Merc 4.3l to omc 4.3l

[Jarred C]

Hey there!
I got a 93 bayliner capri with a cracked block. I have an opportunity to grab a 86 Omc motor to swap it out for cheap. I mostly work on cars/trucks so this area is a little new to me. Can I take the 86 omc and throw on the bellhousing from the current cracked 92 merc and swap it? Not sure if it will mate because from the research I have been doing it looks like 87 - 92 version was a vortec. What is the 86 omc? Any info or assistance would be awesome as I am looking for alternatives due to lack of cash!

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

no, the 87-92 were not equipped with vortec heads. those did not arrive until 1996. the 1987-1992 were pre-balance shaft motors with a 2-piece rear main seal and center bolt valve covers. your 1993 is most likely a balance shaft motor

I would pull a motor out of a 1993-1996 S-10 vs dealing with the older '86. go to a you-pull-it, you pull the whole motor for $350, sell off everything except the longblock (shortblock and heads) and recoup $150, then add brass core plugs ($11) and a set of marine head gaskets $125 and bolt on your marine accessories, starter, alternator, etc. you may have to get a new marine water pump and a new intake (most likely cracked). definitely get new manifolds and risers.

you may want some light reading http://forums.iboats.com/forum/engi...history-of-the-4-3-liter-with-casting-numbers

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Another Major problem you'll have is,....
None of the OMC dressin's will line up with the Mercruiser stuff,....

Exhaust is a different diameter,....
Carb linkage is all wrong,....
Plumbin' is different,...
Etc....