Are 88 to 95 4.3 mercruiser stock roller or flat tappet cams?

[Jaime mark]

Can I jump to 1.7 rollers on stock valvetrain or just stay with 1.6 as a easy upgrade. All stock is it flat tappet or roller cam 88-95? Thanks guys!!

 

[Lou C]

Can’t answer the question about the rockers but if the engine is original & Merc used the same engines as OMC the 88-92 models definitely came stock with a roller cam. You can check the block casting # to verify.

 

[Jaime mark]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yes they are rollers, no you can't jump ratios. The 4.3 is on the raged edge of reversion.

If you want more power, go to vortec heads. Want more than the 30hp boost....go bigger on displacement as in a V8

 

[Jaime mark]

Do vortec heads require a different cam? Because I don't want to yank the engine out and still not to NEED TO. Can I get fully assembled heads for this and at what cost??

 

[Scott Danforth]

Do vortec heads require a different cam? Because I don't want to yank the engine out and still not to NEED TO. Can I get fully assembled heads for this and at what cost??

No, just different intake

 

[Jaime mark]

No, just different intake

Awesome! Thanks

 

[Jaime mark]

Is any milky color on a dipstick to be some concern to heads and block? I understand that if you go from full throttle to slamming into idle rpm is not the solution of a brake....like a car to stop it. .lol. if the oil is white as a new gallon of milk on the dip stick would make you run miles àwlay! If It black or blonde to make a boat PURCHASE JUST CHANGE THE OIL REGARDLESS!!! 4.3 MERCRUISER 1988 ALL STOCK. ANY OBVIOUS 4.3 GAS OR MARINE? OR JUST STUPID ESPECIALLY GAS OR CARB MARINE APPLICATION?? IM A NEWBIE FOR CARB ON THE WATER!!! It should be good or dumb ???? At least on land I can walk!! Any suggestions would be great or I'm being stupid.


.

 

[Lou C]

If there’s milky oil on the dipstick don’t buy it!

 

[Jaime mark]

Yup!!!

 

[Jaime mark]

Oil change cap rotor and plugs...hands down. Any ideas to know compression out of rhe water of a stock 1988 4.3 besides the obvious for a s10 4.3 on land
engine With a basic dial compression gauge?

 

[Lou C]

I’ve done mine a number of times I usually get 160-170 lbs. Engine warmed up throttle wide open

 

[Jaime mark]

Excellent that makes sense as long as water feeding it

 

[Jaime mark]

Not spending a penny on the purchase without testing the obvious!!

 

[Scott06]

Not spending a penny on the purchase without testing the obvious!!

If the block is cracked and that is putting water in the oil , it will not show up on a compression test.

 

[Jaime mark]

Of course!! Just simple shade tree mechanic stuff. No computer to worry 'bout basic old school stuff!!!!!

 

[Lou C]

You shouldn’t buy unless you can run the engine under load in the water. That’s where cracked blocks & heads will show up.

 

[Jaime mark]

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Very good point!!!! ALMOST EVERYONE one that sells THERE BOAT SAYS RUNS GREAT UNTIL. WINTERISED IS A PLUS ALONG WITH STORAGE UNLESS YOU MESSAGE THEM AND SEE IT AND HERE IT RUN!!! YA ITS NOT A EASY THING TO DETERMINE COMPLETELY LIKE A CAR OR TRUCK!!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Why are you shouting?

 

[Jaime mark]

Not intended my apologies.. maple syrup stuck on my thumb