Thread: Need information on fitment of 95-96 4.3 Chevy engine

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I will be the first to admit that I haven't been too much into the 4.3 engine. I have had a couple in boats that have unexplained vibration that I wasn't crazy about. I later found out why.
Personally, I would not put $1100 in a valve job on a 4.3. I am just looking for alternatives for my nephew. I could pull the heads and do the valve job for him since I am a Journeyman Machinist. I even have most of old school equipment to do it with, but I am not looking for any work to do.
It is one thing to do something for yourself, especially when you need it. His truck would be easier to drop a small block V8 in than fool with the 4.3 but he is unsure what he wants to do. I ran across a really good deal on 2008 4.3 and was told about the impossibility of exchange into a 94. This just didn't ring a bell with me
I will wind up either rebuilding his 4.3 or dropping the small block in it's place to help him out. I can grind his valves, seats and resurface his heads for a little of nothing other than the trouble of doing it and the price of the gaskets providing they are not cracked. I think $1100 is way too much for the valve job anyway.
I have had three open heart surgeries, three heart attacks and two small strokes. Like I said, I am not looking for too much work right now. My main reason for asking about the 2008 4.3 was that I could find a use for the 4l60E that was attached and split the cost with him. I have found that the 4.3 doesn't really get much better, if any, mileage than a small V8 because they have to work harder to keep up. I am thinking that it would be just about as easy to install a 5.3 and better mileage too. 21 MPG in a 4X4 pick up truck. I haven't seen a 4.3 that will do that. Same transmission bolt pattern, different mounts but that is no problem.
I have found that in my case, it is easier to do something when you are interested than when you have to and not interested. Know what I mean?
Heck, I told him of another truck that I could get for $1000 that was 4X4 extended cab with a bad fuel pump. He is still thinking about it. Not too much to think about in my opinion, but it is his decision. It is a lot more fun to build a street rod anyway.
Thanks to all for the information. It is much appreciated.

Hope you are doing well with the health issues. I've had a couple of each one of those too (heart attack and strokes) so know how you feel.

I also understand what you mean about not wanting to immerse yourself in another persons project. There have been times when I have tried to help someone out by doing some mechanical job for them and most times they end up becoming a nightmare and biting you in the end. On your own projects you can accept that problems and additional expenses arise, but that isn't always the case when you are spending another persons money. Both of you end up wondering why you ever got into that mess in the first place.

The other thing Ed, no one is 100% sure what is going on with that engine. The mechanic simply looked at the plugs and proclaimed bad heads. I would do a proper compression check and leakdown test. It could be something much more simple and different. You are also right about the 4.3 not being a gas sipper. The marina I once worked at sold new boats, some with 4.3's in them and customers were always complaining they should have spent a few bucks more for the V8 as theirs wasn't as good on gas as they thought it might be.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Don

Hi Itoldyouso,

Looks as though we are in the same boat, or at least in the same lake. Sometimes it feels like a whirlpool. I questioned him about how the mechanic knew the heads needed a valve job just by looking at the plugs. He must be a lot better than I am. I have worked at 4 different GM dealerships before I became a Journeyman Machinist.
My Nephew is a good kid and I want to help him save some money. He is self employed in home construction and needs his truck. Like I said, I would prefer to replace the engine with a 305 or 350 of similar vintage. Most of the wiring will hook up with a few changes and the exhaust. Being self employed money counts so I can see why he needs to try and do it his self.
Not necessarily in this case, but most of the time when I try to help someone out I wind up doing all the work, they are gone and I am still wondering how I will get my own stuff done. Seems it is vastly one-sided.
The 4.3 is a good engine but it stands to reason when it has to work so hard and require more throttle to keep up that sometimes the larger engine is a better choice.

Hurst... STOP !!!! It might not need a Valve job... I was a GM line tech in the 80's-90's and 00's. The 94 engine used a Linear EGR valve that gave us a fit. Sometimes the valve itself would be bad, OR a hunk of carbon would get hung up in it and stick it open. Now, it gives the syptoms of a fried valve. So, pull off the EGR, check it for chunks of carbon stuck in the printle valve. If nothing there, then get the valve checked. Also, if there is a hunk of carbon in it, pick it out, then cap the hole going to the intake side and start it up with the valve off, this will blow any other loose carbon out. then reinstall valve. It would also explain the sooted up spark plugs. It can cause, low power, bad or no idling, excessive black tailpipe smoke, and a miss. The problem was so bad, a service bulletin was issued to address it;

( I stole this off another site )
Repeat failure
Repeat failure is a common problem. You can recommend a top engine clean to the customer and attempt to clean loose carbon from the upper intake. GM has noted the problem and come up with a software update for the PCM. Essentially, what the update does is periodically command the EGR to 100 percent opening to prevent or flush out carbon chunks. The new prom numbers were in a "special policy" procedure bulletin and not a regular TSB. The special policy number is 96067(A). It refers to '92-'94 S/T, M/L and C trucks with the 4.3 V6 engine and linear EGR valve. The bulletin number is 67-65-38. It refers to '95 C, S/T and M/L trucks with the 4.3 V6 engine and linear EGR valve.

Weasel Diesel,

Thanks for the information. I have not seen the truck for almost a year. I was planning to have a look at it later this week. I would not have just yanked it apart without checking it though. No way I would take someone's word for something like that, too much work. If I pull it apart it is because it needed it.
I was unaware of the bulletin that GM had put out on the 4.3. It has been several years since I worked for GM. It was far enough back that we were not called Techs. I certainly appreciate you taking the time and trouble to post this information, it will give me a heads up and I will check it first thing.
I have always found this to be a pretty decent site to find information.