omc 4.3 block question

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

Do I opt to JB and stick together.

no, it won't make it down the lake twice

Or do I stick with the rediculous hunt of finding a specific block.

yes, get the exact block.

there's at least 1000 kicking around wrecking yards - you'll find one

better to invest 25 hours on the phone/net looking for the right thing, than 100's of hours trying to make crap fit junk and making a boat that no one can remember how to order parts for it

 

[boatproblem]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

no, it won't make it down the lake twice



yes, get the exact block.

there's at least 1000 kicking around wrecking yards - you'll find one

better to invest 25 hours on the phone/net looking for the right thing, than 100's of hours trying to make crap fit junk and making a boat that no one can remember how to order parts for it

thats my point. even if jb weld gets me down the lake twice, thats 2 more times than as I still hunt for the correct block and it remains in pieces. I am not going to further hurt a cracked block, therefor I am going to waste about 50 bucks in gaskets, to try and jb weld, as I am still going to look for the correct block. But at least I get to take it out once (hell maybe twice) after I get the new block, take it to a shop have it checked and then tare the old engine out. I live in kansas so the lakes are small.

I intend on jb welding it tomorrow, and putting the motor back together sat. and test it. If it works I will use it till one of the many machine shops call me with the block I need.

As far as wreck yards and such, yes there are many for cars, but not so many for boats. I read an article in sterndrives.com about how alot of the 4.3's changed halfway in 86.

 

[boatproblem]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

OK, so after trying to drill the cracks, I managed to break the bit and have it fall down the valley. So the motor has been removed at this point.

I had one motor mount, on the part where the mount, mounts to wood then the hull, one of the mounts was excessively loose... is that an issue? I plan to fix if possible, but how is the bolt held down to the hull? How do I fix that?

I also after man handling the engine out of the boat, found that it definately is the 2 piece main.


Here is my question now..... is the only part I would have to change to make a later model 4.3 work a different coupler? Considering my new short block would come with a flywheel.

There is a good used coupler on ebay for 40 bucks is why I ask, cause I will just buy it, if thats all thats keeping me from using a more universal 4.3

 

[glasstream86]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

on mine it just drills into the hull it sits on two pieces of wood and two big anchor screws go through it

 

[glasstream86]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

hey if you are still lokking for a motor or block i found a guy on craigslist with the motor you are looking 4

 

[sully73]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

we did a 4.3 swap on a buddys crownline. this was several years ago, but i remember there being a balancer of some sort in the lifter valley that we had to swap over? other than that, hes been running the same motor for several years without a lick of problems. oh, and we switched the cam over to the auto block too.

 

[boatproblem]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

quick update, I found the block I am going to use, but I found this out, and this is what I am going to do. I purchased a good running 86 4.3 for cheap, the one piece seal motor. I managed to find, that they make, and its not expensive, less than 100 bucks, an adapter so you can still use your pre 86 crank. so you would not have to change your flywheel or coupler. I have ordered mine and am awaiting its arrival so I can put this motor together.

 

[boatproblem]

Re: omc 4.3 block question

and I think the balance shaft was put in around 92 or 93. Mine is the first 4.3 casting. fortunately the 350 was made before the 4.3 which is why the adapter is available.