4.3 engine question

third times the charm

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Just a quick question, just want to make sure of my gut feeling if you will.


Can I use a block out of a car or truck for my marine base engine? I have already plan on rebuilding, so I will put In a marine cam shaft, and freeze plugs. I have a complete top assembly as my current block is cracked. Looking to build a 4.3
Just looking to save a little cash, and they are easier to come by in vehicle form then marine around me
 

tpenfield

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Yes, the blocks are the same, generally speaking

You should be OK.
 

Bondo

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Just a quick question, just want to make sure of my gut feeling if you will.


Can I use a block out of a car or truck for my marine base engine? I have already plan on rebuilding, so I will put In a marine cam shaft, and freeze plugs. I have a complete top assembly as my current block is cracked. Looking to build a 4.3
Just looking to save a little cash, and they are easier to come by in vehicle form then marine around me

Ayuh,.... Whatcha startin' out with, as for Vintage,..??

Up-datin' to a Vortec is worth the effort....
 

third times the charm

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Well bond-o I have a 88 vintage motor setup. Still has carb, which is what I plan on keeping. Re powering my Starcraft holiday with it. I do have all the components just my block is cracked. Don't really need the power and the expense of upgrading to a vortex.
 

Bondo

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Well bond-o I have a 88 vintage motor setup. Still has carb, which is what I plan on keeping. Re powering my Starcraft holiday with it. I do have all the components just my block is cracked. Don't really need the power and the expense of upgrading to a vortex.

Ayuh,... Ya gotta Buy a motor anyways, buy a truck motor 'tween '96, 'n '00,....

It'll bolt right in,... you'll need a different intake manifold, 'n a electric fuel pump,....

Ya get the roller cam, 'n the vortec heads...
 

third times the charm

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Do have one question, if I find a complete votec motor. Then I would need to do is get a carb intake for it and install a marine cam, marine freeze plugs, and marine head gaskets. No other mods would be needed?
 

Bondo

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Do have one question, if I find a complete votec motor. Then I would need to do is get a carb intake for it and install a marine cam, marine freeze plugs, and marine head gaskets. No other mods would be needed?

Ayuh,.... I'd leave the cam, 'n head gaskets alone,... use the brass core plugs...

You'll need an intake manifold to match whatever carb ya got/ want, 'n an electric fuel pump set-up...

The later blocks don't have a mechanical fuel pump hole...

Yer swappin' Only the Long Blocks,... everything else will be what you've got...
 

third times the charm

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Ayuh,.... I'd leave the cam, 'n head gaskets alone,... use the brass core plugs...

You'll need an intake manifold to match whatever carb ya got/ want, 'n an electric fuel pump set-up...

The later blocks don't have a mechanical fuel pump hole...

Yer swappin' Only the Long Blocks,... everything else will be what you've got...

Thank you for the info, bond-o. I will keep up the progress on my thread, and let ya know how the performance inhancements come from the power train up grade in the sc.
 

thumpar

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Find a junk yard that has some Safari/Astro vans. There are tons of them out there. The cam will work fine. Some people say to change out the head gaskets but that is up to you. The core plugs do need to be changed. Make sure you use the old parts you have for the ignition and electrical part for marine use.
 

third times the charm

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Re: 4.3 engine question

Yah thumpar, already been looking online at my local pull-a-part inventory. All kinds of Astros, s-10, etc available. Just take my pick. Very cheap too.
 
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