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s10 engine interchangeability

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possum70

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I have an '82 s10. My son (14) and I are going to rebuild it for his first vehicle. Problem is 4.3 is shot, cracked block or something equally devastating. What I was wondering is what years can I get an engine that will fit for this truck? I would like to stay with the 4.3. Also, are the blocks that drastically different (meaning totally unusable)? I mean there are a lot of Chevy V6's but why wouldn't a newer one work if the everything was swapped onto it?
Any feedback is appreciated, thank you,
possum
 
All of the 4.3's in rear wheel drives are basically the same block. so they will all bolt in. the main differences that I know of is the stuff on top. which you can use the stock stuff from the s10 if you want.. the front wheel drive ones wont interchange for some reason that I cant remember. I think it was starter location or something. heres some info

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/chevy_small_block_v6.htm
 
Did someone swap a 4.3L into your '82?

Asking because a '82 wouldn't have had a 2.8L V6. The 4.3L didn't appear until at least 5 years later.
2.8L has a different bolt pattern and I believe requires more to be replaced than if you were just swapping a 4.3L with another 4.3L.
 
The person I got it from said 4.3 and I think I read it on the paperwork. That being said, I'm not immune from mistakes.:rolleyes: Kinda prone to them actually. I'm going to go look now.

possum
 
you're correct. according to the vin it came with a 2.8. now I need to check the engine to see if it was swapped.
 
OK, I have determined (with help) that my motor is a 2.8. What years had a 2.8 I could switch with ? Or, could I switch to a 4.3 without much trouble? I realize the radiator will need to be switched... the upper radiator hose is on opposite sides. I'm not even opposed to put a 4 cylinder in there, if I could find one cheap. It's for my son and he doesn't need to be tempted with power.
 
The 2.8L is a turd. Prone to breakage and crap mileage. The 4cyl would be a better choice. 2.8L also has it's own bellhousing pattern so you'd need to change the trans too in order to swap anything else in.
 
probably pretty easy except for the whole pedals and shifter thing

www.s10forum.com
here you got guys doing all the swaps you can thing of, diesels and LSx not excluded :)
 
2wd leaves a bit more options to swap in something cheap and easy...

The original 2.8 carb engine is a poor excuse for a power plant. With the stock engine mounts and trans bolt pattern you could swap in a 3.4 FI V6 from a slightly newer Camaro/Firebird. But this requires changing the truck to fuel injection or buying an intake and decent carb and turn the 3.4 into a carb engine, may also need ignition stuff not sure if the 2.8 stuff will swap over. I have not done too much research on this swap just know that they share the same mounts and bellhousing pattern.

You could really step up and swap in a 4.3 and a trans to go with it. Same issues, can swap truck over to the TBI injection or make the engine carbed. Additionally, you'll need a new trans, new rad, and engine mounts are different. May also need to move trans x-member on the frame and a new d-shaft. Or go one better and swap in a 305 or 350. FI or carb there is alot of aftermarket support for this swap and can be done pretty cheap.

If it were me, I'd swap in a 4.3 or small block for simplicity and parts availability. Yes, it may have more power than you want for the vehicle, but the whole job will be easier to complete.
 
If I were to swap to 4.3 fuel injection, would it just be a new engine (with all accessories on it), new radiator and engine mounts? Of course the transmission.

possum
 
...and computer and wiring. Possibly fuel setup.
 
I'm pretty sure the 3.4s that came in some Camaros are the same block, just a stroked version. Easy to find and drops right in.

The 4.3 swap can be done, but you have to beat on the firewall a little and move the firewall end of the steering column over a bit (drill new holes).
 
teacher_dave said:
I'm pretty sure the 3.4s that came in some Camaros are the same block, just a stroked version. Easy to find and drops right in.

The 4.3 swap can be done, but you have to beat on the firewall a little and move the firewall end of the steering column over a bit (drill new holes).
Click to expand...
3.4L shares the bolt pattern of the 2.8L. Popular upgrade for those that didn't want to switch the trans along with the engine.
 
I think if your going to go through the trouble of swapping a non-stock engine into the truck, may as well go with a v8. Otherwise I really don't see the point of swapping especially if you are going to do the trans too. By the time you have everything done and payed for you could have bought one with the powertrain you ended up with. It would be a good learning experience and time together though.

A note about the above mentioned forum. While a good place, it's not nearly as helpful as ck5.
 
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