krustyCrab
Cadet
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2014
- Messages
- 27
Hey Everyone,
Ill give you the specs first... I have an 1986 OMC stringer powered by a 4.3l v6 262 v6. 8 bolt manifold, rochester 2 barrel carb.
If you look at some of my older posts I talk about white smoke coming from one of the valve covers, I assumed at the time I could be dealing with a cracked block, head, or something like that.
Well I decided to pull the motor at the end of the season, ripped it all down, and generally inspected all of the components. Everything visually looks good, though I think we can agree that doesnt mean a whole lot. Reason for pulling it was to rebuild the engine, new seals gaskets the gamut.
As spring is hopefully nearly around the corner I need to make a decision to proceed with repowering or to procure either a new engine or get into a new boat.
I like the hull I have, i know dealing with a stringer is not necessarily the cheapest or best bet, but the outdrive is in good shape and works well, as much as I was able to test it last season anyway. The one thing that freaks me out, is the exceptionally large transom hole with a simple rubber belows between the engine and the ocean, im sure its fine but it freaks me out a bit LOL
So im looking for advice, should i rebuild the engine, im thinking i would have the cylinders bored out, new rings etc etc, I would likely still have to have the block checked for cracks, along with the heads... I estimate that cost to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 2k, I assume that process would start with getting the block cleaned up and magnafluxed for cracks, at which point proceeding with a rebuild is not an option and im out the 400 bucks to check the block. Option 2 would be to procure a new rebuilt engine, now some questions abound by that, could I go with a newer block, say like a 97 vortec or something like that with a 12 bolt manifold (obviously i would have to get a new manifold) still working within the same specs (4.3l v6). I could then use some of the parts known to be working off my old engine like the alternator, starter etc etc OR should I make an attempt to find a rebuilt engine made with the 8 bolt manifold and match motor for motor?
Lastly the third option is should I just scrap this boat altogether and use the money I have set aside for a new vessel. I could potentially recoup some of the money I have into the boat by salvaging as much as I can from the hull, parting out the outdrive, selling the trailer... Im thinking I could probably get about a grand for some if not all of that stuff.
Rough estimates on cost for what im trying to do, I think maybe 2-2500 for a rebuild. Probably 3kish for a new rebuilt engine, or a new ship altogether for maybe 5-6k.
If your of the opinion that a new rebuilt engine is the way to go, could you recommend some online shops that might carry what im looking for at a decent price, same with the new boat should i go that route, im thinking craigslist for that venture though.
I am mechanically inclined, but i would likely have a shop do all the work on the engine rebuild should i go that way.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
PS. A previous discussion in one of my threads discussed the possability of just finding an automotive 4.3l 262 and swapping out that motor on the cheap, a lot of research says this can be done however not recommended due to the marine cam, freeze plugs and things like that. Any thoughts there?
Ill give you the specs first... I have an 1986 OMC stringer powered by a 4.3l v6 262 v6. 8 bolt manifold, rochester 2 barrel carb.
If you look at some of my older posts I talk about white smoke coming from one of the valve covers, I assumed at the time I could be dealing with a cracked block, head, or something like that.
Well I decided to pull the motor at the end of the season, ripped it all down, and generally inspected all of the components. Everything visually looks good, though I think we can agree that doesnt mean a whole lot. Reason for pulling it was to rebuild the engine, new seals gaskets the gamut.
As spring is hopefully nearly around the corner I need to make a decision to proceed with repowering or to procure either a new engine or get into a new boat.
I like the hull I have, i know dealing with a stringer is not necessarily the cheapest or best bet, but the outdrive is in good shape and works well, as much as I was able to test it last season anyway. The one thing that freaks me out, is the exceptionally large transom hole with a simple rubber belows between the engine and the ocean, im sure its fine but it freaks me out a bit LOL
So im looking for advice, should i rebuild the engine, im thinking i would have the cylinders bored out, new rings etc etc, I would likely still have to have the block checked for cracks, along with the heads... I estimate that cost to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 2k, I assume that process would start with getting the block cleaned up and magnafluxed for cracks, at which point proceeding with a rebuild is not an option and im out the 400 bucks to check the block. Option 2 would be to procure a new rebuilt engine, now some questions abound by that, could I go with a newer block, say like a 97 vortec or something like that with a 12 bolt manifold (obviously i would have to get a new manifold) still working within the same specs (4.3l v6). I could then use some of the parts known to be working off my old engine like the alternator, starter etc etc OR should I make an attempt to find a rebuilt engine made with the 8 bolt manifold and match motor for motor?
Lastly the third option is should I just scrap this boat altogether and use the money I have set aside for a new vessel. I could potentially recoup some of the money I have into the boat by salvaging as much as I can from the hull, parting out the outdrive, selling the trailer... Im thinking I could probably get about a grand for some if not all of that stuff.
Rough estimates on cost for what im trying to do, I think maybe 2-2500 for a rebuild. Probably 3kish for a new rebuilt engine, or a new ship altogether for maybe 5-6k.
If your of the opinion that a new rebuilt engine is the way to go, could you recommend some online shops that might carry what im looking for at a decent price, same with the new boat should i go that route, im thinking craigslist for that venture though.
I am mechanically inclined, but i would likely have a shop do all the work on the engine rebuild should i go that way.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
PS. A previous discussion in one of my threads discussed the possability of just finding an automotive 4.3l 262 and swapping out that motor on the cheap, a lot of research says this can be done however not recommended due to the marine cam, freeze plugs and things like that. Any thoughts there?
