I'm looking to swap a rebuilt 1977 350 into my 1986 C10. I have the three-speed manual. I know I need new engine mounts, but do I also need a different bellhousing? Will the 4.3L bellhousing bolt up to a 350? Any tips appreciated. Thanks!
There is a company that has a kit to do just this. check out a copy of "Truckin". You should find them in there. frank C ;-)
A 4.3 is basically a small block V8 with 2 cylinders missing. Front accessories and rear bellhousing are the same.The motor mounts are the same too but the frame brackets will probably be different. Tom
Thanks for the help, but I decided to buy $100 worth of engine seals and rebuild the 4.3L. I figgered that with only 66k on the engine, 140-150psi across all cylinders, and good oil pressure (though I'm putting in a high-flow oil pump when I change the oil pan seal), the Vortec 4.3 should be reliable. Thanks though!
UPDATE: Well, I've decided to go ahead with the V8 swap. The 4.3L was WAY worse than I thought, and I can get a rebuilt 350 out of a '77 Blazer for $400. I'm going to check out the kit that Frank C. recommends for the conversion. Thanks, people! Anyone else done this project? Any tips I need to know?
you might try www.ck5.com and asking around in their forum, i know there are a few people there that have swapped their 4.3s for 350s.
I have the 1985 custom deluxe 10 and smoked the 4.3 real good towing my boat, replaced it with a 1970 corvette 350 and had no probs had to move the frame brackets ahead,bolt holes were already there,put in a bigger 3 core rad with a matching shroud I picked up from a wrecking yard and went fishin 3 days later! The big dawg
