The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 3300 Series V6 in a 46 Chevy PU

Ok.. I have heard of putting a 4.3 V6 in and even a 2.8 V6... But I have a perfectly good fuel injected 3.3 V6 out of a 92 Pontiac (front wheel drive). Runs great. How much effort do you guys think it would be to put this in my 46? Do you think it would be worth it? I have seen adapter kits for 60 degree GM V6s to bolt up to 350T trannies, so I would assume this would work for this engine. My only big concern would be mounts.. Anyone heard of doing this? The engine is rated at 160 hp, so I think it would be enough power to pull it. I'm not after performance. What do you all think?

I had a 3.3 in a '98 Venture van some years ago. I bet that van weighed more than a stock '46 1/2-ton.

On this project I think you would be inviting some challenges turning the motor 90 degrees and creating mounts and exhaust and adapting the injection, or swapping it to a carburator and distributor.

The powerband on that 3.3 is probably a lot different than on the stock 216.

All that said, I've got a Cadillac Northstar that I've though about mounting in one of my old trucks. Similar challenges...

the 3300 engine is a derivitive of the Buick 3.8 v6. The adapter for the 60 degree will not work. You might be able to use a TH350 with the BOP bolt pattern. Now, something else to keep in mind-this engine was intended for front drive. This means that many of the components have been made for this application only. You know about the mounts already. There's also issues with the intake manifold and cooling system. The upper hose/thermostat housing is on the back of the engine, as is the throttle body housing.
I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will take alot of engineering/planning to make it work.

time to think for example chevy 2.8 v6's are motor mount challenged! trade for a cheap s-10 project with 2.8 v-6 from a guy leaving town. found out why motor was still sitting in the bed. front wheel drive 2.8's don't have side motor mounts! needless to say that truck recieved a 350 chevy. do tons of homework and take tech advice with lots of mmm! good luck and take lots of pic's if you do the swap.

hummm.... Thanks for the added concerns.. I was just thinking about how to mount it and not about the things that make it run. You are right about the thermostat and the throttle body position. I was thinking I could make this a cheap conversion, but now I'm thinking otherwise. Maybe I can trade this car for an engine... It's just sad to see it go. I've used it for 15 years as my daily driver.. Oh well. Thanks for the discussion.

You might want to research using that motor in some other places. I know there are Cadillac forums with lots of information on using those motors in ways GM never intended.

It would not surprise me to learn there is information about this motor somewhere too. Since much of what you need to know has little to do with old GM trucks, you might have better luck finding some of that info elsewhere.