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  1. K

    Overhauling my 1988 MerCruiser 4.3 ltr. engine

    What you really need is a complete rotating assembly (possibly from an engine block that's been freeze busted?). Matched harmonic balancer, crankshaft, rods and pistons and flywheel. Even when the rotating assembly is matched and balanced the 4.3 are shakers. That's why the later models have...
  2. K

    Alpha 1 Gen 2 Impeller install

    My impeller kit doesn't have instructions or the top seal installation tool that sets the seal at the right pressure on the top of the housing. How tight should the seal be on top of the housing?
  3. K

    Replace timing cover without dropping pan?

    Just getting ready to reassemble my 4.3 vortec. When you say dry over night I assume you mean cover is installed but engine isn't filled with oil? Do you also use the Permatex on the oil pan seal surface and around the rear main seal area? Is the Permatex also suitable for the intake manifold...
  4. K

    4.3 Oil Drain System and Timing Cover

    I'm thinking the hose with the suction method is probably the best. I always have my engines at full op temp when I pull the drain plug. I was amazed that there was at least 1/4" of heavy sludge in the bottom of the pan when I tore down the old engine. Previous owner clearly hadn't been doing...
  5. K

    4.3 Oil Drain System and Timing Cover

    I'm in the middle of building a new 4.3 MPI. My old engine had the drain system with the hose out of the bilge plug or I could use the dipstick pump method. I'm not a fan of the hose system as it seems to drain very slowly. Is the dipstick system better? I'm thinking it should because it has...
  6. K

    4.3 MPI vs. Carb

    So my 4.3 MPI Vortec has a cracked block and I need to build a new motor. What's the HP difference if I go back to basics with a carb engine? I know I'll need a distributor, carb and intake manifold and lots of wiring mods. Anything else that I have to change? If I use flat top pistons in...
  7. K

    Repalcement 4.3 Vortec Block

    After hours of head scratching I've found a tiny hair line crack in the lifter valley of my 4.3 MPI Vortec (2004 model Alpha 1) that's been seeping antifreeze into the engine oil. I have found a 4.3 Vortec in a 1997 Chevy pickup. Would that block work for me? How about the heads? I'd...
  8. K

    Antifreeze in engine oil

    Earlier this year I changed intake manifold gaskets to try and seal it up. Still getting a small amount of antifreeze in the oil, only detectable by seeing a little residue under the oil filler cap, not turning the oil milky. Head and manifold surfaces showed some corrosion and pitting from...
  9. K

    350 Magnum Back Firing Under Load

    Been helping a friend get his engine issue worked out. Mid 90s 350 Magnum Alpha 1 Gen 2. Back fires and misses from about 2500 rpm and higher only when in the water and under load. Runs perfect on muffs on the trailer. Changed plugs, dizzy cap and rotor and ignition sensor. Put a timing light...
  10. K

    Distributor Installation

    A friend helped me do the tear down on my 2005 4.3 MPI. He pulled the distributor after I had marked it's position. He doesn't remember pulling a connector off the socket on the rear of the distributor housing. I haven't found anything to plug in there. Am I missing something?
  11. K

    Lube Oil Monitor

    2005 4.3 MPI Alpha 1. Just putting it all back together. I have two male electrical connectors on the Lube Oil Monitor and two female in the harness to connect them. Is there polarity concern?
  12. K

    2005 4.3 MPI Intake Manifold Gaskets

    Found a trace of antifreeze in the lube oil while doing an oil change yesterday. Looks like intake manifold gaskets are a problem area. Agreed? Most of the replacement job looks pretty straight forward but I'm not clear on how to disconnect the fuel hoses from the fuel rail. Also is it...
  13. K

    Installing heat exchanger

    I have a 2004 4.3 MPI/Alpha 1, raw water cooled, single point drain. I have a heat exchanger I want to install (engine only). Would anyone have a flow diagram for the current setup? Anyone done this install? Tips? Thanks!
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