any difference between a 1989 4.3 TBI engine and a 1992 TBI

[markmitchinnh]

My S-10 is a early 1993 witch means the engine is a 1992 it has mega miles on it and is leaking oil from the rear main and leaking coolant from the intake or heads but no mix of oil and coolant. I have a 1989 4.3 from the Safari I am building I was going to junk the engine but never did. It has approx 80,000 miles on it I know it ran good when I pulled it. So other then the oil pan and oil pump (S-10 is 4x4) it should be the same right?

[MrJames]

For the 1992 model year, the 4.3L had its block design modified to allow a balance shaft to be installed.

These engines are denoted by their VIN number having a "B" at the eighth digit, in lieu of a "Z". Of note here, "B" engines are rated at 200 HP where the "Z" engines were rated at 165 HP.

[doyoulikeithere]

As long as your swapping a tbi engine with another tbi engine, you wont have any worries.
Even if the engine does have a balance shaft, so what. Still no worries.
I have a 95 engine with a balancer shaft, and I sat an 87 TBI manifold on top and drive it all the time.
No worries. Giver !

[MrJames]

I was noting the differences question between the engines rather than commenting on the suitability of using either one of them. It is correct that basically a 4.3L is a 4.3L.

[MrJames]

Wasn't the 1995 4.3L V6 engine produced as a multi-port fuel injection instead of a TBI ?

[markmitchinnh]

So basically I could rebuild ( stock) the 89 and install it in the truck later? Thats basically what I was asking.

[1Gary]

Mark-here is a outline of the 4.3's:

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/Article ... y_262.aspx

Might want to bookmark it.It is a really good ref.

[markmitchinnh]

Well after doing some research on my own engines I found this out: the engine in my S-10 has approx: 80,000 miles on it since it was installed as a rebuilt engine 4 years ago. The 89 engine that came out of my safari is original equipment with 198,000 miles on it when removed from my project van. So basically for now I am going to pull my S-10 engine out set it on the engine stand , clean it pull the intake and heads off it, replace the rear main seal, have the heads.shaved then reinstall everything and put it back into the truck.,

[astrozam]

Well after doing some research on my own engines I found this out: the engine in my S-10 has approx: 80,000 miles on it since it was installed as a rebuilt engine 4 years ago. The 89 engine that came out of my safari is original equipment with 198,000 miles on it when removed from my project van. So basically for now I am going to pull my S-10 engine out set it on the engine stand , clean it pull the intake and heads off it, replace the rear main seal, have the heads.shaved then reinstall everything and put it back into the truck.,

Cool...be sure to take lotsa pics

[markmitchinnh]

I was thinking also, I may just take the 89 heads apart and attempt porting them just for the sake of trying, anyone ever done this? Maybe you can give me some pointers?

[doyoulikeithere]

I was thinking also, I may just take the 89 heads apart and attempt porting them just for the sake of trying, anyone ever done this? Maybe you can give me some pointers?

My advice would be , dont bother. If you want better flowing heads, buy a used set of vortec heads from a 96 to 99 or so engine, at the P&P, or on CL.
you will need to get or adapt a intake manifold to run a tbi on them, but the stock flow improvement will be huge.
Theres a lot of bush buggy 4x4s around here with the old non balancer shaft 89 style 4.3 engine, newer vortec style heads, forged pistons and a cam.
Its a real popular combo. Not everyone runs a tbi on that, but basically you could adapt any fuel system you like, as long as you have the parts to do it.
One guy I've seen around here has a turbo in his 4.3 buggy.

I like the edelbrock 2114 manifold for putting a TBI onto vortec heads. I have an adapter to plate to set a tbi where a 4bbl should be. I picked these up used on CL.

[markmitchinnh]

See the problem with those vortec heads is first I would have to pay like 150.00 to buy them then close to 400 just for the intake , personally for maybe 15 more hp and a few MPG 500 bucks is alot of money.

[1Gary]

Mark.Read the whole link I left for you and you will find OEM parts that will give you advantages.Cheaply.

[markmitchinnh]

That site is down at the moment, but I will check it out later when its up again. Thank you, Mark

[1Gary]

Mark the key about www.Enginebuildermag.com is it is for shops in the business and many of the articles are from industry leaders.It isn't a end user/fan based site.So beyond just what your looking for,take a look at the monthly tech tips and bookmark the site for monthly reviews.There are tons of good reliable information.