4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

[rodgeml1]

Re: 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

Most common would be head gasket, cracked head, cracked block. Absolutely time for a pressure test on the coolant system to see what's happening.

It's starting to appear as though thats the next step. Where is the best place to plug up the system so the water doesn't exhaust out the back of the boat? Or is simply hooking the hose up to the inlet of the cooling system sufficient?

 

[JJJ]

Re: 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

Well you have water coming into the engine, plug that port. Then water going to the manifolds and risers- plug those. That should be it. Keep one port availabel to Pressurize the system and hope for the best. I am voting cracked head.

Are you seeing water in the oil??? Can you get to the oil pan drain plug? If you can, maybe drain the oil and leave the plug out to see if water comes out of the oil pan when pressurized.

I've seen a cracked block (in the lifter area and impossible to find) and cracked head. Hope it is a head at worse for you.

 

[makonnen]

Re: 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

Damned. So much for a fairytale ending. I read the new posts, will think it over and chip in my $.02

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

And the hits just keep on coming. I was removing my starter to take it to get tested and the the lug in the block where the outer starter bolt attaches broke off. Sigh. There is no evidence of a new break so this has likely been cracked for quite some time. I'm thinking it's probably the reason the starter wasn't getting good engagment with the flywheel. The water in the cylinder was locking the engine and the starter didn't have enough of a base to keep it engaging. I know some people try and weld that lug back together, but with all the corrosion and problems I'm seeing throughout the engine, I'm throwing in the towel and am going to try and get a new motor. I like the idea of a new motor so I can actually USE this boat for hopefully years to come. Will a new crate long block be an easy switch out? My current engine has a four-barrel carb and a new one would be fuel injected. Is that an easy conversion?

 

[Struc]

Re: 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

You *really* want to put a crate engine in? Aren't they like $5k+ ??

I'm not sure what to do about the broken starter mount, but there has to be a cheaper & easier way to go.

I just replaced my 4.3l motor with a motor out of a 1500 pickup truck. Took it out on the lake for the first time today and for the most part, everything went great. I probably spent less than $750 even with having to put in a electric fuel pump to replace the mechanical one, and having a full valve job & resurface done on the heads. Just food for thought.

 

[rodgeml1]

Re: 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

You *really* want to put a crate engine in? Aren't they like $5k+ ??

I'm not sure what to do about the broken starter mount, but there has to be a cheaper & easier way to go.

I just replaced my 4.3l motor with a motor out of a 1500 pickup truck. Took it out on the lake for the first time today and for the most part, everything went great. I probably spent less than $750 even with having to put in a electric fuel pump to replace the mechanical one, and having a full valve job & resurface done on the heads. Just food for thought.

Nah....I can get a brand new 4.3L with Oil Pan /Valve Covers/Timing Cover /Harmonic Balancer /Circ.-Water Pump/ 4bbl or Intake Manifold / I/O Flywheel and a Full One Year Warranty for less than 3K shipped.

I thought about using a used engine from a truck, but there just aren't many around here. And the ones that were available were around $1500. Seems a little steep for an engine I have to pull. I may be wrong though.

 

[Struc]

Re: 4.3L V6 Mercruiser Hydrolocked

Check craigslist, not junkyards. I bought 2 S10 motors for $200 each. The one I'm using now came with a Centerforce clutch I sold for $150 and the intake manifold / throttle body I sold for $100.