Chevy 4.3 V6 motor, inquiring

[firemouse5]

Looking to either replace or rebuild my Chevy 4.3 V6 with OMC Outdrive in my 1991 Seaswirl Striper 210. I am certain my motor lost/blew/bent/broke a rod. I am mechanically un-inclined. I am not really looking for most affordable as much what is most efficient and dependable. Am I better off spending a known $$ amount for a new motor or taking more time and unknown expenses to rebuild?

I am not taking my boat back to the previous shop that worked on it. I will just move forward and take the business to myself or someone else. Preferably a professional Marine mechanic.

What would you do? FM5

[Arne K]

I used to deal with 4 Seasons Marine in Medford, when I lived down that way. He seemed like a good guy. If you were up here, I could refer you to a top notch boat mechanic in Salem.

[fishin"G"man]

Engines are easy to replace/rebuild but in your position you need to examine your drive system as well. OMC is not a popular drive unit, it's difficult and spendy to get them repaired and they are easily "warped" to the point of replacement. Double your big money and it makes it a big decision as to if you want to keep the boat or junk it.

If you really like that boat, motor and drive and you are confident there's no "big" issues with the drive unit, buy a short block and trade pieces off your old motor. Anything besides that and it's how bad you want to throw money into a "hole" (aka an old boat with old equipment).

Typically the older the boat the greater the issues which mean greater costs. To do this right you should be rebuilding the starter, alternator etc. Old parts on new engines gets you by but only for a short while until the bucks start to run rampant in water pumps etc that were not replaced.

[firemouse5]

I am taking the boat to a friends house/shop and pulling the motor. We are gonna check it and the drive unit and then make the decision on what to do. I replaced the starter and the alternator last year. I did have the drive unit inspected last year, but we are gonna do it again.

[Quiet Riot]

Might give Ron a call at pelican marina in k-falls, not too far from you and they've done omc stuff for years (I worked there back in the day.)

[firemouse5]

Thanks guys...

[MattPark]

I'd really try to find some Vortec heads and an Edelbrock intake for that thing while it's out.

[1pump]

Nice thing about the 4.3 is that it's just a 350 with two cylinders chopped off. If there's room under the doghouse a 350 might be a good swap. Nothing wrong with the 4.3 (I have one in my boat) but a 350 (or 305) is the most inexpensive engine out there and you'd get more bang for your boating buck.