1997 5.7L thunderbolt ignition. Slow crank

[findinghomer]

Oh and if I am able to do this, can change into one that's fuel injected? Or will that give me a bunch of incompatible headaches?

 

[nola mike]

Oh and if I am able to do this, can change into one that's fuel injected? Or will that give me a bunch of incompatible headaches?

A truck cam works fine, may need a composite head gasket and brass core plugs, though my 2003 block already had both. Stick with a carb. Your 97 may or may not be a vortec engine. If you got a newer vortec block and combine it with a 4bbl carb that would be a nice upgrade. Otherwise you'd need a non vortec block or swap your heads over.

 

[findinghomer]

A truck cam works fine, may need a composite head gasket and brass core plugs, though my 2003 block already had both. Stick with a carb. Your 97 may or may not be a vortec engine. If you got a newer vortec block and combine it with a 4bbl carb that would be a nice upgrade. Otherwise you'd need a non vortec block or swap your heads over.

Here are a couple pictures from inside of my spark plug hole.. is that yellow stuff rust? I did spray WD-40 in all of the spark plug holes. And should those be in that position?

 

[findinghomer]

If those tell you anything and you need some better pictures I can get some later it just got really hot out and I couldn't concentrate getting a better shot, my camera it's not that great

 

[alldodge]

Looks like rust to be

 

[findinghomer]

Looks like rust to be

Is it worth squirting some PB blaster in there?

 

[alldodge]

Is it worth squirting some PB blaster in there?

No
Your motor is acting like a bull dozer I bought. It would crank but only slowly. After doing most of the stuff you did, I pulled the valve cover like Mike mentioned and found water. After that I pulled, rebuilt and reinstalled the motor.

The cylinder walls were rusted up bad. This is why I wondered if the oil level was correct. Water floats to the bottom and you will not see it on the dipstick but it will raise the level

 

[alldodge]

CAT 3204 motor

 

[findinghomer]

CAT 32View attachment 417815View attachment 417816View attachment 41781704 motor

Oh wow, nice work! So the first picture is with the valve cover off the second picture is with the head removed?

 

[alldodge]

Yes

 

[findinghomer]

Yes

Ok. So I guess I'm going to start working on trying to find a new engine, And plan for eventually replacing it. But just out of curiosity on compatibility, if I were to find something like this , which looks like it's a complete drop in engine with all of the accessories , hoses, cables etc already attached and complete , this will bolt right into my boat since I'm taking a 350 out of it?
But I to were get one used from a salvage yard out of a vehicle, the base block will bolt right in, but I may need to scrounge around looking for mercruiser parts because my old ones may not bolt to that particular engine?