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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 46 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 46 | I have a 48 chevy truck with completed front and rear suspension on the stock frame. I have a chassis engineering mustang 2 front suspension and new originsl type rear leaf springs with a 3 inch drop. I would like to keep my truck original in appearance but modern in drivetrain. I was hoping to use a 4.3 v6 with a 500 cfm edelbrock carb. I am planning on changing the re as re d gears to 3.42 gear ratio. Also I will be running a 350 turbo trans. Anyone have any advice on the route I am taking. I am hoping to build a fun cruiser that looks and sounds original but mo f ified. All my information places curb weight at around 3300 lbs. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,442 | Several around my area with the 4.5, it seems to fit nicely and with the rest of your mods it should drive well. By the way it won't sound original. There is very little in the way of engines that sound like a Stovebolt.
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,971 | I think a 4.3 would be a great engine for these trucks. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | There will probably be the same steering gear clearance issues as with a V8. The 4.3 is basically a 305 with two cylinders lopped off the front. Since you're using aftermarket front suspension, that might not be a serious problem. If you run a 700R4 instead of a 350 you'll have overdrive. Lots of S-10 pickups ran the 4.3/700R4 combination so an engine/trans assembly shouldn't be hard to find.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 39 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 39 | I believe (and I could be wrong) that the 4.3 is a 350 with two cylinders chopped off. 5.7divided 8= .7125X6=4.275 liters
Tim White
49 Chevy panel
91 Jeep YJ
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 28,674 | Yep, the earlier 228 Chevy (3.8L) was a cutdown 305.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 39 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Jan 2015 Posts: 39 | The 4.3 is one of the all time great engines there are a few performance parts made for them. The only other V6 I would consider using is the Buick 231 even fire.
Tim White
49 Chevy panel
91 Jeep YJ
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,832 | We have done several S10 to AD frame swaps and many S10's came with the 4.3 which was mated to a 700R4. The ones that decided to stay with the 4.3 rather than go the V8 route are very satisfied. I have noticed that the 0-60 times seem close between the 4.3 and a bone stock V8 but of course the V8 out pulls them after sixty or so.
Evan
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