Chevy Small Block 4.3L V-6 and OMC Cobra drive. The boat has sat up for a while and the engine well was flooded. The engine block seems to be frozen. I cannot get the fly wheel to turn. I have tried to oil the pistons thru the spark plug holes but no luck. I have pulled the exhaust manifolds, the intake manifold, the valve covers, and the bolts to the cylinder heads but I can't seem to get the cylinder heads off. I think I have removed all the bolts but neither side will come free. Any tips or am I missing something?

 

[capt ahab]

Re: 4.3 V-6 Block Frozen

Double check to make sure you have removed all head bolts, then take a 2x4 block of wood and set it against a head and use a medium tap with a good sized hammer(20-24oz) hitting the wood, not the head. Do not use a screwdriver or anything similar to pry between the head and the block. Sometimes gaskets tear in half when separating heads from block, this must be why yours are so tight. Try to hit the wood so that you hit the head up (from the intake valley side) away from the block. Put a large clean rag in the valley for cleanliness. Be prepared to bore the block, buy new pistons,etc, and probably do a valve job to get it running...