Gm 4.3 ?
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 813
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From: Hewitt, Minnesota
Gm 4.3 ?
Well I wanted a Ford but no one wants to part with them. And when they do they've been pretty well run into the ground. I found '88 Chevy 1/2 ton. It's got the 4.3 My question is it has an electric carb(not fuel injected). Were these reliable? That issue aside the truck has been bored over(.030) and new rings and the like in it. Asking price is $750. I realize this is a Ford forum but anyone have any comments?
TIA,
ORB
TIA,
ORB
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 18,423
Likes: 9
From: iowa
the 4.3 is basically a 350 with 2 cylinders cut off (same pistons, rods etc) the electric carbs weren't really too bad when I worked for chevy but that was years ago. for the price I would say it's not too bad.
Only problem that i remember with the 4.3 was at idle they had a very slight vibration even when new and this bothered some people but it's really minor.
Only problem that i remember with the 4.3 was at idle they had a very slight vibration even when new and this bothered some people but it's really minor.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
They do have a resonant throaty sound to them, that can get annoying depending on your cruise rpms. Fairly reliable though, and if the carb gives problems, you could probably refit it to a non-electronic system.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 3,862
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From: Beachville, Ontario
My dad has over 400,000 km on his Astro. 4.3 has never been touched. 93 and up had a counterbalance shaft that took out most of the bad vibes.
I haven't heard of the electric carb. Is it a quadrabog?
I haven't heard of the electric carb. Is it a quadrabog?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 925
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From: northwest,sc
I've got a 93 GMC Safari van with thw 4.3 and it don't have the counterbalance shaft and it don't vibrate much.
It is the Z code engine with a Throttlebody. (W code had spider injection and counterbalance shaft)
It has almost 190k miles with nothing major being done to it.
It is the Z code engine with a Throttlebody. (W code had spider injection and counterbalance shaft)
It has almost 190k miles with nothing major being done to it.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
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From: The Big, Oregon
W code was the Vortec motor- Do not get this one! The fuel pressure regulator goes out about every 120-140k, and costs almost $600 to replace- It's inside the intake, and only is available with the injector and lines.
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
the "electric carb" is throttle body injection. very simple setup. and the 4.3 is a good engine, but a little small for a truck. but if it is just going to be a beater with very little load use, it will be fine.