4.3 Rebuild

[alldodge]

Make sure its a marine water pump, not just an automotive one. Brass internals unless your going heat exchanger then it doesn't matter.

If you have a chain hoist, a large tree, build an A frame you can remove

 

[gergAlicious]

I did consider the A frame construction route.

That engine company specializes in marine engines, but I'll do the research too!

Thanks.

 

[Scott06]

Tree as mentioned or tow truck. Also seen folks take boat to a shop with a forklift

google for reviews of any shop your thinking of any complaints you'll see them out there. I. Addition to center state rapido marine and Michigan motorz offer similar. I had a really good experince with Michigan motorz great customer service but this was for a new base engine so can't comment on reman work. I bought a new base engine because it was only $600-800 more than reman.

 

[gergAlicious]

Appreciate the feedback. I am headed in the morning to solve the lift puzzle. I was just telling my wife that you can certainly get lost in the interwebs rabbit hole searching these things - like anything else.

Will certainly pay close attention to reviews. Will also check out Michigan Motorz too.

Good thing is that the engine is ready to come out. Just the four mount nuts left to remove.

Fingers crossed I will be looking very closely at it tomorrow on a stand. Weird, both exhaust manifolds cracked, as did both heads. Intake looks good (from top) as does all of the block I can see.

Here is that bad water inlet O-ring:

 

[Scott Danforth]

Looking at the pics......ouch

 

[Scott06]

I'd be really surprised if the block wasn't reached given what u see on the heads. Look in the lifter valley just below the heads. On the intake underside of water crossover

 

[Leardriver]

I have used my pallet forks on a skid steer to pull an engine.

 

[gergAlicious]

Great success!!! Yay!!!

 

[gergAlicious]

Pictures coming shortly but this seems to be on the ‘weird’ list judging by some of the comments here. Intake looks fine, I see zero signs of any cracks.

Valley area area looks pristine and almost new.

Block looks great all over. No ill signs other than the popped core plug.

Still scares me. Looking into long bock.

 

[gergAlicious]

Valley area block shots:

Port block shot:

Starboard block shot:

Front:

Intake shots:

 

[gergAlicious]

On the stand finally.

 

[gergAlicious]

So I am certainly not a builder of marine engines. However, a builder nonetheless . . . and every thing I am seeing tells me to pop a set of heads on this thing and pressure test the water system outside of the boat. I'd even remove all the other core plugs and inspect behind, replace. I REALLY thought I'd see some cracks / problems.

 

[alldodge]

You could give it a go, the most it will cost is some gaskets and oil

 

[Bondo]

So I am certainly not a builder of marine engines. However, a builder nonetheless . . . and every thing I am seeing tells me to pop a set of heads on this thing and pressure test the water system outside of the boat. I'd even remove all the other core plugs and inspect behind, replace. I REALLY thought I'd see some cracks / problems.

Ayuh,...... Me too,.... The final Test will be a pressure test after reassembly,..... if ya throw it back together,....

Most common block crack areas are the lifter valley, 'n opposite the drain plugs, along the bottom edge of the water jacket inside the block,.....

Could be in How it froze,....
I seen it freeze, then thaw, allowin' the water to flow out a pushed core plug,.....
Alot different than a sudden sub-freezin' stretch of days,....

The crack way up high is really odd,....

Might be a good time to slap on a 4bbl. carb, 'n manifold,......

 

[gergAlicious]

Ayuh,...... Me too,.... The final Test will be a pressure test after reassembly,..... if ya throw it back together,....

Most common block crack areas are the lifter valley, 'n opposite the drain plugs, along the bottom edge of the water jacket inside the block,.....

Could be in How it froze,....
I seen it freeze, then thaw, allowin' the water to flow out a pushed core plug,.....
Alot different than a sudden sub-freezin' stretch of days,....

The crack way up high is really odd,....

Might be a good time to slap on a 4bbl. carb, 'n manifold,......

Thanks! So ‘opposite’ the drain plugs’ - meaning the inner wall behind them, up against the center cylinder walls?

 

[gergAlicious]

Would it be worth my time to pull the remaining core plugs to see what I can? I can order a whole set. The foward plug next to the one that popped out shows some movement as well. So I plan to remove it and replace.

Best way to remove them? Slidehammer with a screw in the center?

I have the alignment tool coming for the outdrive, and also a gasket. Hoping to get components ordered this week.

 

[greno]

Put it together. Pressure test it. If it passes. Try and run it on an engine run stand if you have access to one. If it runs for an hour with no issues put it in the boat. Go fishing.

 

[gergAlicious]

OK. New heads and gasket set ordered. Having a heck of a time finding more than (5) core plugs on the engine - 2 on each side and one I believe on rear. Most kits I see have upwards of 8 plugs in them - searching 4.3 Vortec, even by year. There are none on the front of the engine like a small block (maybe behind timing cover?). Puzzled . . .

 

[greno]

The freeze plugs behind the motor mounts and the one under the starter are usually the tough ones on the 4.3L. I replaced all mine with brass ones a while back.

 

[gergAlicious]

So basically one each under the motor mounts, then another behind those (2 total per side). Maybe one on the back of the block. Any others I am missing?

Where did you get your plugs greno?