[Will]

Not sure if this is the right forum for this but given how many smart people there are on this board I figure at least a couple of you are probably into Chevies and maybe can help.

My Googling has produced slim information about this and most Chevy forums have no info since no one builds 4.3s:

I'm going to put a late '90s - early '00s Vortec 4.3 V6 into my Toyota 4x4. It will be converted to carb and HEI so as to eliminate computer controls and the complexity of the weird EFI injector system on these engines. These engines come with big, bulky aluminum castings to support the accessories. My truck doesn't have AC so that presents a problem for the factory serpentine belt, and the stuff on the front of these engines just looks like crap anyway in addition to being really bulky and possibly presenting clearance issues in a cramped engine compartment originally designed for a small 4-cylinder.

I've done some searching and it *looks* like these 4.3 blocks have pretty much all the same bolt holes on the front of them as old-school smallblocks. I'm hoping I can buy a traditional smallblock timing cover and water pump and brackets for alternator and PS pump and be able to run stock V-belt pulleys or maybe a serpentine belt if I can find a kit cheap enough.

I'm looking for confirmation on whether this is true - can you convert a later Vortec 4.3 V6 to early smallblock accessories without any major hassles?

If anyone knows of a better source for this information, I'd appreciate links or whatever.

Thanks!