4.3 Engine Swap Timing Cover

[AShipShow]

Hi all,
I'm new around these parts and I just acquired my first boat, a 95 Stingray 606zp. Got a good price on it because it had a cracked block so after doing some scouting around these parts I determined my best route was to get a used 4.3 from a truck which I did. Found a low mileage 89 S10 2wd with a smooth running motor. Got the motor back and stripped it down to start swapping parts. First issue I ran into was the harmonic balancer didn't fit because the truck motor had a smaller diameter balancer so the marine balancer hit the timing tab on the cover. So this meant I know had to remove the timing cover (okay because it forced me to replace the seal and gasket) to find out that i had to now drop the oil pan because the timing cover seals on the bottom with the oil pan gasket. Next, we went to bolt up the timing cover from the marine motor... DIFFERENT bolt pattern!? ughhh... so now I had to cut the timing tab off the truck cover so I could reuse it so now I'm going to have to figure out how to determine timing. Next issue was the intake manifold didn't seat completely on the heads, the casting was slightly too wide and I had to actually grind material off the intake manifold to get it to seat...

Point of the story is, there were more issues that I expected based on what I read around here. And does anyone know of any other potential issues I could have from this point forward. Fortunately I did confirm the bell housing fits which I expected, but just want to make sure I won't see any other problems...

Thanks everyone for the wealth of info. I went from knowing 0 about boats a month ago and know feeling like I have a decent grasp.

Jross

 

[Bt Doctur]

First issue I ran into was the harmonic balancer didn't fit because the truck motor had a smaller diameter balancer so the marine balancer hit the timing tab on the cover.
use the balancer that came with the motor

intake manifold didn't seat completely on the heads, the casting was slightly too wide and I had to actually grind material off the intake manifold to get it to seat...

Its not going to seat like that

 

[AShipShow]

No, i didn't mess with the mating area of the manifold, I just had to remove a small amount of material... I'll try to figure out to upload a picture

 

[achris]

Sounds like you're trying to replace a balance shaft engine with a non-balance shaft engine. You need to replace with an engine of the same year. Post your original engine serial number and we can tell you the year.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Looks like the OP has a 95, which would be balance shaft, but (probably) no Vortec heads. He will have some difficulties, as noted. WIll never get an intake to seat if it needs grinding. That grinding to clear the balance shaft? Should be a 12 bolt intake he has, same for both engines and heads.