[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!

[marxjunk]

Yes and no...depends on years and I don't know the year break..but the system you want is serpentine not old v belt . You don't have to change the cover or the crank pulley.

I would think aroun 83 ish and newer is when they started using serpentine systems. But there's a whole after market world out there for chevy,s so..if I was looking I'd look of a 90s sbc..the whole front is the same for a 4.3 and a v-8 like you think

[rod cole]

To add to you're troubles . The newer 4.3 has a counterbalance shaft that a carbed intake will not clear easily just a FYI. Look for older TBI engine not spider injected engine.

[Will]

Thanks for the replies! After no one responding for awhile I just kinda forgot about this thread.

I want a counterbalance engine. '96 and newer have better heads. Edelbrock makes an intake for them.

I'd like to find a solid, low mileage engine from a wrecked/parts vehicle. Swap the intake and distributor and be good to go with ~ 100 ft-lbs more torque than I have now... Of course the urge to mess with it might overtake me and I might pull the heads for some porting work and stick a smallish cam in...