"Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

The crack is about 5" long and is behind the push rods. My question is, why cant I just weld up the crack in the block??? I know its the "hillbilly" way but I only paid $1000 for the boat and not really sure I want to spend the money for a new block. I would rather sell the boat, take the loss and get a larger boat if Im going to start to put that kind of money into it.

For one.. It could be cracked in other places too..
No you can't weld it.. You can try if it makes you happy.. Drill the crack, nickle weld it, but nope won't work..

I understand the po boy way.. I am po as the next po boy.. So here is a idea..You can always head down to the junk yard and yank out a old truck engine(That 4.3l is as common as a doodle bug) that looks good.. Change out the freeze plugs and head gaskets and you are back on the water if the manifolds are not cracked.. I saw one the other day for 400 bucks.. Looked like new..

It's a boat.. Face it.. They cost money to play with.. A bigger one.. They cost more..
If you decide to get out of it.. You can strip it down and sell it for more than you paid.. Outdrive, trailer, starter, alt, power steering unit, gimble housing, carb, and wiring harness.. Shoot I just paid 80 bucks for some used motor mounts...

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Ok, so I could just find a 4.3L block from a car/truck to use?? For some reason I thought that would not work. Thanks for the tips

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Truck.... Not a car... You have to make it into a marine engine... Change the freeze plugs to brass and head gaskets and what not.. It can be done.. Do a forum search for ideas and tips..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Since the 4.3L was never used in a car, it will be from a truck.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Since the 4.3L was never used in a car, it will be from a truck.

They definitely used it in Chevy Caprices.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

They definitely used it in Chevy Caprices.

Yes...forgot about those.

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Ok, I am going to find a new block. I forgot to mention that the motor is 4.3L HO w/ Spitfire ignition. A block from a truck would still be the same correct??

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Block would be the same. Bummer that you have the Spitfire ignition.

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Ya I know. That is another reason why I debate even bothering with this motor. I now understand why the boat was so cheap!!

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

I found a 4.3 truck motor on craigslist for $500. Could I use the Long block or does only the short block work????

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

What year is it? 92 and later blocks had balance shafts so you would need to also find a different intake manifold. Also, later motors may not have a opening for the mechanical fuel pump so you would have to switch to an electric one.

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Motor is a 1990 4.3 L.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Since the 4.3L was never used in a car, it will be from a truck.

Monte Carlo too.. Or maybe you had to special order it.. NAPA sales parts for a 4.3l for one.. Maybe they are wrong. Or maybe you are..

 

[bruceb58]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Monte Carlo too.. Or maybe you had to special order it.. NAPA sales parts for a 4.3l for one.. Maybe they are wrong. Or maybe you are..

It be me!

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

So if I take this 4.3 L long block from a 1990 S-10 it should be the same correct???

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

And would it still work with the spitfire ignition?? Thanks.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

If it's cheap enough for your pocket book?. Sure it runs... Snatch it up....
Going to have to tear it down anyway.. The cams are not really identical but they say close enough to work.. Remember.. Trying to po boy it.. Going to take a bit more work than buying the correct marine engine.. You may save $500 give or take doing it this way.. I recommend ya get a engine stand if ya don't have one.. Sure will make engine ripping easier..

Does your ignition work now? If so.. Worry about the broke stuff.. Yeah it's NLA stuff.. It also may run another 20 years.. When it craps out you can always go to points.. They always work.. Or one of those new electronic HEI marine units they have now.. Oppps I forgot we are po boying it for a sec

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

And would it still work with the spitfire ignition?? Thanks.

Why do you think it wouldn't

 

[bbgun24]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Not really sure why I dont think the spitfire wouldnt work, I guess I really dont understand it. By tear it down you mean removing all the tin, replacing the head gaskets, change the freeze plugs and I should be good to go right??? I checked my exhaust manifolds last night and they looked good. I pulled the lifters out and they looked good as well. Just need to get this engine that supposedly has only 80,000 miles and use the long block. If it is from a 1990 S-10 then it should have the hole for the fuel pump right??

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: "Milkshake" oil/water coming up through valve cover vents

Sounds like you are good to go and on the right track now... Those old wing manifolds are tough bud.. Did you run anything though them to be sure they dont leak? Here is a nice read on how to check em.. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288629

If it is from a 1990 S-10 then it should have the hole for the fuel pump right??

That I am unsure of.. If not.. Use a electric pump..