Thinking about 4.3 and SM465

So lately I have been thinking about what to do with the drivetrain for my jeep. Currently I have a 225 and a T14. The v6 is about blown up, rod knock and smokes pretty bad. Since I want to be able to drive the jeep at high elevation I really want fuel injection and since my 225 is junk and 4.3 swap seems really appealing. And since I want a granny gear 4 speed a SM465 behind the 4.3 makes a lot of sense to do at the same time.

So what is the best vehicle to get a 4.3 out of? I was reading the article on Noak's sight about the 4.3 and it mentioned that a B vin number 4.3 makes 200hp instead of 165hp with a Z vin engine. What exactly is the difference between these two?

Then comes to mind how to mate the tranny to the engine. Should I find a manual transmission 4.3 to get the flywheel and bell-housing from? Will the bell housing from a manual transmission 4.3 work with an SM465? Then what kind of clutch kit will I need? Then I was thinking what trucks came with an SM465, a 70s or 80s 4x4 chevy truck would have one, right?

And to mate the tranny to the transfer case I was thinking the Novak adapter is the best option. Now what do I need to change for tranny mounts? Novak has a mount that bolts to the bottom of their adapter, is that a good way to go? What will I have to change on my stock skidplate/crossmember? Or would I just be better of making my own?

I'm planning on making my own motor mounts by buying a set of factory mounts for the 4.3, and then making some pedestals to bolt to the mounts. Then comes to mind what radiator do I need. My original one is pretty trashed so I guess I'll be better off with a different one. With the the SM465 and adapter how much longer is it than the stock tranny? Can I just modify the grill so the engine can be slid forward or will it be fine in the stock location? I'd rather not modify my drive shafts.

Then what fuel pump will I need? I'm thinking I'll need to buy an inline electric pump. So I guess that just about sums everything up. Sorry for all the questions, hope I don't overwhelm you guys.

Thanks for all the help.

 

I have a Jeepster but the engine bay is very similar.

 

Thanks for all the help, really cleared up a lot of my questions. As for the 200hp versus 165hp version I thought they were both TBI motors, which is what I'm getting. So the inlet and outlets of the 225 rad will work with the 4.3? Mine has some holes and dents, I'll have to see if a rad shop can fix it up.

 

Upper hose is the same or close, my lower hose is two pieces of rubber with a piece of exhaust tube between them because of the outlet differences. The exhaust tube is wider on one side than the other. Outlets are at least on the right sides though. I think you can get a flex hose with different sizes on each end, but I'm not sure about that. I should really look into it at least for a spare.

TBI = throttle body

TPI = multi port


One thing I forgot to mention, the air cleaner from the Astro wouldn't work for me, I used one from an S10.

 

When I was planning on getting a new motor for my Cj last year I spoke with the guy who did my stroker and he seemed to know a lot.
My plans (when I decide to go ahead and do it) involve getting probably an S10 or astro with the required motor. I'm going to remove the factory harness and splice in the replacement harness I got for my CJ. I don't forsee any real issues with this...just patience and a lot of time for doing the swap. Planning on getting the trans out of a truck as needed (still haven't done adequate research).

The other option for me is getting a ford 5.0 and putting it in (I don't like the chevy motors for no real reason other than that I'm a ford and mopar kinda guy). But for ease of swapping the 4.3 looks like the best idea.

 

So does anyone have any ideas or pictures on how to mount the transmission?

thanks

 

I am also doing a Chevy 4.3 and SM 465 swap.

Here is a link to a recent post giving some idea of what I am looking at with my swap.

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69255&page=8

 

What 4.3 would come in a 1990 GMC truck? I found one that the guy wants $500 for. It comes with the engine, flywheel, bell housing, clutch, wiring harness, and hydro clutch. The motor is a reman with 65,000 miles. Is that a good deal or should I keep looking?

 

You need the computer also, if it is injected.

Price sounds good to me, considering the parts included.

How bout exhaust manifolds, water pump, alt, etc??

Here is a good reference for the 4.3. scroll down a bit, long post toward the end.

We need a photo of the flywheel when you get it, front and rear------

 

Everything is included, computer and fuel pump too, all the accessories.

He said it is a vortec. Does that mean it's a CPI engine, how hard are those to wire up?

 

Vortec's came in three flavors that I'm aware of, TBI, CPI, and Port Fuel Injection. I would think '90 would be a TBI but could be a CPI in a truck. The TBI is the cheapest and easiest to work with. CPI is a little more complicated on the wiring and what not but still very do-able. PFI is pretty easy to work with as well. Aftermarket support is pretty good on all three. Personally I like the TBI as it's the easiest to deal with on conversions but the other two make more hp and torque.

 

Are there any known issues with the CPI injection? I'm going to go look at the truck this weekend so I'll know then whether it's TBI or CPI, he told me he thinks it has the single injector setup so I think it's a CPI going off what he said.

 

They are known for the injector nozzles plugging up or sticking. If it's been well maintained, injector cleans, etc. not so much of an issue. If not or if it's been sitting for a while it could be an issue. Kinda spendy to replace the unit. MikeS told me about an upgrade for them but haven't had time to research it out or try it.

 

What size centering hole does the 4.3 bell housing have? Would a bell housing from a 1970s chevy truck with a small block and SM465 work with the 4.3's clutch?

 

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/clutches_etc.htm

And

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/sm465.htm

And

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/chevy_standard_shift_info.htm

The Novak site is a real gold mine for info------watch for links in the various pages.......get ready to spend a little time reading.

 

I've already read those links multiple times and I couldn't find the info I was looking for, size of the hole in a 1990 4.3 standard shift bell housing.

 

Depends on the transmission that came on the back of it. The only indexing hole change I'm aware of was one that had the SM-465 which had a larger indexing hole. A bellhousing, 465, etc. from a Chevy truck will bolt to the 4.3. Standard Chevrolet bellhousing bolt pattern.
There were different bellhousings for different clutch and flywheel sizes however.

 

Nick has it correctly.

Here is a quote from the Novak site. Second link I posted.

"Engine Compatibility and Adaptability
GM
As the reader will conclude, the Chevrolet and General Motors SM465 will marry directly to a GM style bellhousing. This includes Chevy car, Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac bellhousings. However, since this transmission has such a large bearing retainer, the car size bellhousing bore is smaller than the transmission's input bearing retainer. If you need to join this transmission to a GM bellhousing with the 4-11/16” bore, it can be done. The bore must be opened up to 5.000” and the retainer turned down to 4.995” as precision slip-fit. We can perform this service with a very quick turnaround, or you may have it done by a good machine shop local to you. We also sell new bearing retainers turned to the dimension you require. "

The sm465 is a heavy duty truck tranny, and it has a heavy duty bearing supporting the input shaft. This causes the O.D. of the retainer to be larger.

Good to ask questions when things dont seem to make sense, saves $$$ in the long run.

Good luck.

 

Does a 350 chevy have the 11 inch clutch if it came with a SM465? I was reading on Novak's site how the 4.3's 11 inch clutch won't work with a chevy bell housing that has a 10.5 inch clutch.

I planned on getting the bell housing with the SM465 and using that with the 4.3. But then again the 4.3 has a hydro clutch, I don't know if I would be able to keep that by going with an older bell housing.

thanks for all the help'

Edit: I read the novak articles again it and looks like I need a cast iron bell housing for the 11 inch clutch. I'll just see if the chevy trucks at the junk yard that have SM465s use the cast iron bell housing.