4.3 vortec engine ( water in oil )

[Scott06]

New base engine https://www.michiganmotorz.com/4-3l-vortec-base-marine-engine-1996-2016
Remanufactured https://www.michiganmotorz.com/4-3l-vortec-marine-engine-1996-current

 

[nola mike]

Anyone have a good source for a cheap long block ?

Cheaper would be junkyard motor, +/- rebuild. Mine cost $180. If you count the value of my time, mine cost $50k

 

[Clayclark]

Just curious - could that crack in the jacket within the galley be die ground out and JB Welded if its just a water jacket and hence not under immense pressure, or would that not work?

Some would probably try and fix it and some would succeed in doing so but im a firm believer in what goes around comes around so I’m not gonna fix it the right way instead of being cheap and pass the boat on knowing what I done!

 

[Clayclark]

I’m sure it’s said somewhere else but if I ordered a reman engine engine what numbers would I go by to be sure I’m getting the correct long block thanks in advance

 

[Scott06]

I’m sure it’s said somewhere else but if I ordered a reman engine engine what numbers would I go by to be sure I’m getting the correct long block thanks in advance

You need a 96 and up vortec 4.3 link in post 21 is correct One

also as outlined you can get a truck vortec 4.3 from a wrecking yard and marinize it

 

[Clayclark]

You need a 96 and up vortec 4.3 link in post 21 is correct One

also as outlined you can get a truck vortec 4.3 from a wrecking yard and marinize it

What needs to be swapped to Marinize it

 

[stresspoint]

What needs to be swapped to Marinize it

strip it down to a long block and swap everything from your running motor.

some xpurt will say a camshaft swap is needed but with a truck motor the cam will be fine .

 

[Lou C]

About the new Vs reman; I looked into this (called MM) & I don’t think any new ones have been made for several years so the only ones available are re mans.

 

[Scott Danforth]

What needs to be swapped to Marinize it

You need marine head gaskets, brass core plugs, marine accessory drive, marine intake, marine exhaust, marine water pump and marine electrics

 

[Lou C]

4.3 V6 I meant. I called them a few years ago and I don't think any more new ones are being built.

 

[Clayclark]

Anyone know a good reputable place to buy a short block, and without pulling the motor yet how can I come up with the casting numbers for the block , I have serial number to engine but I do not know casting numbers ! All hell is appreciated

 

[Lou C]

The block casting #s are on the bell housing area behind the cyl head; look on both sides. There are also casting # s for the cyl heads that you can see if you remove the valve covers.

 

[Scott06]

Anyone know a good reputable place to buy a short block, and without pulling the motor yet how can I come up with the casting numbers for the block , I have serial number to engine but I do not know casting numbers ! All hell is appreciated

Call michigan motorz im sure they could do a shortblock… but you need to take the heads and have them magnafluxed for cracks or pressure tested As they were exposed to same freezing as the block. Doesn't make sense to just do a shortblock unless you are 100 % sure the heads are not cracked. By the time you check them out you’re probably at the same cost

rapido marine in fl has had some good comments here as well but their pricing seems maybe too cheap. Here is there link to 4.3s outlining the casting numbers …https://www.rapidomarine.com/default.aspx?p=/engines262.aspx

check your casting numbers as Lou mentions, likely you have a 090 or 090M casting, but any vortec 4.3 will do… if you have the M casting (metric) or someone offers you one dont get hung up on it. The metric block used metric M10 fasteners for the flywheel cover, side motor mounts, and starter bolts, all other fasteners are sae… its about $20 of grade 8 bolts and starter bolts…

 

[nola mike]

The metric block used metric M10 fasteners for the flywheel cover, side motor mounts, and starter bolts, all other fasteners are sae… its about $20 of grade 8 bolts and starter bolts…

This is the most ridiculous thing ever btw. The hardware was actually not as easy to source as you'd think. Nothing available locally, and I had to buy a lot of packs of 10 when I only needed one type of thing. Cost me a lot of time. You also need a new starter if you go this route, or need to drill out your current one, as the M10 won't fit the holes.

 

[Scott06]

This is the most ridiculous thing ever btw. The hardware was actually not as easy to source as you'd think. Nothing available locally, and I had to buy a lot of packs of 10 when I only needed one type of thing. Cost me a lot of time. You also need a new starter if you go this route, or need to drill out your current one, as the M10 won't fit the holes.

Not sure if you are saying my comment was ridiculous or GM putting two types of fasteners on same block...

My local hardware store (old school independent) had grade 8 bolts, only specialty items were from Mcmaster Carr ( https://www.mcmaster.com/ )grade 8 studs for flywheel housing (2) and fuel filter mounting on side motor mount, and Sierra starter bolts of ebay . Going from metric old block to SAE new block had no issue with old starter. This was going from a 090M block to a 5.0 all SAE thread block...

Correct SAE to metric may be harder to come by but it is possible and I didn't want to OP to get scared off

 

[Clayclark]

Call michigan motorz im sure they could do a shortblock… but you need to take the heads and have them magnafluxed for cracks or pressure tested As they were exposed to same freezing as the block. Doesn't make sense to just do a shortblock unless you are 100 % sure the heads are not cracked. By the time you check them out you’re probably at the same cost

rapido marine in fl has had some good comments here as well but their pricing seems maybe too cheap. Here is there link to 4.3s outlining the casting numbers …https://www.rapidomarine.com/default.aspx?p=/engines262.aspx

check your casting numbers as Lou mentions, likely you have a 090 or 090M casting, but any vortec 4.3 will do… if you have the M casting (metric) or someone offers you one dont get hung up on it. The metric block used metric M10 fasteners for the flywheel cover, side motor mounts, and starter bolts, all other fasteners are sae… its about $20 of grade 8 bolts and starter bolts…

Okay so I can’t see any casting numbers , correct me if I’m wrong but if I take the starter bolts out and see if they are metric or sae then I would know if it is a 090 or 090m ?

 

[Clayclark]

One more ? Has anyone had any luck or know anything about mabco engines in Tyler Texas ?

 

[Lou C]

looky here...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Okay so I can’t see any casting numbers , correct me if I’m wrong but if I take the starter bolts out and see if they are metric or sae then I would know if it is a 090 or 090m ?

Light reading

complete history of the 4.3 liter with casting numbers

thought I would post the complete history of the 4.3 liter that I could find. These are links and articles that I have bookmarked for my own use, however they should help many people. it may help some people when looking for parts or sourcing a salvage yard motor or a reman. keep in mind that...

forums.iboats.com

 

[Clayclark]

looky here...View attachment 374823

Thanks I found it ! It’s an 090 casting , and found short block or long block at mabbco engines in Tyler Texas but after reading reviews they wasn’t what I was looking to see!