1986 4.3 Cracked Intake Manifold - please help with recommendations for 4 barrel combo

[Biggvs_Richardvs]

Hi all, I used the wrong bolt that was too long on my thermostat housing and when I torqued it down it cracked my manifold.

It looks like for about the same money (or not a whole lot more) as a used original, I can buy a new intake manifold and 4 barrel carb.

Can someone recommend models that will work on this engine? Prefer reliability/longevity over performance. Just want to go troll for some salmon.

Much appreciated,
Sheldon

 

[alldodge]

Is the motor raw water cooled and are you in salt water?

 

[Biggvs_Richardvs]

Is the motor raw water cooled and are you in salt water?

Yes. Salt water, raw cooled.

 

[alldodge]

I would get a cast iron manifold. Can get a coated aluminum but would not recommend it (other opinions will be along shortly)

They are no longer made, but can get one on ebay 2 or 4 bbl
4bbl is Q-jet

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would upgrade to vortec heads unless you can find a marine manifold from edelbrock for the early heads. Edelbrock has dual alloy marine manifolds with naval bronze water passages and the rest is aluminum.

 

[Lou C]

You can also find used GM cast iron intakes on eBay, I picked one for my old 4.3 because I thought it would have rusted through by now but it’s still good! I do check it every year.

 

[Biggvs_Richardvs]

I would upgrade to vortec heads unless you can find a marine manifold from edelbrock for the early heads. Edelbrock has dual alloy marine manifolds with naval bronze water passages and the rest is aluminum.

Would you happen to have more info on those edelbrock manifolds and vortec heads?
Would this qualify for the head?:

BARE GM CYLINDER HEAD 4.3L 262 V6 VORTEC Fits Mercury Marine Engines | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for BARE GM CYLINDER HEAD 4.3L 262 V6 VORTEC Fits Mercury Marine Engines at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.ca

How about this for the manifold?

Edelbrock 2111 Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifolds | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifolds with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Intake Manifolds, Carbureted at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[Biggvs_Richardvs]

Just to be clear, my thinking is that if I have to buy a new manifold, I'd rather get a newer one, for four barrel because it sounds like a 4bbl runs a lot smoother at idle.

The little 3 bbl POS on there now is new and it still won't idle worth a crap. I'm sure I'm doing/not doing something to tune it or whatever, but if a 4bbl just works I'd rather go with that.

 

[Lou C]

Those are Vortec heads but they are bare heads no valves installed.

 

[Lou C]

But the manifold is for the old style heads. Vortec uses only 8 bolts for the intake but pre Vortec uses 12.
That manifold while it is for your heads, may not work on the OMC you have because the stat housing is shifted to the port side & might interfere with the high mounted alternator that OMC used.
If I were you I’d just get a GM cast iron Pre Vortec (12 bolt) 4bbl intake off of eBay and get an Edelbrock 1409 or a Holley 4160 with the side mount fuel line (that will clear the stat housing). You may have to do some fabbing with fuel lines & throttle cable but the 4 bbl is 100% worth it IMO…..

 

[Scott Danforth]

Here is the marine Edelbrock intake for vortec heads. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/edl-2519

The non vortec marine version is NLA. The street version (2111) is available.

Here is a set of GM 4.3 vortec heads fully assembled

Genuine GM Chevrolet GMC 4.3L LV3 GDI Cylinder Heads Assembly SET / PAIR | eBay

THIS ONLY FITS THE DIRECT INJECTION LV3 ENGINE. This warranty does NOT cover the following - New valve stem seals installed on all our heads & all valve guides are replaced with new ones as necessary.

www.ebay.com

 

[Lou C]

MERCRUISER 4.3 L (V6) FACTORY 4 BBL INTAKE MANIFOLD | eBay

THIS IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. FITS ABOVE MODELS. MAY NEED CLEANED UP ALITTLE.

www.ebay.com

they are rarely this cheap, this will fit your engine....