4.3 V6 Swap???

[TheWedge]

Does anybody know of the ups and downs of swaping a 4.3 chevy motor into a 75 SIII right hand drive? Is it over the top hard because of the RHD, or is it a pretty straight forward swap with the exception of the motor mounts that will have to be fabricated? Also, are there any adapter plates to mate the 4.3to a series trans, or will I have to swap the trans also?

[jimfoo]

If it has the same bolt pattern as a V8, there are probably adapters floating around. I don't think anyone is currently making them on this side of the pond though. Better upgrade your axles too.

[TheWedge]

What if any problems am I going to encounter though because of the RHD?

[XtremeMarine]

I have a LHD and 2 RHD's sitting in the driveway. One of each is without engine in the engine bay right now. I looked in there and don't see any problems which you would encounter doing a motor swap. All steering components in a Series are very well tucked out of the way. In fact the chassis has the mounting plate for the steering box on both sides attached to the frame, so it is easy to see where the differences would be. You should have 0 fitment issues because of your steering. The next street over from me, I am helping a neighbor do a 4.3 Chevy swap into a Suzuki Samurai. So I went over there, and took some measurements. The engine is a little shorter than tha 2.25, so you'll have plenty of room to mount it in. If you cannot find an adapter to a series trans, than I'd just make sure that you use a trans with the shortest bellhousing available, so you don't have to make a custom super-short rear propshaft. Check the suzuki samurai board on pirate 4x4, and the guys over at spidertrax.com for ideas on 4.3's, when it comes to best transfer cases and trans to use with that engine, as that is a very common swap for them.

[TheWedge]

Thanks XtremeMarine, that was very helpful. I have located a 4.3 engine, and now am looking for a bellhousing from a 5 speed trans from a 4.3 motor. I talked to a guy today that seems to think it can be mated up that way, so we will see. Thanks again.

[zed]

had a friend just draw a diagram and give the specs to a machine shop.. they made an adapter plate for him for about a bill.

[TheWedge]

That is my next move if the bellhousing deal don't work out.

[zed]

let us know how that works out.
4.3 .. not the best engine.. By far...
but they certainly are a dime a dozen.

[XtremeMarine]

The later, last generation 4.3 Vortec's are actually pretty nice. And cheap as hell to fix and modify. For Series truck axles, though, I would limit the mods to a better breathing cam, and a set of headers. Otherwise you'll start breaking stuff easy. Stock 4.3 is over the limit of stock 10 splines, and right on the limit of HD10's or stock 24's.