4.3 Rebuild, lifters?

[Mithories3980]

Short back story...
1990 4.3 fuel pump went out...main bearings were screaming for mercy so now shes on the shop floor getting some surgery.
If I remember correctly, it was a bad knock and I believe a tick somewhere but I really didnt pin point it, I knew a rebuild was in her future anyway.

So, the parts are now all at Arnold Motor Supply to be checked to see how big of a deal this is. From what I know and can see, it's not bad bad, but they know more than me. I may need a new crank but I have another 4.3 that has pretty good parts so that won't be an issue.

Anyway, the gentlemen there, in our conversation said that after this happening and all the metal shavings involved, replacing the roller lifters is almost a necessity. I wanted to know what your guys' input on that is.

I also want to know where I should get them because the source i was planning to use wants $116 a piece. If that's even close to what I need to pay, I'm just gonna give it up for the season and save up to buy a reman short block. Would going to solid lifters or even plain hydraulics be an option?

 

[Bt Doctur]

https://www.summitracing.com/search...Default&SortOrder=Ascending&autoview=SKU&ar=1

 

[achris]

...1990 4.3 fuel pump went out...main bearings were screaming for mercy ...

Fuel pumps going out don't affect oil supply to the main bearings (or any bearings)...

????

Chris..........

 

[Bondo]

Fuel pumps going out don't affect oil supply to the main bearings (or any bearings)...

????

Chris..........

Ayuh,..... Except when the motor oil is more gas than oil,.......

 

[achris]

Ayuh,..... Except when the motor oil is more gas than oil,.......

Ahhh, so it was an automotive pump... :facepalm:

 

[tank1949]

Short back story...
1990 4.3 fuel pump went out...main bearings were screaming for mercy so now shes on the shop floor getting some surgery.
If I remember correctly, it was a bad knock and I believe a tick somewhere but I really didnt pin point it, I knew a rebuild was in her future anyway.

So, the parts are now all at Arnold Motor Supply to be checked to see how big of a deal this is. From what I know and can see, it's not bad bad, but they know more than me. I may need a new crank but I have another 4.3 that has pretty good parts so that won't be an issue.

Anyway, the gentlemen there, in our conversation said that after this happening and all the metal shavings involved, replacing the roller lifters is almost a necessity. I wanted to know what your guys' input on that is.

I also want to know where I should get them because the source i was planning to use wants $116 a piece. If that's even close to what I need to pay, I'm just gonna give it up for the season and save up to buy a reman short block. Would going to solid lifters or even plain hydraulics be an option?

For roller cam or per each lifter? Insane, if for each lifter! I'd install a high output oil pump for marine applications. I'd also TIG oil pump pick up tube to main oil pump body. I haven't rebuilt an engine in years but if my memory serves me correctly the oil pick up tubes were just hand pressed into the oil pump bodies. I never liked that!!!! Just my 2 cents...

 

[Scott Danforth]

Short back story...
1990 4.3 fuel pump went out...main bearings were screaming for mercy so now shes on the shop floor getting some surgery.
If I remember correctly, it was a bad knock and I believe a tick somewhere but I really didnt pin point it, I knew a rebuild was in her future anyway.

a marine pump should not have dumped fuel into the oil. what other red-neckery was done to the motor?

Short back story...So, the parts are now all at Arnold Motor Supply to be checked to see how big of a deal this is. From what I know and can see, it's not bad bad, but they know more than me. I may need a new crank but I have another 4.3 that has pretty good parts so that won't be an issue.

you may want to compare the price of reconditioning your crank and buying a new crank. many times you can buy a brand new crank for the cost of reconditioning one.

Short back story...
I also want to know where I should get them because the source i was planning to use wants $116 a piece.

are you sure on that price? lifters should be about $60-$65 a set for that motor for stock federal mogul parts

where are you buying lifters for 10X the cost of what they should be? what other parts are you being asked to bend over for as well?

 

[Mithories3980]

As far as my knowledge this engine is all marine. Had a mechanical fuel pump that put fuel in the oil when it failed like Bondo said. I didn't think that was necessarily an automotive thing but im still kinda a newbie lol.

As far as that price on lifters, I'm not certain that the listing is made correctly and I think it maybe it means $116 for the set. Being Friday I didn't get a chance to find out but I still wanted your guys input on where else to get them. Thar was from mercruiserparts.com btw.

Yes I will be thinking all the way through the crank issue, and also I'll be putting on an electric fuel pump instead. Now about the oil pump... should I replace it? Being my own mechanic on my vehicles I've seen that parts aren't made how they used to be so sometimes the old parts that are still working have just as much life in them as new parts... if I should replace it, where should I get that to ensure I get what I want?

 

[Bondo]

Thar was from mercruiserparts.com btw.

Ayuh,..... They're standard everyday 'bout every motor, Chevy lifters,...... Not Merc,.....

If ya rebuild the motor, oil pumps are relatively cheap,.....

 

[Mithories3980]

Ayuh,..... They're standard everyday 'bout every motor, Chevy lifters,...... Not Merc,.....

Good to know...I guess I figured they were merc parts. So, can i get a 'marine' oil pump somewhere?

 

[Bondo]

Good to know...I guess I figured they were merc parts. So, can i get a 'marine' oil pump somewhere?

Ayuh,...... Pretty much the entire long block assembly is GM, aka: Chevy,......

 

[achris]

As far as my knowledge this engine is all marine. Had a mechanical fuel pump that put fuel in the oil when it failed like Bondo said. I didn't think that was necessarily an automotive thing but im still kinda a newbie lol....

Fuel pumps are covered by SAE-J1223, and as such as designed so they don't dump fuel into the crankcase when the diaphragm fails. It should have had a dual diaphragm, or a tube up to the carb that shut the engine down (by flooding) when the diaphragm failed.

Bottom line... If the fuel pump dumped enough fuel into the oil to wipe a bearing, then it wasn't a marine pump. Check everything fuel and electrical to ensure it is marine...

Chris......

 

[Mithories3980]

It should have had a dual diaphragm, or a tube up to the carb that shut the engine down (by flooding) when the diaphragm failed.

Funny you mention that... it did have a tube up to the carb... not sure why that didn't happen then.

 

[achris]

Yeah, I've seen those tubes both plugged up with crap, or not connected. You'd amazed (and very very frightened) at some of the 'crazy' things people do to boat engines. :facepalm:

Chris......

 

[Scott Danforth]

Good to know...I guess I figured they were merc parts. So, can i get a 'marine' oil pump somewhere?

Mercruiser and Volvo buy the long block (block, heads, crank, pistons, etc.) from GM. it is a GM truck engine coming from the Tonawanda GM engine plant. other than a marine specific cam (limited duration and overlap) and marine head gaskets and brass core plugs and a marine circulation pump (also GM) the engine is GM manual transmission motor

Mercruiser marks up base engine parts at least 100%, in some cases 500%

from there Mercruiser and Volvo add their accessory drive (the stuff bolted to the front of the motor), and their specific exhaust and fuel systems (that they buy from other companies)

the mechanical pump will be superior to an electric pump, assuming its a marine pump. your motor originally came with a carter marine fuel pump

most likely the tygon tube was plugged or someone plugged it.

 

[Mithories3980]

That makes sense...because when I took it off it looked pretty aweful.
I'm learning a lot along the way here and unfortunately some of it is coming the hard way lol. Things such as I shouldve checked that tube.

Anyway. So you think l should go ahead and stick with the mechanical pump. What am I gaining by doing so?

 

[achris]

.... So you think l should go ahead and stick with the mechanical pump. What am I gaining by doing so?

Yes... Less complicated. More reliable.

There's more to adding an electric fuel pump than just substituting it for the mechanical one. You also need to add an oil pressure switch and relay, and wire it all in correctly. You also need to find/make the right tubing to carry the fuel to the carb. You could always buy (at $tupid dollar$) proper marine rated fuel line. All that will add up real fast, and end up making it beyond expensive to do. Just buy a new mechanical marine pump and be done with it.

Chris......

 

[Mithories3980]

That all makes plenty of sense I suppose...I guess im just paranoid of this happening again but now i see it really shouldn't have and with new parts probably wont...

I do have both pumps also. When it failed the first time, before I knew it was knocking I replaced the pump. I also have an electric pump that I had going, wired up good on a different 4.3 that didn't work out. The only thing I'd have to do is get the correct lines. So at this point I suppose it's a wash either way.

Well I THINK y'all have answered the questions I have until it comes to putting her back together... Thanks gentlemen!