4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

[JasonGS]

I have this motor in my boat and I'm seeing alot of negativity saying don't get it? Was it a bad choice?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

I have this motor in my boat and I'm seeing alot of negativity saying don't get it? Was it a bad choice?

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Whatcha been hearin' 'bout it,..??

Nothin' wrong with a 4.3l,.... it's the OMC thing,... they've been outa business for well over a decade now...

 

[JasonGS]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

Hearing just don't buy... I don't want to invest any money if its not good... I bought the my 1994 with the 4'3h.o for 1800 and the injury issue is a broken ...should i still go threw with it?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

I bought the my 1994 with the 4'3h.o for 1800 and the injury issue is a broken ...should i still go threw with it?

What,..??..??

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

Why don't you post some model numbers of your engine and drive. Being a 94, it could be good or bad (depending on the drive), and do it in a language the rest of us can understand.

 

[JasonGS]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

Why don't you post some model numbers of your engine and drive. Being a 94, it could be good or bad (depending on the drive), and do it in a language the rest of us can understand.

Sorry was typing from a phone... I was hearing that just do not buy anything that is OMC.. My issue is I don't want to invest money into my motor if it really isn't worth it... I bought a 1994 Marlin w/ a 4.3h.o. vortex for 1800.00... The only reason why it was sold so cheap was because the guy didn't know what the issue was... So over the weekend I took apart the motor to figure out what the problem was and I came to find out the rocker arm stud had been sheered off.. Is it worth me fixing the motor or not???

Block number: 10235359

I can't seem to find the model number of the boat at all on the block..

Sorry about the confusion..

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

Sorry was typing from a phone... I was hearing that just do not buy anything that is OMC.. My issue is I don't want to invest money into my motor if it really isn't worth it... I bought a 1994 Marlin w/ a 4.3h.o. vortex for 1800.00... The only reason why it was sold so cheap was because the guy didn't know what the issue was... So over the weekend I took apart the motor to figure out what the problem was and I came to find out the rocker arm stud had been sheered off.. Is it worth me fixing the motor or not???

Block number: 10235359

I can't seem to find the model number of the boat at all on the block..

Sorry about the confusion..

Ayuh,.... Yer in for $1800. now,... The only way out is fix it....

I'd throw a used head on it, matchin' castin' numbers, 'n call it sold...

I wouldn't waste the effort of swappin' in a long block...

A boat with an OMC will sell cheap,....

A boat with a Dead motor has No value, but scrap/ salvage...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

look in salvage yards for S-10's of the same vintage. should be able to get a head cheep.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

I can't seem to find the model number of the boat at all on the block..

Model number of the engine, not the boat. Could care less about the boat, it's not OMC, the engine and drive are. Pictures of the drive would be extremely helpful at this point.

 

[JasonGS]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

The motor ran fine even with a broken stud just loss of HP... I'm getting the head fixed and all gaskets and push rods.. Total for the fix is around 200...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

Post a picture of your drive!!!

 

[JasonGS]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

You didn't post pictures of the drive but the first picture does show you have the older dog clutch Cobra and not the newer Volvo style SX. That's too bad.

 

[JasonGS]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

What's so bad about that.? I don't have pictures of the drive right now so i put up what i had..

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

What's so bad about that.? I don't have pictures of the drive right now so i put up what i had..

you cant get parts for old OMC units. you can get parts for the SX

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

What's so bad about that.? I don't have pictures of the drive right now so i put up what i had..

Its an obsolete drive with numerous problems that is not made anymore and will have future parts issues.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

I don't think you are understanding the question. The engine is a General Motors 4.3 V6 and is an excellent engine. OMC didn't build it or the boat. OMC bought the engine from GM, attached it to the OMC outdrive which is what the question is. Which "drive" do you have. Since OMC went out of business years ago, many "drive" parts are not available. The engine is repairable but unless you get the broken stud out, you will need a new/used head. Since the outdrive is of questionable value, only you can can determine whether the boat is worth fixing. My thought would be to repair what appears to be a very clean engine and transplant it into a different boat that with anything but an OMC drive but has a bad 4.3 engine. Or part out what you have to cover your investment.

 

[QC]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

That setup is eligible for an SEI conversion to a Merc Alpha (knockoff) when necessary, so there is a way out later on . . . Just looking at the bright side. Still costly, but doable.

 

[JasonGS]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

Where can i find the conversion?

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 h.o vortex good or bad?

If the drive is working, you don't need to convert it or anything. But, you have to take care of it, change the gear lube, keep impellers in it, pull the drive and do the maintenance, and you should be in good shape.
Then, if the drive does fail somewhere along the line you can worry about a conversion or whatever or replacement. There are plenty of aftermarket parts for what you have.

The time to worry about what people say about an engine and drive is BEFORE you buy it, not after. Take care of what you have and you may never need a replacement drive or engine.