Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines 4.3 Litre V-6

I realize this is an inline board and don't mean to make any enemies.......LOL...but what do you guys think about the 4.3Litre Chevy V-6 ? If you guys don't already know I'll englighten you a little on this engine.It has the same bore and stroke as a small block 350 but only six cyls.With it being a 90 degree v engine one would think it shouldn't be cold natured like our inlines.If any of you guys have any experience with these engines,I'd like to hear about it.They came in chevy S-10 pickups.Thanks for listening fellas.........see ya'll..........Gerald

I have one in my full size truck.... it came that way. Its a 95 chevy. Have not have to open it up or do much to it. It now has 120K miles on it. I do pull my boat with it with much trouble FYI

Clyde

I have an earlier (3.8) version in my El Camino. (not the Buick 3.8 but Chevy's version which is a 305 minus 2 cylinders)It's a relatively trouble-free engine, and there is a lot of parts interchange with the corresponding V8, but it's also pretty much a dog of a motor, even with all the emissions junk removed. The later EFI versions are better, but it just doesn't seem to be a very smooth performer, and power is just adequate. Of course, maybe I'm spoiled after too many L6s in various cars over the years.

I have a 4.3L V-6 in my '90 Chevy Astro Van. With over 163k and climbing, it still pulls and hauls trailers with no probs.

The only thing I'd think about replacing it with would be the new Vortec 4200 L6!


I wonder if it would fit without much modding...


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(O)2(O)5(O)0(O)S(O)I(O)X
PHAT250Six
Git in! Sit Down! Shut Up! Hang On!
And when in doubt... STICK YER FOOT IN IT!
250 L6 in a '69 Camaro


[This message has been edited by PHAT250Six (edited 07-17-2003).]

So do you guys think a 4.3L V-6 will pull better in my 78 Chevy K-10 4x4 or a 292 L6?At this point my trucks been down so long I have time to figure out what I want to do.........and I'm not going wit a v-8.

I played with the 4.3 for quite a while in various vehicles, and I would recommend it for a light-to-medium weight pickup on the street. They do well as long as the radiator is intended for a v8 or at least A/C.

If you plan on offroading a large, heavy truck, stick with a mostly-stock 292. It's got a whole lot more torque at lower engine speeds and will pull you out of most anything. The 4.3, unless it's a CFI version (Central Fuel Injection) doesn't make big torque, just adequate.

The only "easy" thing about the 4.3 conversion is almost everything is the same as a v8: water & fuel pumps, mounts, starter, carb/EFI, you name it. Just the engine itself and the exhaust manifolds (of course!).

I've seen econo dragsters with built 4.3 engines, and they haul the mail. But they're just as expensive to build to that power level as a smallblock, and make the same power per cylinder.

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David
newbie #4153

Thanks for the good info David.I have pondered whether to use the 292 or the 4.3 for a while but I believe now I will stick with the inline motor.Take care................Gerald