4.3L OMC engine swap time

Joshua Nichols

Joshua Nichols

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

You don't have a core... A cracked block isn't a rebuild-able core.. So why would they want it? Something doesn't sound right..... You told em your block is known to be cracked right?
 
J

jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

bruceb58 said:
So why aren't you using that block for the rebuild?
Click to expand...
I may not be using the terms block/core correctly. Basically I'm going to walk in with my small block, which is cracked, and walk out with a re-manufactured small block using at least my camshaft since I asked them for that.

Joshua Nichols said:
You don't have a core... A cracked block isn't a rebuild-able core.. So why would they want it? Something doesn't sound right..... You told em your block is known to be cracked right?
Click to expand...

Yes they know the block is cracked.

Probably they remachine the crank, cam, pistons if possible. http://citymotorsupply.com/machineshop.htm
 
Joshua Nichols

Joshua Nichols

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

And how much is all that together?

Sounds like a crazy to good to be true deal... Do it and tell us how it goes...
 
E

EricDavis

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

I would steer clear of Michigan Motorz. I made the mistake of purchasing a 4.3L Vortec V6 4bbl engine from them. It lasted through the break-in period the rest of the first season and blew a head gasket and damaged the cylinder in early July of the next season, just 2 months out of warranty. They wouldn't help and treated me like crap. Over a year later and after constant badgering, they finally agreed to rebuild the engine, but I had to pay for a new block. It's on its way back to me, but has no warranty at all. Wish me luck. I guess we all have to pay stupid tax from time to time.
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

Picking up my new rebuilt block and valve-job'd heads on saturday. mid 700's for a price tag. they used my old cam. what gaskets am I going to need?
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

jpwdesigns said:
Picking up my new rebuilt block and valve-job'd heads on saturday. mid 700's for a price tag. they used my old cam. what gaskets am I going to need?
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... Are ya gettin' it as a Long Block,..?? heads On,..?? tin On,..??
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

Small block, heads off. Tin off, sitting in my garage. So I'll be putting everything back together basically. Any advice about gaskets?

- Should i drop 300 on all new gaskets from a boat online retailer?
- Or can I just do the gasket maker in some cases?
- Or will auto gaskets work in some places?

I tried to find a thread on this. Should make a good sticky if we could compile a list of gaskets which should be marine grade / auto grade / gasketmaker etc....



Bond-o said:
Ayuh,.... Are ya gettin' it as a Long Block,..?? heads On,..?? tin On,..??
Click to expand...
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

Got it back. They had to replace the head core on one of the heads b/c it was cracked. Got it back and realized they used a core from a 87 head but mine are 86. They changed when they went to 87. See http://www.enginepartswarehouse.com/enginecatalog/GENERALMOTORS.PDF
and http://www.s10forum.com/Rebuilding_the_Chevy_262.htm The second link the guy says:
There have been several cylinder heads used on the 262 since it began in '85. Some of the changes appear to be minor, but most of them will create problems if the wrong head is used in the wrong place. Here's an overview year by year:

1985 - 1986: The 1985 and '86 engines used a 14079248 casting. It had two holes on one end and three on the other end.

1987 - 1991 TRUCK, EXCEPT HEAVY DUTY AND '87-'93 CARS: These heads were the same as the earlier ones except that they had three bolt holes on both ends. The intake surface above the ports was quite narrow; it's only about 0.250" wide. The unmachined, cast ledge on the top edge of the head was 0.600" wide. Look for c/n 14094768, 10144103, 14099067 or 12553050. All of these heads had adjustable rockers.
Click to expand...

Bold underlined is what he gave me but mine was the bold underlined from 86. What do you think? Do I need to go back down there or am I ok. Says the bolt pattern went to a 2 hole to a 3 hole in 87. I cant remember what bolts to the heads to know if I'm going to be F'd when I get this thing all bolted back together.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

jpwdesigns said:
Small block, heads off. Tin off, sitting in my garage. So I'll be putting everything back together basically. Any advice about gaskets?

- Should i drop 300 on all new gaskets from a boat online retailer?
- Or can I just do the gasket maker in some cases?
- Or will auto gaskets work in some places?

I tried to find a thread on this. Should make a good sticky if we could compile a list of gaskets which should be marine grade / auto grade / gasketmaker etc....
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Get yer gaskets from wherever ya want,... I get mine at my local Napa...
Go for Quality,... Ya can't go wrong with Fel-pro's....
Use composite head gaskets, a quality intake set, 'n you'll need a 1 pc. marine type exhaust manifold set...
Sillicone is only used on the Intake manifold ends,... otherwise use the Right gasket...

Got it back. They had to replace the head core on one of the heads b/c it was cracked.
Click to expand...

Well,..... If ya gotta buy Heads,....
Throw in the price of a new intake manifold, 'n go with a set of post-96 Vortec Heads,... 20hp, pretty much for free....
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

Thanks Bond-o! The NAPA tip is fantastic. I had been going to autozone or oreilly's both which suck for boat stuff. I got on NAPA's site on my phone and ordered 150$ worth of gaskets that will ship to my local store for pickup.

On another note... I got to looking at the engine coupling and the rear of the engine block and I'm wondering how these parts are supposed to mesh up. Here is my coupling http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/pc/VOL3858437/OMCEM and here is a drawing of what i'm curious about:
Untitled-1.jpg

I'm wondering if they didn't give me back something different than what I brought in. Maybe i'm just worrying like a little girl....hope so.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

jpwdesigns said:
Thanks Bond-o! The NAPA tip is fantastic. I had been going to autozone or oreilly's both which suck for boat stuff. I got on NAPA's site on my phone and ordered 150$ worth of gaskets that will ship to my local store for pickup.

On another note... I got to looking at the engine coupling and the rear of the engine block and I'm wondering how these parts are supposed to mesh up. Here is my coupling http://bpi.ebasicpower.com/pc/VOL3858437/OMCEM and here is a drawing of what i'm curious about:
View attachment 139361

I'm wondering if they didn't give me back something different than what I brought in. Maybe i'm just worrying like a little girl....hope so.
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... The Chevy crankshaft has a Pocket, Not a Lip at the pto flange....
The nub of the coupler fits into the pocket....
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

Ok well i'm a dumb *****, the issue i was on about with the coupling is a non issue. that space i was worried about is where the freakin fly wheel goes. :facepalm:

BUT! on a better note, I just bolted on the heads tonight. :D
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

WTF! one of the holes that the hydraulic lifters goes in is not right. The lifter wont go all the way in. it stops just shy of the bottom of the hole. I don't understand how this is possible since it's a reman block so logic says that at one time a lifter fit in there but now after getting the block reman'd it wont? What should I do? I've already got the heads on and reallllly don't want to tear it apart or go back to the shop. Losing my respect for the shop, not the only issue i've seen so far with their work on this engine....anyway it is what it is. Can I take some uber fine sand paper to the bottom of the hole where the lifter is getting stuck? Ideas?
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

Hi everyone who has chipped in on this thread.
Just wanted to say thank you for your advice and help. Sunday my new engine made its maiden voyage. Its running great, I'm looking forward to many fun times ahead with friends and family.
 
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wcasey5

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

What did you do to resolve the lifter issue?
 
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jpwdesigns

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Re: 4.3L OMC engine swap time

wcasey5 said:
What did you do to resolve the lifter issue?
Click to expand...

I took some 600 grit sand paper and worked the inside of the hole until i could slide the lifter in easily. Then I got down on my hands and knees. :redface:
 
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