4.3 OMC -The Engine Froze

[jdmiller]

I bought a boat with a 1987 4.3 OMC setup in it. The guy I bought it from claimed he didn't know much about it and hadn't run it since last spring. Well he didn't winterize it, that is now clear. It has a pretty bad crack in the block...where it had been welded before, so I am going to replace the engine. S&S Engine Rebuilders (a.k.a Rebuilt-Marine Engines on the web) in WA seem to have the best price and the Better Business Bureau lists them as a memeber and in good standing so I guess I will go with a engine from them. Both exhaust manifolds have a hairline cracks in them so my first question is can I get these welded? I realize they are cast but I know some welders will weld cast. I am also worried that water froze in the drive unit an runied something there. When I ran the engine (on dry land with water to it) I only noticed water coming from the block and didn't notice any from the drive but after I saw the cracked block I shut it down pretty fast, so I may have missed it. Just curious what the likelyhood of drive damage is. Any opinions?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 4.3 OMC -The Engine Froze

Actually your drive may be just fine assuming it had no leaks so that there is no water in the oil. Most of us drain the drive oil in the fall and fill with fresh oil. You will need to pull the drain screw and check the oil for water.

 

[jdmiller]

Re: 4.3 OMC -The Engine Froze

Hey, thanks for the response. The oil in the drive looks good. Maybe a little bit dark but still pretty clear and no signs of water. Maybe I will be saved the cost of that at least. I know I should look at the bellows and check the shift cable while I am down there. Should I look at anything else why I have the drive apart?

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: 4.3 OMC -The Engine Froze

Since you will have the drive off, yes check all 3 bellows,(exhaust, drive shaft, shift cable) feel the gimbal bearing for smoothness, replace if rough, check U-joints. If there is any water in the drive shaft bellows change gimbal and u-joints. I would also replace the raw water pump impeller even if it looks good then you will know you are starting out with a good one and of course change the drive oil.

 

[jdmiller]

Re: 4.3 OMC -The Engine Froze

Well, this was a big weekend for the project. The engine came out pretty well on saturday morning and I spent the rest of the day swapping parts on to the new long block. I put the new engine in yesterday and got it aligned and tight. I also was able to get the fuel system, intake and valve covers done. Water pump, Power steering, exhaust and a lot of electrical is about all that is left. I'll leave a post on after the test run.