4.3 Rebuild

[Lou C]

I think Merc says to use Perfect Seal on the head bolt threads which is the same as OMC gasket sealer. Permatex Aviation is similar but not identical.

 

[gergAlicious]

I got the SELOC manual in today. Initial thoughts are that it is one of the most thorough repair manuals I have purchased.

Good friend is a SnapOn rep - grabbed a thread chaser from him today and prepped the head bolt holes. Ready to mount them tomorrow.

Grabbed oil, filter and water/fuel separator today. Plugs and thermostat tomorrow.

 

[gergAlicious]

 

[Bondo]

I got the SELOC manual in today. Initial thoughts are that it is one of the most thorough repair manuals I have purchased.

Ayuh,..... The finest knee-pads for workin' in gravel parkin' lots,... No doubt,.....

I find the free merc factory manuals much more thorough,....

The link to 'em can be found by clickin' Don'S Adults Only Section in my signature,....

 

[gergAlicious]

Ya, I guess there are better out there? But as far as manuals go, this one seems pretty thorough. I've had some really **** poor ones in the past. I did dig around some of the manuals here - looked good also, but didn't see my year model. I did read that most of it was the same from earlier, but I saw so many differences between what I have (engine wise) and 90% of pics / tutorials online that I figured owning a manual wasn't a bad idea.

Core plugs showed up today - that was a surprise, but the water pump won't be here until Monday.

Neither marine shop in town stocks thermostats or plugs. Cleaned and testing my thermostat now.

Shop vac + tubing worked VERY well getting the finer silt out of the block!

As usual - thanks for all the feedback / comments / tips!

 

[gergAlicious]

Well, got my shipping numbers mixed up. Water pump and core plugs showed up. The darn gasket set was the first thing ordered. Shipped from south FL plumb past me to Dallas. Left Dallas a day ago (4 hrs away). eBay says expected today, but USPS site says by 8pm Tuesday. Argh!!!!!!

Luckily the water pump came with its own gaskets. Atleast I can do something LOL

 

[gergAlicious]

Water jackets are all clean. Pump back on.

 

[gergAlicious]

Two Questions

Hi all - I jsut found a decent price on a remote oil filter Mercruiser kit for my 4.3. I am wondering what the large oil hose and 90* elbow are for? See pic below:

Also - the last component that I want to proactively replace is the cap, rotor and plug wires. Any suggestion on good components to use?

 

[gergAlicious]

First set back, but not all is lost. I purchased a gasket set that said 'Marine / Mercruiser' for my 4.3. I contacted Mahle to verify the head gasket was OK to use in the kit (after the fact, my fault), and of course they said no. I need 5775 gaskets (their part number).

They said it was a graphite gasket and I needed stainless steel - and I have read that before. My question is this - the gaskets that came off of the engine were definitely graphite. Even left the same black residue on the block that these gaskets are coated in. Was there some point in time evolution for the OE engines? Did Mercruiser really take GM engines and replace the head gaskets with SS? Were they purpose built for Mercruiser using the correct head gaskets up front, or is the stainless steel a 'should have used originally' after thought? And now an upgrade?

Just curious - working to rectify now.

Thanks!

 

[alldodge]

Belay that, it was another thread

Just look for Felpro marine gasket, will look it up and get back with

 

[gergAlicious]

Thanks! I went back and couldn't find your comment.

I find Felpro 17010 to be the marine gasket. Local parts store can have them here tomorrow.

Just find it weird that the gaskets that came off seem identical to what I got in this set. Was only trying to understand - not disagreeing with advice here.

 

[alldodge]

Fel Pro 17210 several places have them

https://www.jegs.com/i/Fel-Pro/375/...LYAwQfCLxX48XYY9G2POGYGSF2GhdfxBoCUTAQAvD_BwE

 

[gergAlicious]

Thanks! Looks like that is the top end set, likely has the 17010 head gasket pair in the set.

 

[gergAlicious]

AllDodge - to take it one step farther - in your experience, do the FelPro gaskets need to be coated like I have read? I have read that some gaskets do and some do not, depending on composition?

 

[alldodge]

No, put them on clean and dry no coating and no oil

 

[gergAlicious]

Many thanks. They will be in hand at 7am. Exhaust manifolds and starter showed up today.

Remote oil filter kit shows up Thursday.

Still need cap, rotor and wires.

Time to get busy!!!!

 

[gergAlicious]

Quicksilver cap and wires on the way. Plugs too. That (I hope) concludes the parts ordering.

 

[gergAlicious]

Is there some 'marine' magic in the thermostat housing gasket for the 4.3? I saw the little brass orifices in them next to the bolt holes, figured they may be a crush preventative?

Can one be made or will a standard automotive gasket work?

 

[Bondo]

I saw the little brass orifices in them next to the bolt holes, figured they may be a crush preventative?

Ayuh,.... Those rivets provide Ground for the temp sender,.....

 

[gergAlicious]

Wow, didn’t consider that. Thanks! I suppose (haven’t read instructions yet) if any sealant is used then you have to be careful not to get it on those? Not to insulate the ground.