Anyone had Astro van engine experience ?
#1
Anyone had Astro van engine experience ?
Well I dropped a cylinder in my service van, this winter. Burnt valve.
'94 Chevy Astro with 4.3 V6.
198K miles(never been opened up & religiously maintained) and am hearing a little piston slap. No oil usage or loss. Was still strong before the cyl dropped.
Question; I know I SHOULD freshen up the whole engine, but if all I can really afford is a valve grind, Am I going to need to pull the engine or can it be done in-chassis ? I really dislike working on 'van' engines, and it takes me 1.5 hours to just change the plugs on THIS one ! VERY tight quarters.
If I have to yank it out, do I drop it out the bottom or through the front of the engine room ?
It's my experience that opening up a high mileage engine is like opening a can of worms. Ya start finding things that NEED and SHOULD be replaced ! ARG.......
'94 Chevy Astro with 4.3 V6.
198K miles(never been opened up & religiously maintained) and am hearing a little piston slap. No oil usage or loss. Was still strong before the cyl dropped.
Question; I know I SHOULD freshen up the whole engine, but if all I can really afford is a valve grind, Am I going to need to pull the engine or can it be done in-chassis ? I really dislike working on 'van' engines, and it takes me 1.5 hours to just change the plugs on THIS one ! VERY tight quarters.
If I have to yank it out, do I drop it out the bottom or through the front of the engine room ?
It's my experience that opening up a high mileage engine is like opening a can of worms. Ya start finding things that NEED and SHOULD be replaced ! ARG.......
#4
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: La.
Posts: 2,890
I think i'd look for a bone yard find, with less miles on it, the S10 & Sonoma's should be the same engine you may have to use your top end sheet metal from your engine. They are available around here warenteed for $500.00 to $800.00. but yep it's got to come out the bottom, probably a day to a day and a half work, if you have a warm place to work.
JMO
Zip.
JMO
Zip.
#5
Thanks for the input, guys. I figgered it'd have to come out......
This rig is worth it to me to put some dough into, as it's in really good condition otherwise. Along with it's wearing several hundred dollars of signage on it.
I'll do some checking at the local auto recyclers about a low miler power plant as well as pricing out a reman.
Thanks again !
This rig is worth it to me to put some dough into, as it's in really good condition otherwise. Along with it's wearing several hundred dollars of signage on it.
I'll do some checking at the local auto recyclers about a low miler power plant as well as pricing out a reman.
Thanks again !
#6
Senior Member
RACING JUNKIE
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: kingsport tn
Posts: 1,729
92-94 262 4.3 W GM Chevrolet, RWD, CFI, HO, Roller Lifter, Balance Shaft, 3/3 Acc. Bolt Holes, 2 temp. sensors on head, 4 bolt lifter retainer, eyebrow intake ports, block has strut bosses, stamped steel 10 bolt front cover, Comes with M55 oil pump-5/8" Pick-up tube. DCC7 $1,559 $350
93-94 262 4.3 Z GM Chevrolet, RWD, CFI, roller, bal. Shaft, 2 temp sensors on head, eyebrow intakes, strut boss, stamped steel 10 bolt front cover, Comes with M155 oil pump-3/4" Pick-up tube. DCE7 $1,559 $350
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93-94 262 4.3 Z GM Chevrolet, RWD, CFI, roller, no balance shaft, detonation sensor in block, under 8500 GVW DCV6 $1,529 $350
http://bestrebuiltengines.com/GM6.htm
93-94 262 4.3 Z GM Chevrolet, RWD, CFI, roller, bal. Shaft, 2 temp sensors on head, eyebrow intakes, strut boss, stamped steel 10 bolt front cover, Comes with M155 oil pump-3/4" Pick-up tube. DCE7 $1,559 $350
Click HERE to save this page to your favorites - Firefox users hit Ctrl+D
93-94 262 4.3 Z GM Chevrolet, RWD, CFI, roller, no balance shaft, detonation sensor in block, under 8500 GVW DCV6 $1,529 $350
http://bestrebuiltengines.com/GM6.htm
#9
Senior Member
SENIOR BUILDER
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Morrison, Colorado
Posts: 120
I've had a valve job done on one with more miles than that, and it ran like a champ afterwards (for a customer, not mine). No oil consumption problems or anything. With that being said though, for about the same price you can find a good lower mileage engine that you can just swap out. It's alot of work, but not as bad as it seems once you get going on it. Alot of salvage companies also offer warrenties with their stuff, so it's worth checking into.