96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

I recently purchased a Z190, and only after taking it out on maiden voyage did I find out it has a cracked block. It was the ole "change the oil before I sell it trick". Contacted previous owner and he replied that he was unawhere followed by the "as is no warranty" phrase. I am livid to say the least, but my question is will a totally complete 1994 4.3 mercury be interchangeable with my 1996(i.e. wiring harness,outdrive, etc.) When I say complete, I mean literally unbolt old one drop in new one, plug in harness and go complete. Any advise or answers would be much appreciated Thanks! Larry :(

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

This is cold comfort to you now, I know. And I'm not trying to give you a hard time. I'm only saying this so that somebody in the future who might read this thread might avoid the same scam.

Always, ALWAYS insist on a thorough check ride, where you can run the boat through all her paces, for more than just a few minutes, then immediately check the oil, yourself, at the end of the ride. It's my understanding that it doesn't matter if it's brand-spanking-new oil, changed just before you showed up for the check ride: If there's water getting in the oil, there'll be white foam in it almost immediately. (It's an emulsification of water and oil.)

Larry, I'm really, really sorry to hear you got burned this way :(. Too bad there's no "full disclosure" law on boats and other big-ticket items like there is on houses. Hopefully the jerk that burned you will get the same done to him some day.

(Don't know the answer to your direct question. Sorry.)

Jim

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

Jim, I appreciate your sentiments. Its definetly good advice for anyone purchasing a used boat to run it for a good peroid of time, or to put in the water if thats a possible option. I did check the oil after boat ran a few minutes, but I guess that it wasn't long enough. On a good note I spoke with previous owner again, and he said that he didn't have the boat all that long and was totally unawhere of the crack in block. He said that he would refund some of my money to put towards a new engine. I"ll keep you posted. Thanks, Larry

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

I have to admit i'm not sure if its a straight swap as i think you are in the years where the outdrives changed so i'm not sure if there were changes to the shafts etc.

I did post a link to a new 1999 4.3L being auctioned here which should be a straight up swap with newer technology. Another option is to consider re-powering with a 5.0 or 5.7 for the additional power.

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

What type of modifications would have to made to change over to a 5.0 ?

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

On muffs, I'm guessing? That's the way the PO of Shazaam! got caught out. He buys boats from dealers that were trade-ins or repossessions, cleans them up, fixes them up, if necessary, and flips 'em. He'd checked the oil after running the engine on muffs at the dealership, but when he double-checked the oil after the check run, there was water in it. He replaced the engine with a remanufactured one. He had the same thing happen to him, again, on the boat he flipped right after ours, only, that time, the sale had already been completed. He replaced the engine, anyway, despite the fact his sales orders all state "as is."

There are still a few fair dealers in the world.

I hope he's having a more profitable season this season.

Sounds like the guy's a stand-up guy, after all? Good luck!

Jim

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

I really dont know as i've never done that project so hopefully someone here who has done it will chime in. This info i picked up from another site where this change was done.

I just replaced my 4.3 liter V6 with a 5.0 liter high performance V8 . Amazing how little you have to change! Almost everything is a direct swap to the V8. I had to buy exhaust manifolds and the rear aluminum V8 elbows (both ebay..). Had to move the motor mounts forward. The Thunderbolt IV distributor needed a V8 rotor and cap. A little work on the hoses (had to extend 2 of them). That's it. The water pump, power steering, alternater, starter, etc. all bolted right up. The motor slipped right in and runs great.

One thing that wasn't mentioned above was the likely difference in gear ratios between the 4.3 & other motors which may mean you have to change them too. Also, i've read stories about cracked blocks being repaired with JB Weld and with pipe plugs. Not sure if its feasible though in your case.

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

I have searched the internet till I'm blew in the face for a 4.3 Vortec motor.The 5.0 is about the same dollar amount as the 4.3 but the modifications could get a little costly, I'm assuming. I checked out the one up for bid that Mikey-T had suggested and it is already up to $3400 dollars. I guess I'll purchase a long block and new intake and see what it will cost to have it installed. I'm sooooo frustrated !!!!!!!

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

Well, I put a new 4.3 Vortec long block in and took it out for the first time yesterday. It performed great, but didn't want to run it to hard while breaking in the new engine. I can honestly say, I know now, why I have always wanted a Mariah. Simply put, it is extremely AWSOME boat!!!!!!

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

Good to hear. Did the previous owner pony up any $ to help you?

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

Yes, after a couple of phone calls and a visit from him to visually pull the dipstick to observe for himself that water was present, he refunded part of the purchased price to put towards a new engine.

Re: 96 Z190 4.3 engine replacement question
 

There's a MerCruiser doc somewhere about break-in. IIRC, it goes something like "For the 1st 10 hours: Do not exceed 2/3 throttle. Do not operate at idle speeds for long periods. Vary the engine speed widely and often. For the 2nd 10 hours you may go WOT for brief periods. Still avoid long periods of idling. Still vary engine speed widely and often." Or something like that.

Jim