I am building a budget econo-rod... I am using a '62 Olds F-85 with a bit of a bellflower / early 60's vibe with a 4.3L Chevy v-6 w/ 200R for motorvation... I know Edelbrock sells a 4bbl intake and cam but I haven't found a HEI style distributor. I am probably also going to need some headers... I want to run this without a damn computer and my goal is 27 MPG on the highway with decent performance.... as a daily driver in Ohio.... (It's either hotter than hell such as now, or freezing ass cold.... nothing temperate anymore) Does anyone have some good sources for aftermarket performance parts (Dist. / headers / etc.)? I am hoping that maybe one of the track T guys may have a few secrets? Anyone have a 4.3 laying around near southwest Ohio? Thanks, Andy
For the distributor you need to find an '85 or so Astro van with vacuum advance, or an '84-85 Chevy/GMC work truck with a carbed 4.3, also with vacuum advance. Myself, I'm still searching. HTH, Tim D.
check paceparts.com i've actually built a 4.3 and 2.8 they can be pretty fun headers http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...+4294819990+4294923429+115+4294839039&NeXID=5 dizzys http://store.summitracing.com/egnse...94819990+4294925143+4294839065+115+4294881256
JBA makes headers, MSD should have the distributer. Pretty much anythinf you can get for a 350 you can get for one of these. as far as getting 27 MPG good luck. A new truck with a 4.3 is ratted at 22 (1/2 ton silverado) and that is with a computer controlling everything.
The one thing he has going is that the car weighs half of what the truck does. I'd be happy with 25 MPG. Hot Rod has an article on their website headlined '3/4 350. It lists some sources and parts availability for these engines. Edelbrock has a 4-BBL intake for the late model Vortec heads and these are supposed to breath really wheel. Good luck.
i have a 92 vin Z motor up here in medina from my 1500. had a poof of smoke(valve seals) and a lifter tick when i pulled for a v8 swap. send a pm if you might be interested. i love the 4.3 as far as v6's go. hard to beat something based off a small block, however i do not like what they did with the balance shaft in the newer units - leave it to GM to mess with/overcomplicate a good thing.
I built a 4.3 powered IMCA modified a few years ago. I used350 pistons. The early motors that had fuel pumps actually used the V8 pump upside down. I used v8 distributors with straight 6 caps, and trigger wheels. Be carfull which lifter you use if using solids because only one is correct and I don't remimber which one it was. The best stock race head actually was a 229 V6 with all the mods that guys used on 305 heads. For a stroker use 229 rods, grind the crank offset to 3 9/16 and use the appropriate V8 pistons. Edelbrock makes a 4bbl intake for the 229 which will work. GM also has a tassel of high dollar race parts.
The V6 fuel pumps LOOK like V8's turned upside down but the vent hole is in a different place, on the V6 pump, so that it will not spit oil. I put together an even fire non-computer distributor by combining the parts from '75 straight 6 and V8 distributors. I even went to a lower cap that was offered on some 6 cyl engines to get more air cleaner clearance for my low hood. The low cap uses a remote coil. I'm using a Holley 4bbl aluminum manifold. There is a cast iron Q-jet manifold on 85 Astro vans. There is also a tall Q-jet marine manifold but it is VERY heavy. '85-'86 4.3s don't have roller cams. The '87 to about '92 have roller cams but can use the earlier cam if you don't want to spend the cash for roller lifters. Cheap stainless headers were factory installed on some Monte Carlos and full size pickups. There were plenty of factory hipo parts for V6 racers: aluminum blocks, aluminum heads, two piece intakes that take 1 or 2 carbs, 23 degree heads, etc.
People make parts for these motors, they just do not advertise. A lot of the stuff can be bought through Summit actually. If you look at a GM Performance parts catalog thay at one time had a bunch of stuff. Since GM is in the process of discontinuing the motor I am not sure if the availability is still there. '09 will either be the last production year or the last year that we make any, I can't remember.
Thanks for all of the info..... I'm doing the research stuff right now to make sure everything will work well together and will be building this winter. I do believe that 25-27 MPG is achievable with this combination. Granted it won't run 12's in the 1/4, but it should be able to keep up with most common cars on the road.... As Swifster said, I have half the weight and half the profile of an Astro van or truck.... The aerodynamics aren't anything to speak of, but just having half the frontal area and weight will help... I don't like newer cars. I hate computers and sensors on everything. Hence, I don't want TBI or the controlled distributor. I don't want the '95 up motor because of the counterbalance shafts and the increased cost that I've noticed in classified ads and junkyards. I'm tired of everytime my newer cars have a hiccup the "Service Engine Soon" light turns on... Teasing me because as soon as I get it to Advanced Auto or Autozone to find the young semi-untrained kid to roll out the tester the f@*$ing light goes out. I am on a mission here. I want to prove that a guy can still build a decent performing car with respectable gas mileage in his driveway using old school common sense, planning and mechanical know how, while giving the middle finger to the new car manufacturers because I'll have less than 1/4 the money invested. I'm just using the '62 Olds because the price was right, it's small enough that I think I can make it work and it has a little style (though it's beauty can be debated by some people...). When I walk out from the grocery getting the kids a fresh milk, it won't be lost in a see of Camrys and Accords. But the mileage and performance will be on a similar level... Thanks, Andy
My personal opinion of the answer to gas mileage and performance are to get the rpms down in the top gears (over drive transmissions). Get the torque at the rpm range to take advantage of the top gear crusing rpm (camshaft selection). Let nitrous give you the power when you want it. I consider nitrous like having a big gun beside you in the seat. Nitrous doesn't cost you if you don't shoot it, but you better mean it when you do and be prepared for the consequences of using it. I'm factoring fuel milage into my builds now because who wants to spend all their food, lodging and beer money on gas when you go on a trip?
for the dizzy get a 229 one , use a 4.3 cap or it will run hot........lot of old malibus around in the boneyard.
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