Milky oil

[SeaRayboater95]

Learning lots from you guys here. This is awesome. So, I'm thinking these are screw in studs and casting number 181. This is what im looking for? This is the cracked head that came off the engine I'm working on. I'm going to look at a head still on the motor and still in the boat. I have no idea what to expect. Was referred to him from the parts manager from a merc dealer.

 

[Lou C]

looks like that to me
good luck finding a match!

 

[SeaRayboater95]

Do I need and exact match? Will other heads work with the good head I have? Could I take both donor heads and use them? Would I need to use rocker and pushrods from the donor heads? So many questions........ Head out to get the head shortly.

 

[Lou C]

Not sure on those questions, exact match would be best assuming your other one is OK. Maybe ask machine shop, they may know.
I’d guess if you find a matching pair of pre-Vortec heads it should work, I just don’t know for sure. Are you certain the other side isn’t cracked, both of mine were…

 

[SeaRayboater95]

Not sure on those questions, exact match would be best assuming your other one is OK. Maybe ask machine shop, they may know.
I’d guess if you find a matching pair of pre-Vortec heads it should work, I just don’t know for sure. Are you certain the other side isn’t cracked, both of mine were…

Shop tested and said it was good.

 

[Scott06]

Do I need and exact match? Will other heads work with the good head I have? Could I take both donor heads and use them? Would I need to use rocker and pushrods from the donor heads? So many questions........ Head out to get the head shortly.

would think as long as the chamber size is the same should work. Did the other head check out ok? would assume this is from an over heat block deck is likely not flat anymore.

Edit missed the prvious post re second head is ok but still need to check mating surface on block

 

[Lou C]

For sure check the block deck, mine overheated but it was OK.
the challenge with the 4.3 is all the variations that were present over time.
if you look at the Pre-Vortec head list I posted, there are like 5 different versions of the same head, but some with different #s are listed as actually being the same head, but with some subtle difference and different last 3 #s (064/181, one has press in studs, the other has screw in studs), etc. Mine ends in 768 which matches up with the date range 87-91 (mine's an 88).

 

[SeaRayboater95]

This is the one I'm taking off donor boat. Will it work as a straight up replacement. Do I need to take rockers and push rod wirh.me?