Mercruiser 4.3 vs Chevy 4.3

[outboardnut]

Hi All
I'm still sketchy on the differences between a car motor and a mercruiser inboard. My boat has a blown 4.3. I seem to think they are basically the same and will interchange....

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 vs Chevy 4.3

They are the same basic engine. Cam is different, carbs, fuel pumps, distributors, alternators, starters are all marine specific. All the core plugs in the block are brass to prevent them corroding thru.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 vs Chevy 4.3

The car 4.3 might or might not have the heavy duty valvetrain all MerCruisers have. A truck 4.3 would be more likely than a car 4.3.

 

[outboardnut]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 vs Chevy 4.3

will the chevy cam still work ok?
Shoudl I take the time and try and salvage the mercruiser cam if I can?

 

[outboardnut]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 vs Chevy 4.3

Ok, so I need to spare the cam and heads?

 

[95yj]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3 vs Chevy 4.3

By the time you get done, it's usually much eaiser and less expensive to put a marine engine in your boat. With an automotive engine you're just changing out more stuff than it's worth. If you start with a truck engine, you're halfway there. Then you find out a mount is different or some other stupid thing and you just nickle and dime your self to death in cash and hours.

The price of a boneyard car motor looks good at first, but by the time you're done you didn't save any money. Then there's the issue of how much your time is worth.