Newer 4.3 chevy truck engine in 04 Four Winns with 4.3 GL

[670hoth]

I have an 04 Four Winns with 4.3 GL Volvo Penta engine with bad oil pressure. I want to replace it with a junk yard 4.3 chevy truck engine but the only ones available with low miles are the 07 and newer distributorless version engines. Can I use one of these long blocks (short block and heads) and install my intake and carb, distributor, etc....? I have heard there are some changes, one being the timing chain cover is shaped different and has a different bolt pattern but I don't know if any of these changes would cause an issue. I have no interest in converting the boat over to efi/distributorless unless it is very cheap and easy. Thanks

 

[GA_Boater]

What is the oil pressure oil? Any rapping, tapping or knocking?

If I read your past posts correctly, you replaced the block with a used short block and the boat has gone through 3 motors between you and the PO.

Why buy another pig in a poke? Rebuild this one with a gasket set, rings, possibly a crank grind, rod and main bearings, possibly a new oil pump.

 

[670hoth]

I forget the oil pressure but yes its rapping. Long story but it got run low on oil. It was not the engines fault. The same thing could have happened even if I had bought a $2500 marine reman only I would be four times as sick about it due to the four times cost. Low mileage 4.3s can be had for $500 and already have brass freeze plugs. I just cant afford a rebuild or reman right now. I just need to know if I can use the 07 and newer 4.3.

 

[Scott Danforth]

yes you can. you unbolt stuff on the truck motor until you get to the long block (strip down to block and heads). the block will not have brass core plugs, so spend the $11.

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/eng...history-of-the-4-3-liter-with-casting-numbers

 

[Bondo]

you replaced the block with a used short block and the boat has gone through 3 motors between you and the PO.

WoW,.... Talk about Abuse,..... I guess nobody knows how to check the oil level, before startin' the motor each, 'n everyday,..??..??

Like Scott said, the Long Block motors will interchange,...
None of the accessories from the truck motor are usable in a boat,....

 

[670hoth]

The three previous motors were before I owned it. I think this boat is cursed. This last motor is on me and I don't care to go into what happened. It kinda make me sick just thinking about it.

I appreciate the help but I do want to make sure you guys understand my question. I know a 4.3 truck long block up to 2006 will work with my intake, carb, distributor, and other accessories and I also know that many of those already have brass freeze plugs, For 2007 and up the chevy 4.3 trucks went to a distributorless 4.3 and they did make some changes to the long block. For one, it has a different timing chain cover with a different shape and bolt pattern. I know that an 06 and back timing cover will not go on an 07 and up long block. I don't know what other changes may have been made and I don't know if the 07 and up block will take a distributor. I was just hoping someone has direct experience. There are lots of inexpensive low mileage 4.3s around here but they are all from newer than 07 trucks as you would expect. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Scott Danforth]

the block takes a "oil pump drive" which is a distributor without the head. same as the 8.1 BBC. pull that, install dizzy, go boating.

However for the $300 I would take what you have to your local machinist and grind the crank and put in new bearings and water pump and be back on the water in 3 days.

 

[670hoth]

Ok, so your saying there is an oil pump drive in place of the distributor? I am not sure I understand this since the oil pump is in the oil pan. In any case, your saying pull what ever is in the distributor hole and install my distributor and bolt up all accessories and I am good to go? I am hoping I can use my harmonic balancer too as long as it does not interfere with the different timing chain cover on the newer motors. Thanks

 

[Maclin]

You could just hold out for a pre-07 4.3, expand your search a little. I am not sure what all you are running into that the options are limited in your search, but a pre-07 engine seems to eliminate all of the other obstacles.

 

[Lou C]

Do these newer versions of the 4.3 even have a timing tab on the timing chain cover to set the timing? Or is it a totally different process with electronically controlled timing? Still have the stone age on my boat lol (points & condenser, mechanical advance distributor). What about the harmonic balancer, can you use the same pulleys so they match your alt and P/S pump?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Ok, so your saying there is an oil pump drive in place of the distributor? I am not sure I understand this since the oil pump is in the oil pan. In any case, your saying pull what ever is in the distributor hole and install my distributor and bolt up all accessories and I am good to go? I am hoping I can use my harmonic balancer too as long as it does not interfere with the different timing chain cover on the newer motors. Thanks

Oil pump pickup is in pan. Oil pump is boltes to rear main bearing cap and driven by shaft turned by pump drive and driven by cam gear. Unbolt pump drive and bolt in dizzy. Or go with crank trigger ignition.