how bad to replace engine

[truckdude239]

got a 2003 s-10 zr2 4x4 with the 4.3 been over heating alot special when towing started it up the other day and the coolant in the over flow tank was bubbling truck was cold when this was going on coolant full in the radiator, you can see bubbling in the rad also. so we are leaning toward a blown head gasket no water in the oil, intake gaskets where done last year. found a good used engine for $650 with 60k miles out of an express van. i know its now funn but anything i need to look for when swapping these this will be the new car or truck i've done an engine swap in

[BarryB]

Nothing out of the ordinary. They are just a tight fit to get to bolts and such.

[Rufton]

I'd inspect plugs and oil.
Perhaps seller would trade old filter for new so you could look for metal flakes.
Maybe seller would allow you to pull VC so you could inspect for sludge and glitter.

[truckdude239]

Im getting it from a local yard that ive bought several engine from before warrantied for 6 months with labor andnparts
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[clinebarger]

Not sure on a ZR2, But on a regular S10/4.3/4L60E......Remove all body mount bolts, Lift the Cab & front clip/core support 1 1/2" & put small 2x4's between all cab mounts & cab, Have the radiator/fan/shroud out. Un-clip brake lines & harnesses as necessary.

If a ZR2 has a factory body lift, Nevermind

Anyone that say's they put a 4.3 in a S10 without lifting the cab has a hand full of bolt/nuts left over when their done

[truckdude239]

Okay last question i know i am going to have to swap the oil pans someone told me about making sure i align the oil pan right or use the special tool to make sure its right anyone heard this? I m told the tranmission works good for this but id not like to think about installing an oilpan with it in the truck
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[Zane M]

clinebarger summed it up nicely.
The general procedure for removing/installing the engine isn't much different than anything else. Its the tight space of the second gen S series that makes it a bear.
First gen S series have miles of room in comparison.

[truckdude239]

we got teh replacement used engien today

[Rufton]

Wow. Wasn't expecting it to look that clean!
Good luck.

[truckdude239]

Yea the only thing that pissed me off about it was they took the driver side exhaust manifold off and everybolt is broke off in the head going to run it by the manchine shop tomorrow . But everything is clean and tight inside. It only has 60k on it. My only worry is how to proplery align the oilpan when i put it back on
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[Rufton]

Interesting. All the 160,000 mile 99 vortec 350 bolts came out w/o breaking including ex manifold to head and to ex pipe 3 bolt flange.

[clinebarger]

Measure the oil pan-to-transmission housing clearance using a feeler gage and a straight edge. Use the feeler gage to check the clearance at the oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points (1). If the clearance exceeds 0.3 mm (0.011 inch) at any of the oil pan-to-transmission housing measurement points (1), then repeat the step until the oil pan-to-transmission housing clearance is within specifications. The oil pan must always be forward or flush with the rear face of the engine block.

I have a T56 bellhousing that I use for this....Install bellhousing, Push pan flush with it, Tighten oil pan.

[truckdude239]

Its a shame i cant use the th350 i have sitting in the buding to line it up lol
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[truckdude239]

Can i use a piece of flat stock and bolt it to the other tran bolt holes on the back the block? And use it to line up the otherss?
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[truckdude239]

Got the oilpan install to find it was cracked at one of the bolt holes. Got the new pan and got it intsalled using the straight edge now to get the engine back in and bolt the body back down
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[truckdude239]

I got the engine in and running but have an oil leak On the back side i think its either the oil pan or rear mean but with the ammount thats there i think the pan is leaking
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[Rufton]

Thanks for the update and good luck w/ the leak.
So that oil pan turned out to be the hardest part?