Taking a 2.8L out of an '87 Jimmy

[mrelmwood]

I read the book and I don't want to do it that way. Mine is a 5 speed manual 4x4. Can't I just undo the four bolts from the trans to the bellhousing, undo the motor mounts and pull the thing out?
Why do auto wreckers and parts guys actually laugh when I tell them I have a 2.8L? Why are they telling me to search the bottom of lakes for replacement engines? Why did I buy a 2.8 instead of a 4.3 in the first place? Was God mad at me?

[LOHRTBT]

LOL

[BigRed]

Not sure that you're necessarily posting in the right place. Everyone here has the fullsize, 73-87 trucks. Other than Big Paul. He may be able to help you.

If you haven't tried Chevy Talk (www.chevytalk.org), they may be able to help you. They actually have a 82-Present S10's, S10 Blazers & AstroVans board there.

But, I'm not running you off. Hopefully somebody can answer your question.

[gchemist]

2.8 liters is less than the displacement of a 3 liter Coke bottle. Oh yea, in a 4X4 too. HAHAHAH

Yes you can remove the engine without the tranny. You must however support the tranny/transfer case before you unbolt the engine. Go over to ChevyTalk. There is a guy who added a SB Chevy to a Blazer!! That thing rocks. I'm sure he can help you with details on an engine swap. His was 4X2 though.

[Big Paul]

Originally posted by gchemist
2.8 liters is less than the displacement of a 3 liter Coke bottle. Oh yea, in a 4X4 too. HAHAHAH

Oh nooo. G, don't get me started with my stories about the 800HP 2.8L, we all know your 305 isn't that bad a$$.

Thanks for the intro Big Red. I've never pulled a 2.8L although I have one.

2.8's aren't that bad in 2wd's but in 4wd's there doggier then a 2HP go kart. If you had went with a 4.3 you'd have to change transmissions, or the bellhousing, since its a 5spd. Or you could have went with the HT 3.4 that GMPP sells as a direct replacement, that will bolt up with no problems, and use all the stock 2.8L stuff.

Good luck.

[1974ChevyC10]

you have to undo the motor mounts
the tranny bolts
remove all the engine accessories and wiring
remove the exhaust manifolds

its not really hard to do just time consuming.the reason your getting hell for the 2.8 is its not the most popular motor out there.
i think a 4.3 swap is a good thing for you it means a tranny swap but thats not to hard.if you do leave the tranny in you dont necessarily need to support the tranny while its in the truck ive taken motors out of vehicles and left the tranny unsupported it wont hurt anything that bad i know from expierience.i would just swap for the 4.3 myself and not even waste time with the 2.8.

you could remove the engine by taking the 4 tranny bolts off but you would destroy alot of things in the process so its not the best idea lol

hope this helps you out in your endeavor

[bigblock73]

Never heard of a "3" litre Coke bottle...maybe "2" litre. ?

Maybe it is a Texas thing.

[mike reeh]

Originally posted by bigblock73
Never heard of a "3" litre Coke bottle...maybe "2" litre. ?

Maybe it is a Texas thing.

you beat me to it!

-mike

[mrelmwood]

So I have an engine more suited to a go cart. So the pistons are the size of pencils. There are 3 litre boxes of wine and , man, are they small. it was suggested that I try chevytalk. I am playing one board off against the other. The info on the 3.4 is interesting, but, how do I get it into an '87. Computer, exhaust, etc. What do I get with one? What swaps from the 2.8 to the 3.4? Is it the same block?

[1974ChevyC10]

Originally posted by mrelmwood
So I have an engine more suited to a go cart. So the pistons are the size of pencils. There are 3 litre boxes of wine and , man, are they small. it was suggested that I try chevytalk. I am playing one board off against the other. The info on the 3.4 is interesting, but, how do I get it into an '87. Computer, exhaust, etc. What do I get with one? What swaps from the 2.8 to the 3.4? Is it the same block?

pretty much all of your engine accessories do if im not mistaken.its kinda like going from a 305 to a 350 most of the accessories are interchangable.in arizona where im from ive seen 3 liter bottles of store brand sodas but never any name brand sodas-maybe it is a texas thing or there started to introduce them in certain markets as a test sort of thing.although ive personally never seen the inside of a 2.8 engine i would imagine the pistons are bigger than pencils.the 3.4 is probably for the most part the same block just different bore and stroke but im not to familiar with the 3.4 myself.you can buy them from GM there a crate engine.good luck with your engine swap keep us posted on how it turns out or what you decide.

[Big Paul]

2.8L = 3.50" bore x 3.00" stroke. 173 CID

The 3.4L is just a bored and stroked version. 207 CID

The 3.4L is nearly the same engine, if you looked at a 3.4 and 2.8 side by side, you wouldn't be able to tell which was which.

EVERYTHING from the 2.8L WILL bolt up to the 3.4L. Thats what makes that engine swap so great.

If anyone laughed at me if I went to a junkyard or where ever after I told them I had a 2.8L, they have a f**king boot up there a$$.

You guys probably think i'm BSing, but i've whooped guys in 350 trucks, 305 trucks, and whooped on my friends stock 4.3 S-10.

[racedvl]

2.8L have poor oiling systems, that's why they are not a good engine. I guy I know is on his 3rd 2.8L in his S-10. I dunno why he just doesn't pitch the thing. Hell with the 4.3L install, go small block!! Everyone has one laying in their yard, they can be built cheap, and advance adaptors has all the parts you would need to shoehorn a small block in there.

[Big Paul]

Originally posted by racedvl
2.8L have poor oiling systems, that's why they are not a good engine.

'87 up they fixed the oiling problems. And they did something else to make the block better all around. Forget now.

[racedvl]

Hhhhmmm, didn't know that. I know that the truck I was speaking of was a 91ish, and he had always gotten GM crate engines, but who knows......