4.3l V6 Swap Out

[achris]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

Sounds like you should pull the engine and re-check things like bearing caps. Did the all pistons move through their full stroke length before you attached them to the crank? Another thing that could cause the crank to not turn is the cam and all its drive gears. Did you make sure the cam timing was right and that it turned ok?<br /><br />Chris.........

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

If the engine will not turn over manually you definately did something wrong in rebuilding it. Sorry. The only way to find the problem is to take it back apart. You may have used the wrong sized bearings, maybe the ring gap is too tight... or any of a number of possibilites. Since money is tight I would suggest buying a book on rebuilding motors and look it over. They are many good ones on rebuilding small block Chevies. (I know your's isn't a v-8, but the principles are the same). <br /><br />And yes, you really do need to grease or otherwise lube the bearings well as you install them. You put them on the block or rod dry, and then smear some assembly lube on them. It is also a good idea to build up some oil pressure before trying to start the engine. It may sound like a lot of work, especially since you thought you were done, but I don't see any other way around it for you.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

One more point (good news for you! ) since you mention this motor is out of a truck you should be okay with the cam that is in there. As I understand it, truck cams have a similar grind to marine cams.

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

Thank you, I think I can do all of that by just removing the engine and putting on a stand and turn it upside down. It is my understanding that the pistons do not have to come out for me to do that. My book said something about plastitgage ?

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

its actually not that bad I guess, It has been a great learning exprience though !

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

Yes you can check the main (crank) bearing and rod bearing clearance by turning the engine over on the stand and removing the oil pan. Take off a bearing cap one at a time and clean the surfaces well. Lay a strip of plastigauge accross the rod or crank journal and torque the cap back on. Remove the cap again and use the gauge on the paper that the plastigauge came in to measure the smashed plastigauge. That will tell you if your clearances are good.<br /><br />You mentioned ring bearings earlier. I assume by that you meant rod bearings? Or were you refering to new rings? If you replaced the rings, (and yes, you have to remove the pistons to do that), did you gap the rings? That is important to do to be sure you have the right rings if nothing else.<br /><br />Forgive me if you already know this - I don't mean to give you info that you may already know.

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

no i meant rod..sorry i bought new crank bearings and plastigage and.......yes thats right reassembly lube baby !!!! Round 2 this weekend. Thanks for all of your help Chris and Fisher I really do appreciate you guys taking the time with me.

 

[achris]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

Keep us posted. We have a vested interest in this now <br /><br />Chris..........

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

will do

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

well the project is started......I had to get a new crank kit today. It stills turns pretty hard even with the new kit? Taking the outdrive off was real easy.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

When you say it still turns hard, what do you mean? What all did you do to the engine - Did you take the heads off? Did you completely disassemble the engine? Or did you just put new bearings in? If you are trying to turn the crank over with the heads on and rods connected then it will of course be difficult to turn over. Take out the spark plugs and try it. It should still be "difficult" in the sense of "tight" but you should be able to turn it.<br /><br />Be sure and check your clearances as mentioned with the plastigauge.

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

it broke the harmonic balancer bolt trying to turn it. The crank is brand new with matched bearings. I completely rebuilt it. I did not hone the cylinder walls though. Could this be the issue?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

When you say "the crank is brand new with matched bearings" - does that mean you did not plastigauge the bearing clearances? It may seem like an unnecessary step, but you obivously have something wrong. The only way to find out is to go back to the basics - specifically discovering what the bearing clearances actually are - not what you think they should be or what the package said they are. (Parts are sometimes mislabled!) If the bearings check out okay, you need to double check the piston and ring clearances. Gapping the rings is a must. Again, it is tempting to just assume they are right - but then you are back to square one if things are tight. Go back and check all your clearances. Until you do that no one is going to be able to help you with an answer.

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

Thanks Fisher

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

when you say gap the rings ? again I am new at this sorry....can I use a feeler guage?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

Here is what you need:<br /> Necessary tool<br /><br />It really will be the best money you can spend.

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

I got it back in....it turns !

 

[16Pilot]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

nevermind, going back to step one !! I want more HP so I am rebuilding from square one. Having it bored out and installing high performance rods and pistons. Anyone know where I can get them?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 4.3l V6 Swap Out

Having it bored out and installing high performance rods and pistons. Anyone know where I can get them? <br />

Jeg's.....<br />Summit........<br />PAW........<br />Lots of Places for Racing Parts............