4.3 swap

I know I have seen a lot of info on this before but now I can't seem to find it. I picked up a vortec 4.3 and a T98 with the adaptor to mate them together last night for cheap. It already has the motor mounts for a cj and all the wiring and computer too. The thing I need to know is how can I tell what year make and model the engine is from. He was GUESSING it came from a 2000 blazer. (I bought it from a guy who bought it from a different guy, etc. thats why it was cheap.) I'd like to do some research so I know hp and torque numbers and also if I need to diagnose problems I can do that also. I am sure I can cross reference some block casting numbers for the engine itself but what about the computer? Also if somebody can point me in a direction to learn all I can about the 4.3 engine or even the small block chevy would be helpful also. I know the 4.3 is basicly a 350 minus 2 cylinders.

 

Usually, on the left front below the cylinder head is a pad with some numbers stamped on it. I've only had SBC V8s, so not positive it's there on the 4.3.

 

will be on the passanger side, or right hand side, would be the left if you were looking at it from the waterpump end, should be some leters follwed by numbers. the letters tell you what application it was in. they use to have a date code on all casted parts, on the older sbc it was on the rear of the block up top on the pass side. should look something like this a289 that would be as follows a= month jan 28= day of month jan 28 here is where it gets screwy 9= year now is it 79,89,99,09? every part on the engine that is cast iron will have this code on it somewhere after you seasrch the #'s up front you will know more, there is also a long number on the driverside of the block in the rear it tells alot of info as well. I was once upon a time up to date on these numbers, I could tell if it was a 4 bolt main from just a glance at the numbers located at the rear of the block

 

Yes - left from front. I checked mortec.com and they only do V8 numbers. I could not easily find a site that had V6 numbers.

The pad should have a 3 letter engine code that will also tell you what line of cars it was in. That's how in the old days we determined if the motor was from a Chevelle, Camaro, or a Truck for example.

 

Well I started diggin through all the stuff that I got with the engine and there was no computer!!! I called the guy and he is looking for it now, if he doesn't find it I'm gonna be VERY ANGRY! I'm glad I'm not in a hurry! The ol 134 might have to run for another year. Also I tried turning the input shaft on the T98 and could only turn it in one of the gears, reverse I think. You should be able to turn it by hand right??? No wonder I got a "good" deal