s10 swap, for those of you wondering....

[BlueJeep]

For those of you wondering about swapping an s10 frame into an AD truck and leaving the 4.3 in the stock location, I don't think it'll work unless you have some very creative ideas as to where to put the radiator, and even then...

Here are the pics:
front:


and rear, look at how easy those bellhousing bolts are to get to:

[mg98ta]

That's funny. Got lots a room there. I seen where someone had the 4.3 in there truck. I guess they move the engine and tranny back though because it sat just right.

[BlueJeep]

These pictures were taken before I moved the motor back 7". It fits much nicer now, with plenty of room for the radiator.

[53GMC]

oh i see said the blind man...haha

so, that poses another question for me to ask....what steps would one take in moving the motor back? i am new to moving engines back and what adjustments would there be for the driveshaft? would i need to replace it with another or can that one be adjusted....

[mg98ta]

You would basically move the motor and transmission mounts back however far needed. Bolt or weld them in place. As for the driveshaft it could be shortened. But, I would scrounge around for another driveshaft that is close in length for the new mounts.

[ratrodmiller]

looks good keep those pics coming .

[c10addict]

Thanks for the pics!!! Helps all of us who are not quite there yet!!!

[nickp51chevy]

This is what sgtusmc's engine compartment looks like. He didn't move anything.
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...99&postcount=6

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by nickp51chevy

This is what sgtusmc's engine compartment looks like. He didn't move anything.
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...99&postcount=6

I'm running the 2.8. I had no idea the 4.3 was that much longer. I've seen both engines side by side at a car show (both were in the s10's) and they looked like the same size...weird. I swithed over to an e-fan from a tauras. Now I really have some room to play with.

[nickp51chevy]

Copy that!

[c10addict]

Crazy how one fits vs the other..... Not that its a big deal but I hope I don't have to move mine... It will save a lot of time and money!!!!

[ClassicDreamer]

not that it makes a difference. But what year is that motor. I have an 85 in mine. I will take shots of the engine bay as well but mine sits pretty far back.

Also what are your plans for the motor? stock or mods?

[BlueJeep]

1995 TBI 4.3, and it doesn't make any difference. :-)

This motor has 217,000 miles on it and it's staying bone stock. I have had really good luck with 4.3's in past projects, and when or if this motor gives up it'll get a 5.3. I had it so I decided I would use it...for now.

[53GMC]

Blue Jeep,

got one more question for you on all of this....i noticed in your pics that your grille and hood latch plate look different than mine....mine is a GMC, is yours a Chevy?

i believe this might affect the radiator placement on mine compared to yours....still not sure that ill have any more room even though my grille is placed further out ....im trying my best to get out of moving that motor but if i need to that wont be a problem since everyone has given me such great advice on how to go about it!

Thanks again everyone!

[ClassicDreamer]

Bluejeep,
have you had anyluck modding the 4.3's. Some years better than others? I have heard spider injectors suck. I ask because I am keeping the 4.3 in mine as well and planning to do a Twin Turbo on it. I have read many articles and peoples builds. Seems like they can take an ass whipping and still hold up great.

[BlueJeep]

Mine is a Chevy, but radiator mounting is pretty much in the same spot.

I really like the TBI 4.3's, they're about as reliable as you can get. Later years had the spider injectors on the multi-port injection...not a bad design...they just don't like to sit for a long time without running. That's when I've heard that people have problems with the spider. I'm not into modified motors...when they die I just go find another one and that works for what I use them for. They are tough little motors, and should be able to handle any modification you'd do to a SBC.

[Dan Bowles]

My understanding is the GMC engine is 2" longer so they changed the grill/rad/hood latch and moved it all forward. That may have made a difference in your placement. I've got a 327 in my son's truck and we only moved it back about 2" from stock and the 4.3 uses the same mount location, just the front of the motor is lopped off.

[50adrod]

any pics of how the trans mount was moved back??I was thinking of welding a piece of 1/4 plate to the existing mount and remounting the trans 6" back to it, seems easier than moving the location on the frame rails

[BlueJeep]

Looks like I didn't take any pictures of the transmission mount. I first thought I would cut up and modify the stock crossmember, but that would have been too much work. I ended up taking a piece of 1.75" square tube and making a new crossmember, and mounted that to the frame with tabs. Much, much easier and cleaner doing it that way.

Problem with extending your original one back is that the tranny pan would be in the way of the crossmember, so it'd end up being a lot of work.

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

Looks like I didn't take any pictures of the transmission mount. I first thought I would cut up and modify the stock crossmember, but that would have been too much work. I ended up taking a piece of 1.75" square tube and making a new crossmember, and mounted that to the frame with tabs. Much, much easier and cleaner doing it that way.

Problem with extending your original one back is that the tranny pan would be in the way of the crossmember, so it'd end up being a lot of work.

did not think about the pan clearance. I have some tubing that sounds easier