s10/1500 4.3

haphaight · 11-14-2006, 03:34 PM

i have a '92 chevy 1/2 ton pick up and i found an 4.3 from an '95 S10 that i am interested in rebuilding. my question is: will this drop into my truck? i certainly don't want to buy it if i can not use it. presently my engine has a piston skirt knocking and with a 168k is has been a good one. the truck body is in very good condition and it's long paid for. so i thought why not. i haven't built an engine in twenty years and figure this would be a great winter project. all replies are appriciated. Hap

mudseeker · 11-14-2006, 05:40 PM

yes it will drop right in. i would like to make a suggestion though. why not find a cheap v-8 to throw in there and give the truck a little pick me up. i have owned a 4.3 and it is a very strong engine, but the v-8 won't have to work as hard to move the truck and you might enjoy the little extra power.

haphaight · 11-14-2006, 06:19 PM

ya know, i'ld love the extra power, if i want to pass a car now, well i have to make darned sure i have enough pavement to get aropund. but, what else is curtailed with installing an eight cylinder? computer change, complete exhaust system ????? but yea, i am open to it as long as it does'nt cost another grand to do.

chevyguy · 11-14-2006, 06:51 PM

Its expensive. And time consuming.

bradrhale · 11-14-2006, 07:32 PM

my father in law has a 96 1500 4 wd with a 4.3 and has enough power for everything he does. what size block you have in there now??

mudseeker · 11-15-2006, 05:57 AM

well, yes the v-8 will cost more but you can part out the good parts of the 4.3 to make up that cost. it is possible to use your current tranny (i think the bolt pattern will match up), but i would upgrade it. you may also need a bigger radiator and different computer. i would go to the junk yard and find a truck similar to yours with the v-8 option and rip out what you need. but like chevy guy said it is time consuming unless you have access to a shop.

chevyguy · 11-15-2006, 09:54 AM

If ity currently has a 2.8 then the tranny wont work with the 4.3 or the 350. The cist can get well into the 1000 dollar range. Need motor mouns, specailty headers, new custom exhaust, corvette radiator, or high dollar aftermarket. Believe me poarting out your motor wont net you anything near the cost of a v8 thransplant done right.

mudseeker · 11-15-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevyguy

If ity currently has a 2.8 then the tranny wont work with the 4.3 or the 350. The cist can get well into the 1000 dollar range. Need motor mouns, specailty headers, new custom exhaust, corvette radiator, or high dollar aftermarket. Believe me poarting out your motor wont net you anything near the cost of a v8 thransplant done right.

he's putting the engine in a full size truck, why would he need special headers and corvette raidator? i know this would be nessecary if you were putting a 350 in a s-10.

haphaight · 11-15-2006, 05:23 PM

yea, i saw a wiring harness @ $400 bucks and the list starts from there. SO, i have a 4.3 and will remain with one. this is my every day vehicle and my "thinking i have the fastes car" days are long gone. i believe a fresh engine and a new clutch will do wonders for this pig. i figure aroung a grand by the time i finish, and at todays prices, thats about two car payments. thanks again for all your replies.

STRAYDOG · 11-18-2006, 06:11 AM

The 4.3 is actually a chevy v8 small block with two cylinders chopped off, I have the 4.3 in my 98 S10 nice engine with plenty of power & tourque, but the V8 swap would be sweet.

11-14-2006, 03:34 PM	#1
haphaight Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3	s10/1500 4.3 i have a '92 chevy 1/2 ton pick up and i found an 4.3 from an '95 S10 that i am interested in rebuilding. my question is: will this drop into my truck? i certainly don't want to buy it if i can not use it. presently my engine has a piston skirt knocking and with a 168k is has been a good one. the truck body is in very good condition and it's long paid for. so i thought why not. i haven't built an engine in twenty years and figure this would be a great winter project. all replies are appriciated. Hap

11-14-2006, 05:40 PM	#2
mudseeker mod-o-tator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 4,075	yes it will drop right in. i would like to make a suggestion though. why not find a cheap v-8 to throw in there and give the truck a little pick me up. i have owned a 4.3 and it is a very strong engine, but the v-8 won't have to work as hard to move the truck and you might enjoy the little extra power. __________________ member map add yourself

11-14-2006, 06:51 PM	#4
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,160	Its expensive. And time consuming. __________________ When i die, i dont want to walk gracefully thu the pearly gates and turn in a unused body. i want to go sliding thru sideways and turn in a body that has been completely used up.

11-15-2006, 05:57 AM	#6
mudseeker mod-o-tator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: michigan Posts: 4,075	well, yes the v-8 will cost more but you can part out the good parts of the 4.3 to make up that cost. it is possible to use your current tranny (i think the bolt pattern will match up), but i would upgrade it. you may also need a bigger radiator and different computer. i would go to the junk yard and find a truck similar to yours with the v-8 option and rip out what you need. but like chevy guy said it is time consuming unless you have access to a shop. __________________ member map add yourself

11-15-2006, 09:54 AM	#7
chevyguy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ALABAMA Posts: 3,160	If ity currently has a 2.8 then the tranny wont work with the 4.3 or the 350. The cist can get well into the 1000 dollar range. Need motor mouns, specailty headers, new custom exhaust, corvette radiator, or high dollar aftermarket. Believe me poarting out your motor wont net you anything near the cost of a v8 thransplant done right. __________________ When i die, i dont want to walk gracefully thu the pearly gates and turn in a unused body. i want to go sliding thru sideways and turn in a body that has been completely used up.

11-14-2006, 06:19 PM	#3
haphaight Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3	ya know, i'ld love the extra power, if i want to pass a car now, well i have to make darned sure i have enough pavement to get aropund. but, what else is curtailed with installing an eight cylinder? computer change, complete exhaust system ????? but yea, i am open to it as long as it does'nt cost another grand to do.

11-14-2006, 07:32 PM	#5
bradrhale Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,990	my father in law has a 96 1500 4 wd with a 4.3 and has enough power for everything he does. what size block you have in there now??

11-15-2006, 05:23 PM	#9
haphaight Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3	yea, i saw a wiring harness @ $400 bucks and the list starts from there. SO, i have a 4.3 and will remain with one. this is my every day vehicle and my "thinking i have the fastes car" days are long gone. i believe a fresh engine and a new clutch will do wonders for this pig. i figure aroung a grand by the time i finish, and at todays prices, thats about two car payments. thanks again for all your replies.

11-18-2006, 06:11 AM	#10
STRAYDOG Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Ipswich,Massachusetts Home of the Clam Posts: 51	The 4.3 is actually a chevy v8 small block with two cylinders chopped off, I have the 4.3 in my 98 S10 nice engine with plenty of power & tourque, but the V8 swap would be sweet. __________________ Semper Fi

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