Thread: Chevy V6 help...

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i was wondering about older model chevy V6's.
Im 17 and doing mechanics and i have a 1990 holden rodeo and its got a stock strait 4. i wann drop in a chevy v6 but i cant find any information on them and whats the best one. i cant find what years they were made (because i want a older one and rebuild it) you hear about all the HQ's with Chevy V8's, im looking for a Chevy V6. anyone please help.
Thanks Ben.

4.3 Chevy is a great engine. It is just a 350 with 2 cylinders cut off. You can get lots of speed equipment for it, and it bolts up to all the usual chevy transmissions. Later versions are also Vortec's.

Don

Thanks for that don. Do you know what year those engines were made?

Thanks Ben.

I know of them from the mid 80's to present, but they may go back further. They are used alot in S10 trucks, and also in many marine applications. I bought one a while ago from an S10 and converted it to use in one of my boats. They share many parts with the 350, water pump, starter, etc.

Don

The early ones were odd fire & the newer ones are even fire. All the odd fires were 3.8 liter, but the newer 3.8's & all the 4.3's are even fire. The change over was in late 70's.

You will want a even fire. I had a turbo 3.8 in a 32 high boy & it would scoote.

Don

The Chevy 4.3's are excellent engines with a lot of power and torque. Have one in a Chevy Astro van which is used to pull a 22 foot aluminum trailer with a 34 Chevy Master 2 door sedan street rod on board. Never any power problems hauling it from Florida to PA to Louisville and back. Decent engine.

A 4.3 is a sawed off 350 as others have said. It is NOT kin to a 3.8.

The TBI 4.3 was built 85-98 as I remember.
The Vortec name was used on quite a range from 85 up
The 02 up are Multiport and are option LU3 or LG3

All are 4.4 inches shorter than a small block chev (which is the bore spacing on a small block V8)

transmissions, water pumps, timing covers, motor mounts, and front brackets are same as V8

Thanks guys. do you know where i can pick one up in australia? it doesnt have to be in good condition, coz it will rebuilt most likley.
thanks ben.

A lot of S10 trucks have them as well as the full sized Chevys and GMC trucks. Look for typical Chev valve covers and water pump.....the neat thing about a 4.3 is the commonality with the 5.7......parts are easy to find and cheap to buy.....

thanks for that. i'll keep my eye out for any on the tdaing post or sumthing like that. any where i shood look out for em?

Thanks Ben.

The 3.8 is a sawed off 327 & a 4.3 is a sawed off 350. GM G-bodies used them(78 to 88 Buick Regal, El Camino Malibu,Grand Prix & Cutless),both the S-10 & full size Chevy used them.

Don

The later 4.3's are pretty sophisticated little engines. Roller cams, good Vortec heads, etc. I built a '97 out of an S10, and it has all these goodies, and is a great running motor. You can get aluminum intakes, cams, headers, etc to wake them up even more, and to get rid of the fuel injection, if you desire.

With gas prices climbing, they are a pretty good alternative. The one we built for the boat is very fuel efficient.

Don

>i was wondering about older model chevy V6's.

Just to add a bit to what others said, The Chevy 90º V6 shouldn't be confused with the Buick version which is easily identified by the front mounted distributor. The Chevy was introduced in 1978 as a 200 cubic inch version and was based on the 267 with two cylinders removed. Later, the displacement was changed to 229 by using the bore/ stroke of the 305. Those engines were semi-even fire, utilizing 18º split crank throws. In 1985, the 4.3L version was introduced and used the same bore/stroke as the 5.7L V8. The biggest change other than dispacement was the change to full even fire with 30º split crank throws. This change required an increase in rod journal diameter thus the rods are not interchangeable with the V8 version. In 1986, the engine received the one piece main seal and roller lifters. In the early 90's, a balance shaft was added. Those engines can be identified by the taller timing cover. The next big change came in 1996 with the Vortec heads. Note that the Vortec label had been used before then, but the "true" Vortec heads are from 1996 on and have an 8 bolt intake, thus earlier intakes don't interchange. Edelbrock makes an intake for use with carb and Vortec heads on earlier blocks.

Bob

i noticed you keep asking where to find one and no one answers.... try looking in a wrecking yard..... i know australia is a little more different than the US but you gotta have somewhere old dead vehicles go

Thanks for all your help guys.
I've contacted a wreckers and waiting for them to get back to me.
Does any one from australia know any other good wreckers in the melbourne area?
Thanks Ben.