'96 4.3LX Head Gasket
 

Hoping you guys can give me some quick help.

Put the boat up for the winter and finally was able to pull it out this weekend to start getting it ready for July 4th weekend.

Ended up finding milky oil. Not good of course.

We don't believe it's a cracked blocked as we tried to be good about putting extra Antifreeze thru the system when winterizing.

When I fired up the boat to give it a quick check, (yes, stupid me for not checking the oil first) it had a slight miss in it. Thinking back, we had a slight miss in it before we put it up for the winter and A time or two before that.

I have just enough time to replace the Head Gaskets if that's the case but of course, being able to get the proper Head Gasket matters.

Can anyone tell me off hand what I should be using? Can I just run to the local AutoZone or Napa and grab a Head Gasket kit? The motor is stock and for us, works great. This is the 12 bolt intake.

Thanks in advance.

Chuck

Re: '96 4.3LX Head Gasket
 

I have a 2001 Shabah 182 with the 4.3 last year I had oil in the water and after a compression test turned out to be the exhaust manifold on the starboard side the water jacket was cracked and letting water in. So I wouldn't assume head gasket tell you get it checked out.

Re: '96 4.3LX Head Gasket
 

Thanks Tlolesen. We'll make sure to check out the manifolds.

Re: '96 4.3LX Head Gasket
 

You can check if it's a head gasket by performing a compression test or even better a leak down test.

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Re: '96 4.3LX Head Gasket
 

Well, it turned out to be a cracked block so for the moment our season is over. Now to find out what an engine is going to cost me. Capable of doing it myself but wife is insisting on hiring it out since we have so much more to do.

Re: '96 4.3LX Head Gasket
 

That is a shame. Mercruiser sells re manufactured long blocks or you can go with a company like Jasper Engines.


https://www.mercurymarine.com/en/us/...es-longblocks/


https://www.jasperengines.com/marine-engines