4.3 Volvo cracked ???

[BHorsty]

I bought a 98 Regal 2150 with a 4.3 Volvo Penta, threw it in he water five weeks ago to see what works and doesn't 1/4 mile out the motor gets hot. Shut it down, and anchored for an hour or two to cool things down, the exhaust risers were very hot. After it cooled down I ran it back to port and it warmed up again.

Raw water pump impeller was shredded. I replaced impeller and ran with the muffs on at home for ten minutes. everything sounded good and ran nice until I heard it start to run a little rough. I shut it down and oil foam spit out of carb. I checked the oil and it was overfull with foam, previously the oil was nice and clean a little over filled.

I pulled the risers today and a little water in the pistons, pulled the plugs and sprayed cylinders with WD-40 after turning motor over to get rid of water. Pulled he intake to see what it looked like and the intakes ports looked clean no water. Oil foam filled up under intake. Previously I doubted the exhaust valves would let water into the pistons.

Questions: What are the typical problems with these motors under these conditions? How do I flush the foam from the motor? Is this more likely to be a cracked block or cracked risers? Boat hadn't been in the water for at least two years, previous owner started it up without muffs to show me how well it starts up, I figured he tore up the impeller doing that. No water in oil until I ran it with the muffs after overheating it in the lake. Thanks, BH

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

I bought a 98 Regal 2150 with a 4.3 Volvo Penta, threw it in he water five weeks ago to see what works and doesn't 1/4 mile out the motor gets hot. Shut it down, and anchored for an hour or two to cool things down, the exhaust risers were very hot. After it cooled down I ran it back to port and it warmed up again.

Raw water pump impeller was shredded. I replaced impeller and ran with the muffs on at home for ten minutes. everything sounded good and ran nice until I heard it start to run a little rough. I shut it down and oil foam spit out of carb. I checked the oil and it was overfull with foam, previously the oil was nice and clean a little over filled.

I pulled the risers today and a little water in the pistons, pulled the plugs and sprayed cylinders with WD-40 after turning motor over to get rid of water. Pulled he intake to see what it looked like and the intakes ports looked clean no water. Oil foam filled up under intake. Previously I doubted the exhaust valves would let water into the pistons.

Questions: What are the typical problems with these motors under these conditions? How do I flush the foam from the motor? Is this more likely to be a cracked block or cracked risers? Boat hadn't been in the water for at least two years, previous owner started it up without muffs to show me how well it starts up, I figured he tore up the impeller doing that. No water in oil until I ran it with the muffs after overheating it in the lake. Thanks, BH

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,... That right there says a Cracked block, 'n the Po mighta known it,....

As for cleanin' it up, start by drainin' it, 'n takin' it apart,...

You'll have to put the intake back on to air pressure test it,...
Otherwise, keep pullin' parts til ya find the cracks,...

Likely spots are in the lifter valley, 'n along the side of the oil base, just above the bottom of the block,...

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

There are 2 type of iboaters...those that heed advice from Bondo and those that wish they did?!

Hopefully the crack is obvious, like mine?! $1000.00 later your in business with a new lower end....unless it's the heads, manifold(s)...luckily, the 4.3's a readily available as they were offered in trucks, SUV's, boats galore....

Good Luck, post some pics of the carnage! While we dislike the carnage, we love spending your $!

~bRett

 

[fen-isl]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

I am with Bondo, def sound like cracked block, by the way what part of Pa are you in? there's a place in Broomall that rebuilds marine engines.

Good Luck

 

[BHorsty]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Thanks guys, I'll dig into this deeper and take some pictures for your amusement, and to build a data base for those that follow. I was hoping I could get out of this with just a cracked manifold or intake. I was looking inside the lifter valley for a crack and didn't see anything. The parts inside this motor are clean and have very little wear. Perhaps I could get a long block and start swapping parts I may go that route. Is there a better setup for these boats. Or does and one know what model vehicle would of had the two barrel set up for an easy swap? I'm about 50 miles from Broomall, sounds like a possibility. Do you have any more info., I would like to give them a call?

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

BHorsty,

Take pics and be methodical about disassembly. You might get lucky and it's just the heads/manifold and not the block. Hate to sound pessimistic, but the members on here have seen people pop on and ask the same question and they are typically given the same answers. With any luck, you'll have it back up running in short order. The crack can be anywhere between the water jackets and the engine internals...it may be small or large (like mine). You're not gonna wanna use just any old 4.3 block! While they will work, you'll want to use the boat specific cam at the very least? I was only saying for a short block (Block, crank, pistons, rings, rod/journal/cam bearings) the 4.3L is a readily available block for a re-manufactured. I used a local guy who warranties for 12 months, there are other (online marine engine builders that can supply the same?) You might also have luck finding a used engine for cheap...caution is advised, as you might have the same or other issues with those.

The 4.3L is a great motor IMHO I think it's the sweet spot for HP vs. fuel consumption (best bang for the buck).

~Brett

 

[BHorsty]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Thanks everyone, and Brett for holding out for me. The boat has unveiled the crack to me, I was able to use my suction pump to pull out most of the foam under the intake yesterday and with the remaining foam settling today I can see you guys were dead on in your assumptions. The crack is in the block near the valve guides, right where you said it would be. So for future reference foam spitting out of the carburetor can indicate a block filled with oil foam, and in my situation a cracked block.

I bought this boat as a winter project hoping for the best, got a super deal on it and could throw the boat away and still make money on the trailer. I want to keep the cost down and need replace the motor as cheaply as possible to save the boat; so any advice on that would be greatly appreciated? The 4.3 with the Regal fast track hull sure is a sweet spot for fuel economy and power, like Brett said. Thanks, BH

 

[BHorsty]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Cracked Block

 

[racetrack]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Ok what did you decide to do about your engine , I have the same thing cracked in the same place got the engine pulled just trying to decide what way to go . I have talked to the shop in Broomall Pa. [ Mardinly ] they were willing to build a long block for about 1800/1900 . the good thing is I only live about 45 miles from them so no shipping and if I HAVE A PROBLEM I can get it back to them with out a shipping charge .

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Thanks everyone, and Brett for holding out for me. The boat has unveiled the crack to me, I was able to use my suction pump to pull out most of the foam under the intake yesterday and with the remaining foam settling today I can see you guys were dead on in your assumptions. The crack is in the block near the valve guides, right where you said it would be. So for future reference foam spitting out of the carburetor can indicate a block filled with oil foam, and in my situation a cracked block.

I bought this boat as a winter project hoping for the best, got a super deal on it and could throw the boat away and still make money on the trailer. I want to keep the cost down and need replace the motor as cheaply as possible to save the boat; so any advice on that would be greatly appreciated? The 4.3 with the Regal fast track hull sure is a sweet spot for fuel economy and power, like Brett said. Thanks, BH



View attachment 217166

Ayuh,.... Find yer self a new/ re-man/ rebuilt Long Block from the supplier of yer choice,...

Brand New GM Long Blocks usually run 'bout twice the price of a Long Block re-man/ rebuilt,....

Then clean, inspect, 'n bolt on the dressin's off yer cracked motor, drop it in, 'n go Boatin',...

 

[BHorsty]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Sounds good, anything else I should be concerned about e.g. manifold risers?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Sounds good, anything else I should be concerned about e.g. manifold risers?

Ayuh,.... Ya have to evaluate All of the bolt-ons,...

Manifolds are suspect, if they weren't drained,...

Risers should be pulled 'n looked at,..

Power steerin' cooler if so equipped,...

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Do google search of local engine builders. The 4.3 in short block form should be less that $1,000.00!? If your heads, intake and exhaust manifolds are crack free you can reuse those, along all the other accessories. As bondo said, go through them and make sure they are in good shape? As far as heads/valves go, having them rebuilt is sound advice...use you best judgement? How many hours on the engine? I did not have mine rebuild. Mine looked good and there was almost no carbon build-up...plus it wasn't in the budget? I did replace all my tappets/lifters after initial rebuild/install .

Good luck, keep us posted?
~Brett

 

[BHorsty]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

I welded the crack today. Is there any way to pressure test this with the intake off; eg plug three of the four water jackets on the heads and a gauge on the fourth so I can see the weld and make sure it will hold. Does the cooling system cross over to both sides of the engine with the intake off? Can I test with water instead of air? I heard 15 lbs of air?? Any help would be great!!

Thanks,
BH

 

[Walt T]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

There's gonna be other cracks you can't see I can guarantee it. There's cracks in the heads and cracks internally. It was obviously frozen full of water. When there is a crack like that in the valley I guarantee you the cam guides moved and the cam is now bent. That block was cracked severely and then welded without stress relief. Its no good. However give it a shot, I've seen worse done up with JB weld and then the motor was used for years.

Keep in mind an engine builder will not warranty an engine damaged by manifolds/risers. It's silly not to replace them with a new engine. Just test it on muffs first, don't even think of launching that yet. I bet the owner knew it had been frozen. Oh well Caveat emptor, that is why a sea trial test drive should have been done first. Would have saved you from this.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

There's gonna be other cracks you can't see I can guarantee it. There's cracks in the heads and cracks internally. It was obviously frozen full of water. When there is a crack like that in the valley I guarantee you the cam guides moved and the cam is now bent. That block was cracked severely and then welded without stress relief. Its no good. However give it a shot, I've seen worse done up with JB weld and then the motor was used for years.

Keep in mind an engine builder will not warranty an engine damaged by manifolds/risers. It's silly not to replace them with a new engine. Just test it on muffs first, don't even think of launching that yet. I bet the owner knew it had been frozen. Oh well Caveat emptor, that is why a sea trial test drive should have been done first. Would have saved you from this.

Ayuh,.... 'n ya can't weld cast iron, Reliably, especially on a fully assembled motor,...

Ya need Another motor,... That 1 is Scrap,...

 

[BHorsty]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

I'm sure you guys are probably right, figured I didn't have anything to lose, and I that I had some recent success welding cast iron. I still plan on getting a motor, unless this one fires up and runs great with a whole bunch of testing.

Risers are junk I definitely need to replace the risers. What is a good brand of riser, the ones that came off this motor were all corroded?

 

[BHorsty]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Hey guys, I do yo want you to know that the seller of this boat suspected that he didn't do the proper winterization on it and in turn sold me this boat for the price of the trailer. I could sell the trailer and throw away the boat. Its a beautiful boat and worth my efforts to revitalize it. I appreciate everyone's help in my efforts to bring it back to life.

 

[Walt T]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

Just save yourself a lot of unnecessary work and begin engine replacement preparations.

 

[racetrack]

Re: 4.3 Volvo cracked ???

BHorsty how have you made out on your cracked block? did the welding job work? I just rebuild one and I am in the the middle of installing it now having trouble getting it aligned