60-66 4.3L Vortec V6 Transplant

[66-PMD-GMC]

I am currently helping my friend Adrian with a motor swap in his 63 GMC.
Out comes the tired and broken old 814 pound V6.
The cost of rebuilding this overweight mill is not in the budget for my friend so we started searching and found a rebuilt 4.3L 262 CID V6 out of a mid 90's cargo van for $150.
Complete! Flywheel to clutch fan.

I've done some extensive homework on this motor and even with all the negative hype, in reality its a pretty nice unit..
Before I hear all the V6 bashing and "put a 350 in it" talk, it should be said that Adrian, the trucks own wants something unique and the Chevy 350 isn't that... No Small Block Chebby will be going in the little GMC..
Adrian's 63 is going to be a smooth cruiser, go fast isn't in it's future.. super performance just isn't necessary..
This little mill we found is the 215hp roller cam, fuel injected version.
Since fuel injection and electronic engine management isn't in the budget, yet, a marine 4bbl intake has been found and an HEI distributor ordered.
Doing some quick measurements it looks as if the lil 6 will bolt right in like its V8 big brother.
A T5 will be sitting behind the little mill..

So what is this post about?
I am wondering if anyone on the forum has done this 4.3 swap with a 60-66 truck or suburban.
I see tons of potential, budget permitting, for this swap with lots of future mods available.

I found a beautiful 67 C10 with a 4.3 V6 on the forum, its very nice, but my question is, are there more trucks out there that the owner was brave enough to do something different?

If so, where are they?

[LVPhotos]

The 4.3 has lots of potential. It is a small block with the rear two cylinders loped off. The parts interchange. Some v8s don't have the 215 power rating. You can get a bit more with a little work and tons more like the Typhoons /Cyclones with turbos. Great little monster.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by LVPhotos

The 4.3 has lots of potential. It is a small block with the rear two cylinders loped off. The parts interchange. Some v8s don't have the 215 power rating. You can get a bit more with a little work and tons more like the Typhoons /Cyclones with turbos. Great little monster.

I agree... :-)
I'm sure with time (and budget) he'll be putting a little more gittyup in the V6's gitalong.

[padresag]

how much of a rebuilt is it for $150.00?
ron

[66-PMD-GMC]

Originally Posted by padresag

how much of a rebuilt is it for $150.00?
ron

It wasn't rebuilt for $150, it was bought for $150.
The PO said it was rebuilt a few years ago.
A stock refreshing.
We'll see once it's cleaned up and the intake is installed.

[padresag]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

It wasn't rebuilt for $150, it was bought for $150.
The PO said it was rebuilt a few years ago.
A stock refreshing.
We'll see once it's cleaned up and the intake is installed.

is that something similar to it was running when parked?

ron

[fs64]

My son and I are in the middle of swapping a in 4.3 tbi into his 64 step side. 700r4 trans 3.73s. Hoping to stay with the tbi,after pricing out an intake and carb it was a wash even with the In tank pump setup for the tbi.

[66Project]

I agree with fs64.

I kept mine EFI in my CJ7. Super easy. Harness and ECU was acquired from a 93 blazer at a u pull lot. Maybe spent $50 on both. Bought a factory blazer fuel pump off ebay for $50ish. Still need a Park/Neutral switch and a VSS but otherwise runs great and plenty of power. With the T5 you shouldnt have to have a Park/neutral switch but you will still have to rig up a VSS. Can't help you on that one since I haven't even done mine yet.

[61_FL_Apache]

I have had many trucks and vans with the 4.3 and never had an issue and plenty of power..

[66-PMD-GMC]

Thanks to you all for the support.
I'm sure we won't have any problems getting the 4.3 into the GMC.
I just can't believe that we are the first to do this build.
I would sure like to see what others have done with this motor in the 60-66 line.
We will be leaving the motor in the rear position as opposed to the V8 forward position.
The T5 is already in the truck and the driveshaft is built.
The 4.3 that we are using does have some miles on it.
If it all works out well I have a line on a 2008 4.3 that I might pick up for future use.
Thanks again to everyone for your positive feedback.

[66LSx]

Pulling a V6 and the trans out of a junkyard will probably cost as much as the 5.3L V8? Performance parts are more plentiful and cheaper for the 5.3L V8. MPG is probably a wash.

Had for $1000 WITH the drive-by-wire gas pedal, ECM, and an UNCUT wiring harness. 2004 Silverado 5.3L LM7/4L60e w/ 103,000 miles on the clock. (Got to see the truck when it came in...[and the digital odo])

[66-PMD-GMC]

The V6 was $150.
It came with a starter, water pump, power steering pump, A/C compressor, alternator... everything.
It's a running motor.
This isn't a performance build.
It's a smooth cruiser, a clean driver and as I said, a SBC is not going in it.
That's been done a million times.
Different is what is wanted here. Not the same old build.

[66LSx]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

The V6 was $150.
It came with a starter, water pump, power steering pump, A/C compressor, alternator... everything.
It's a running motor.
This isn't a performance build.
It's a smooth cruiser, a clean driver and as I said, a SBC is not going in it.
That's been done a million times.
Different is what is wanted here. Not the same old build.

SBC = 350.... LS=vortec

no problem on being different.... just missed that point vs. doing it for long term cost effectiveness.

my 5.3 also won't be a performance build...reliable cruiser with OBD-II type reliability and maintainability regarding racking up miles. (can go to napa, plug in to a PC, instant diagnose, and have the part in-stock at any point.)

4.3L technically isn't a vortec in its structure (different pistons etc) and thats only reason I'm bringing it up. (reliability in regards to long term parts availability/cost and maintainability.)

Did you have the transmission included in the $150 too? Mine also has PS/pump alt, AC etc.

I'd guess by the time you factor transmission cost it would be a wash. (T5 value around $600ish). Figure odd ball cost +300.... its even.

But since your asking... yes the 4.3L V6 swap has been done quite a bit before...just make sure you center it up in the bay so it doesnt look empty. Also... expand your search to the jeep and miata forums for any tech details... those guys use them ALOT as it fits into the smaller the engine bay without modifications to the firewall etc.




Good luck... you should get great lower speed highway mileage (55-60 mph ish) [before our brick aero kicks in]

[64shortbed]

4.3 is a good motor. I was thinking it would be kind of kool to put one in my 64 GMC but went with the old 350 cause I got it for $100 and it was running. The 4.3 should have plenty of power to run down the highway just fine. And handle some work when needed. If the 250 inline 6 could do it back then the 4.3 should be fine. Imo I'd try and keep the fuel injection. Shouldn't be to hard to find a the wiring and fuel pump.

[padresag]

it should work quite well. it should work just as well or better than what ever what was originally ever put in these trucks except for perhaps the bottom end of those old V6's.
just be happy with yourself that you just not another little sheep following along with the rest.
ron

[66LSx]

Originally Posted by padresag

it should work quite well. it should work just as well or better than what ever what was originally ever put in these trucks except for perhaps the bottom end of those old V6's.
just be happy with yourself that you just not another little sheep following along with the rest.
ron

I'm not taking anything away... dont get me wrong here guys...the motor should do quite well. and it will sing smoothly. It (4.3L V6) is 200HP/ 250-265 ft-lbs of torque in vortex EFI setup. (around 180HP/250 ft lbs if going over to carb per jeep forums)

Much better than a 155 HP 250 I-6. (TQ. is the same for each @ 255 ftlbs for the 250 I6 vs the 4.3L V6 in EFI setup)

A carbed 4.3L V6 would perform the same as a 250 I-6 I think. (same HP/TQ #'s... not curves) (although V6 much smoother, quieter, reliable, higher revs)

[Captainfab]

Just a FYI since you said the trans is in place and the driveshaft is made. On the 4.3 the distance from the center of the engine mount to the back of the block is shorter than on a small block.

I have thought about using a 4.3, but just never have done it. I think I would install it at the stock rear position and move the trans forward.

My son went with a EFI turbo'd 4.3 in his buggy. It runs quite well......well enough to still break parts.

[66Submarine]

Originally Posted by 66LSx

(although V6 much smoother, quieter, reliable, higher revs)

Uhh...what are you basing that on? Much more reliable than an inline six with timing gears and seven main bearings, really? The 4.3 is just an adaptation of the SBC, nothing special.

As for the OP; I agree it should work well. Really short little thing compared to the I-6 that fits in there, but if you run an electric fan that's not an issue.

[66-PMD-GMC]

Everything else is there, T5 and all...
:-)

[tincan1966]

I like the 4.3's think they perform quite well.

We have a Suzuki Samarai 4X4 of a customer's here that we swapped in a TBI 4.3L w/TH350 trans, and Jeep axles. It's quite the fun little toy to play in! LOL!

If you look at the W/T series of trucks from 88-98 the weight is about the same as our trucks.
I've heard a few guys say that the lower gears in our trucks (normally 3.73 or 4.11) seem to help the 4.3 performance when using the T5 trans, even though the mileage will suffer a bit over the normal 3.42's in the later model trucks.

[Clyde65]

I say go for it! not ever day you find a running motor for $150!

I had one in an 85 GMC SWB and it pulled 18MPG back then!

Good luck and let us know how it goes, pix please!

[aggie91]

Originally Posted by 66-PMD-GMC

I am currently helping my friend Adrian with a motor swap in his 63 GMC.
Out comes the tired and broken old 814 pound V6.
The cost of rebuilding this overweight mill is not in the budget for my friend so we started searching and found a rebuilt 4.3L 262 CID V6 out of a mid 90's cargo van for $150.
Complete! Flywheel to clutch fan.

I've done some extensive homework on this motor and even with all the negative hype, in reality its a pretty nice unit..
Before I hear all the V6 bashing and "put a 350 in it" talk, it should be said that Adrian, the trucks own wants something unique and the Chevy 350 isn't that... No Small Block Chebby will be going in the little GMC..
Adrian's 63 is going to be a smooth cruiser, go fast isn't in it's future.. super performance just isn't necessary..
This little mill we found is the 215hp roller cam, fuel injected version.
Since fuel injection and electronic engine management isn't in the budget, yet, a marine 4bbl intake has been found and an HEI distributor ordered.
Doing some quick measurements it looks as if the lil 6 will bolt right in like its V8 big brother.
A T5 will be sitting behind the little mill..

So what is this post about?
I am wondering if anyone on the forum has done this 4.3 swap with a 60-66 truck or suburban.
I see tons of potential, budget permitting, for this swap with lots of future mods available.

I found a beautiful 67 C10 with a 4.3 V6 on the forum, its very nice, but my question is, are there more trucks out there that the owner was brave enough to do something different?

If so, where are they?

I say go for it too. I think the 4.3 is a great lille motor. I think this thread has given me a direction for my next version of my '65.

Originally Posted by Clyde65

I say go for it! not ever day you find a running motor for $150!

I had one in an 85 GMC SWB and it pulled 18MPG back then!

Good luck and let us know how it goes, pix please!

Funn that you said you had one...I just picked up a 1985 GMC SWB fleetside that is all original with a 4.3/TH400 combo. I was shocked there was a TH400 in it since most came with the 700r4 trans at the time. But the SPID is still there and sure enough it is factory 3 speed auto trans. Only one available then was the Th400. It has 2.73 rear gears so it should have gotten great highway mileage.

I got the truck to do a LS swap and make a daily driver. Looks like I might just rebuild the 4.3 and use all the brackets and mounts from the '85 to it in the '65.

Keep up updated on what yall do...

[Clyde65]

Originally Posted by aggie91

I say go for it too. I think the 4.3 is a great lille motor. I think this thread has given me a direction for my next version of my '65.



Funn that you said you had one...I just picked up a 1985 GMC SWB fleetside that is all original with a 4.3/TH400 combo. I was shocked there was a TH400 in it since most came with the 700r4 trans at the time. But the SPID is still there and sure enough it is factory 3 speed auto trans. Only one available then was the Th400. It has 2.73 rear gears so it should have gotten great highway mileage.

I got the truck to do a LS swap and make a daily driver. Looks like I might just rebuild the 4.3 and use all the brackets and mounts from the '85 to it in the '65.

Keep up updated on what yall do...

I would love to find one just like I had... Mine was a SWB, Sierra Classic, fully loaded with the 400, only option not ordered was the v8. I ordered it from the dealer I worked at. BTW, it was 29 Midnight Blue

[55dude]

great choice and fell in your budget. years back i sold a guy some 63 gmc parts for a clapped out 3/4 ton, ROLLING JUNK! guy tells me it has 4 cyl. in it so naturally i think 153 chevy 2 engine, guy had TOYOTA 22R/5spd in it with webber and headers! he put it in when V6 died because it was in his budget: FREE!

[Shaky]

The later-model 4.3s have some nice features. I have 2006 C1500 and the 4.3 has dual-cats, tubular exhaust manifold, port injection, and a roller cam. It makes more hp than the 5.0 in Mustangs back in the '80s...