87 gmc swb

[KrazyRay]

I went to pick up another parts truck and came home with this. Its an 87 2wd shortbed that used to be a county truck so its stripped down pretty good. Single gas tank, warning lights and a 4.3 V6. The engine needs to be replaced, but the CA tags are good until August. This one is too clean to part out so I need to find a 4.3 since its a heinous crime to upgrade to a V8 here in CA. Also, a V8 would require a new computer and harness. Any ideas on fuel economy and reliability with the 4.3? How about a 3/5 drop?

[KrazyRay]

bad seat and grille

[LEEVON]

Nice score! We pay dearly for clean bodies like that out here. Your predicament with the V8 upgrade reminds me of the Alice's Restaurant Masacree song/movie where they dumped the garbage and got arrested.

As for the 4.3L, they are EXTREMELY reliable. Mileage is depending on your gears, etc. but my Dad and I had a 4.3L / 5-speed in a fullsize that regularly got 20mpg and went well over 200k with nothing but a water pump and a clutch.

[KrazyRay]

Thanks. This has the 700R4 and probably the standard gear set for this model year.

[LEEVON]

3.08 maybe? I think you'll be happy with the 4.3L regardless. Just no V8 noise.

[88Jimmy4x4]

Looks unmolested, nice score for sure
Posted via Mobile Device

[64swb]

Swapping to a 350 would only require 1 wire to be lengthened on the 4.3 harness. You would have to swap the computer or at least the chip to one from a v8 truck. If you're interested though, I have a low (under 30k) goodwrench 4.3 I could part with. Pm me if your're interested I'm in the placcerville area.

[Rich84]

I had a company truck 1 ton van with the 4.3.. Put 200,000 on it. Hauling drywall and steel..Suprised the hell out of me.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by LEEVON

As for the 4.3L, they are EXTREMELY reliable. Mileage is depending on your gears, etc. but my Dad and I had a 4.3L / 5-speed in a fullsize that regularly got 20mpg and went well over 200k with nothing but a water pump and a clutch.

x2. Me too, except I'm still on my original water pump and clutch.

3.73 rear gears for me, with the MY6 manual overdrive.

K

[KrazyRay]

I have a couple of leads on 4.3 engines. One of them has the hydraulic bellhousing attached to it. There is something about these clean no option trucks that makes me fall in love with them!

[bikeman59]

I've had several 4.3's and they've all been very reliable. The last one I had was in an Astro van with a 700R4, almost 300k and was still going strong when I traded it for another vehicle. And I was getting 24 mpg at it's best.

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

x2. Me too, except I'm still on my original water pump and clutch.

3.73 rear gears for me, with the MY6 manual overdrive.

K

I was going to mention yours and all of the hauling you do but I knew you'd chime in! We would have made it on one clutch, buy my sister just HAD to learn to drive stick LOL. Man that NV3500 was a dog, but it sure could cruise on the highway.

[Duster]

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

Thanks. This has the 700R4 and probably the standard gear set for this model year.

A lot of times those company trucks were ordered with low gears and g80's in them. Not 4.56 low or anything, but it might have 3.42's or 3.73's. I would check it out. Highly desired.

[D13]

Most likely 3.08's, pretty standard. My 1990 4.3 700R4 3.08's ran 21-23mpg. went 215,000, sold it because of not enough seats and the front end worn out. Still kicking myself.

[mrhino]

nice truck, looks just like mine except mines v8

[KrazyRay]

Nice looking truck! Yours has the bigger engine and bigger mirrors. I wish mine had your wheels.

[rktolds]

Nice truck. Mine is trimmed out the same, just white with blue interior. I plan on fixing my oil leak and driving mine for now. It runs well and stops good. Good luck with the build.