Engine question for small truck.

[firestorm13666]

Well for now i have to keep the truck i have not to much of a big deal.So iam thinking what engine could i swap in that would nto cost me out the a**.The truck is a 1984 Chevy S-10 2wd with a 2.8V6 and auto trans.Thanks for any and all help and if anyone has a engine that would work for sale and that is cheap that would be grate.Thanks

[firestorm13666]

What about a 4.3 diesel form a Olds?

[firestorm13666]

I am lookign for one that is like 2.5 to 4.0.Thanks

[bhtooefr]

AUTO trans?

Well, a 2.8 V6 could be replaced by a diesel...

Your best bet is the 4.3 V6 diesel (90hp, and 35 MPG in a miniature land yacht) if you want to stay with GM. But, those engines do have their issues.

If you don't want that crap, your best bet is to buy a stickshift truck, and put a Toyota transmission and a TDI in. (I don't think there are adaptor plates for the Chevy transmissions, and if there are, the Toyota trans will have better gear ratios for the TDI.)

Alternately, get a Toyota with a stickshift and a 22R engine (the 22R is the easiest to replace with a VW diesel, as the 22R/22RE/22RE-T have the same rev range as a VW diesel, and the 22R itself isn't electronic). That'd be the easiest, and there are kits to adapt the VW engine to the Toy trans.

[wyldman]

A Cummins 4BT with a Chevy bellhousing adapter will bolt in if you swap trannies to the larger 4.3L V6 and V8 bolt pattern.

[bhtooefr]

D'oh! Forgot about the 4BT.

That's a direct injection MECHANICALLY controlled 4-cylinder diesel.

Often used in Chevy applications.

[shwartzbewithyou]

D'oh! Forgot about the 4BT.

That's a direct injection MECHANICALLY controlled 4-cylinder diesel.

Often used in Chevy applications.

You can find them in alot of those Chevy "stepside" delivery vans.  Like a purolator truck.
Theirs alot of guy's in California swapping the 4bt into their old Jeep CJ's to help them pass the strict emissions laws down there.
Great engine but try to find it still in a vehicle.  To find one already pulled means you'll have to pay big.

[firestorm13666]

Thanks for the help guys but price is a issue with this.And i plan on geting a full size truck when i can get the money.As far as the 4BT is well that is up high on the price list.Iam lookign for something around $500 or less for a engine i can use in this.Also as for the 4.3 diesel form GM it was in a front wheel drive meaning my trans i have now could work on it as being the 60 deg V6's share the FWD bellhousing.Also i would like to keep the weight down on the engine it's self.I am lookign for something with about the same power as the 2.8 in it now but with a little more for towing something.Thanks

[bhtooefr]

OK, then, the 4.3 V6 diesel is your best bet.

90 horsepower, though - same as a 1Z, AHU, or ALH TDI.

165 ft-lbs torque - better than such a TDI.

35 MPG in a land yacht, and that's without a turbo. :shock:

[firestorm13666]

Now where can i find one lol for a good price?

[wyldman]

Stay away from the GM V6 diesel,it's a pile of crap !

The only engine that will bolt up to your trans is the 2.8L or 3.1L motors.

What is wrong with the 2.8L ? Is the truck even worth spending big $$$ on for an engine swap ?

[firestorm13666]

Well the engine in my truck is on it's way out and i do not have the money for a fullsize truck.For some reason everyone around thinks that a rusted out fullsize chevy is worth $1,000 plus.My truck is not in that bad of shape i have in the 3 years i have owned it all new shocks,brakes every part but the MC and teh front metal lines and booster,and the trans is fine and but the engine is going.The body is ok but now the best.The money i would spend trying to find around truck would be more then a engine swap.Also iam looking at around $500 to $1,000 for a good engine anyhow form my truck because i will not put another 2.8V6 in it.So why not just swap a diesel in for around the same price?I know it will be some work but work is nothing to me.The cheapest i have found another 2.8 form a yard that will give me a good engine is around $500 and the 2.8 was never the best engine and mine has to be carb not FI so i will still have the engine problmes i have now which is rob starting to knock.And to get a 4.3 or V8 and a trans to match will be round the same as a diesel swap so i want to go for a diesel.I am think more of a 4cvlinder.Also because my truck has a carbed engine a diesel swap would be ezer and form the emission's stand point more legal.Thanks for any and all help guys.Now all i need is a list of engine to look for.

[bhtooefr]

What are you towing?

You could do the J-350...

http://www.snopes.com/photos/lumber.asp

:lol:

Of course, what sucks is you're here in Ohio, not up in Canada where all the interesting VWs are.

But, I had an idea.

Could a Mercedes transmission somehow be mated to a Chevy drivetrain?

And, can you fab motor mounts cheaply?

If so, a wrecked to hell Mercedes 300D could be obtained cheaply, and that powertrain used.

[firestorm13666]

What do i want to tow or what have i towed with this truck so far?I want to beable to tow a car trailor or car dolly with it.As far was what i have towed i have towed a 1Ton Chevy suburban with it using a tow rope and did nto have problme with it.The most i have loaded in the bed is around 800-1,000lbs and did not have much or a problem othet then the front wheels did not have much weight on them.I am open to all diesel engines but have to be a 4cyinder because of space under the hood.Thanks

[bhtooefr]

What's your current VW?

Get a Class II hitch custom made. Note that you won't be able to get a tow dolly from U-Haul if it's a Mk1 or 2. Mk3s are allowed to get them if you tell them you're towing a Geo Metro. :lol: Also, handling is gonna be SCARY when towing a vehicle, especially if it's a Mk1 or 2 tow vehicle.

As for things in the bed, get a small 4'x6' trailer used.

There are ways to use VWs as trucks, that don't involve putting 3000 pounds of load directly on the car. :lol: