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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I would be replacing my manifolds. They froze and were repaired by the previous owners. I wouldn't want to put them back on. Is there a large advantage of dry joints in freshwater? I was under the understanding that manifolds can last decades in freshwater
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    That much to rebuild myself? Ouch. I can buy a long block for $2k. I was assuming it would be cheaper to do it myself. I wouldn't be doing it simply for the great learning experience. Budget is the largest factor here. This is buying a rebuilt long block? I can get one for $2000 delivered. Is...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    One local pull apart has a few motors for $199 plus $75 core and $60 if I want a 90 day warranty. 2 full sized pickups and an s10. Is there a preference between vehicles out comes out of? Will the full sized trucks have a more appropriate cam?
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I tend to overthink things. Sometimes it is helpful, most of the time it seems not so much 😅 The idea scares me ignorance is bliss, right? 🙃 I will need to get some 5200. I'm thinking I can probably skip winter maintenance on the motor, aside from draining the block of course. I guess I can...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I do my best, but unfortunately it is sometimes difficult to find out exactly when things happened for each boat make and model. Lots of conflicting information out there, but I do my best to find things out
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Motor size is 4.3L and fresh water only. I think any structural work is beyond what I want to tackle and would sooner scrap the boat, but everything seems fine structurally at the moment. It's definitely not perfect, but it is adequate for us for now.
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I read through that, but it seems mostly relevant if you are trying to change over internals between models. Am I wrong here? If I buy a long block, how much does it matter that the internals are different? I see the heads and intake might be different, but what else is relevant to swapping a...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    I've noticed. Everyone wants a fortune for their boats right now. I was thinking it was off. Most people I had read about were hitting close to 40mph at wot What determines how much diy is? The machine shop? I guess I just figured rebuilt would be kind of standard in parts needed. Any reason I...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Thanks for the detailed response! I forgot the top of the serial number. s/n 0B459735. Not sure what you mean by model number. It's says "185" on the flame arrestor cover. Pretty sure when I looked it up for parts on catalogue it was only made in the year 1987. Yeah I figured. We bought it for...
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    1987 Merc 4.3 Rebuild or replace?

    Long story short, my 1987 Four Winns Sundowner 195 developed a knock/rattle this summer when it ran low on oil (for more on that, see my other thread). My wife and I are contemplating cutting our losses as we were considering buying something a bit newer and more in the 23 foot range (really...
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    Broken coupling release lever

    Mine isn't bolted on. I would prefer to just replace the latch (obviously). If I buy new, I won't get an actuator. The brakes don't work, and I think I'll just switch to electric
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    Broken coupling release lever

    Long story short, I tried to put a double hitch on my vehicle to have a bone rack as well as tow my boat. Being the dummy I am, I got it to fit just barely with the clearance. Clearance was done for driving straight, but not for turning. The rack caught the release lever on turns and broke it...
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    Knocking 4.3 merc

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    Knocking 4.3 merc

    I checked it out with the scope. At least there isn't a hole in the piston. Nobody loans out leak down testers that I know of. I'll link the borescope videos in case anyone wants to look at them. Harder to maneuver those things than I thought it would be. There are a few scrapes on the cylinder...
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    Boat winterized and summarized each year but not used in 5 years

    Seems someone bought the boat without firing it up. Hopefully it works out OK for them
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    Knocking 4.3 merc

    I ordered a borescope and will check that out when it comes in.
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    Boat winterized and summarized each year but not used in 5 years

    I guess I didn't specify in the post. It is a 5.0 merc on a 1994 sea ray overnighter 200. The fuel tank is 30 gallons internal.
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    Boat winterized and summarized each year but not used in 5 years

    I'm certainly not going to buy a boat without starting it up...how do I connect an external gas can?
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    Boat winterized and summarized each year but not used in 5 years

    How would I run it on a can? And how would I safely run it on a can for a water test?
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    Boat winterized and summarized each year but not used in 5 years

    I asked about the gas, he didn't know but just said "I trust the mechanic who did the work and it started up"
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