Chevy V6 help...

[mechanic-man]

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.

[Itoldyouso]

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

[mechanic-man]

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

Thanks Ben.

[Itoldyouso]

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

[Don Meyer]

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

[mopar34]

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.

[bobscogin]

>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

[thesals]

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

[mechanic-man]

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.

[mechanic-man]

This is a stupid Question but.. Is the 4.3L chev V6 a 4 speed or 5? can someone give me some information on the transmission. only because i seen the add on the front page for the David Kee 4Speed top-loaders.

Thanks a ton Ben.

[Itoldyouso]

They can be either, or automatic. Any standard Chevy bellhousing will bolt up. Most were automatic or 5 speed, as in the S10 trucks.

Don

[mechanic-man]

DAMMIT! the exact engine i was waiting on to check out at the wreckers was sold before i got a chance to look at it!
Back to square one! any aussie's know any wreckers in the melbourne area?

Thanks alot guys Ben.