well...since i have a '40 Chev and am currently putting a '51 onto a '97 S-10 chassis i believe i can speak with some credibility here. First-use only a chassis with a 4.3..i would never put the 2.8 in...TBI would be the easiest to use however a vortec 4.3 would provide a significant improvement. Stock chassis height provides some troubles....with the rise in the S-10 chassis over the rear axle you must raise the body line and lower the ride height of the suspension. I however am taking a different approach....we have left the body line about where the s-10 was and are raising the level of the bed wood to acomidate the raise in the frame at the rear. Your front track-width will be about right depending on what wheel u want to run...you will need to change rear axle to something wider....easieat change will be to a s-10 4X4 rear axle....stock s-10 is 55" some 4x4 are 57-59"...sufficent to clear box depending on wheel u run
