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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
So lift the engine with new motor mounts and rubber or buy an modified oil pan and motor mounts that use the stock rubber ? This would be for a V8 AWD swap in a lifted van 2 plus inches of body lift.
 

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2000 Lifted 4x4 Astro 92 V8-350 Shorty
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6,508 Posts
Modified pan is pretty popular.
With the amount of body lift I have, I plan to lift my engine.
 

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Discussion Starter · #3 ·
So here is why I went with the engine lift. This is a 4x4 lifted van
1. I did not want a hack( cut and welded) oil pan or spend $375 plus for an aftermarket that may or may not fit.
2. Headers fit not modifiacation at all, no chocked up exhaust manifold or grinding the manifold or frame.
3. No need for modifying any hoses, coolant or power steering.
4. Easy to get replacment rubber mounts, no discontinued OEM rubber or crap aftermarket.
5. Easier to work on, more room under and around the engine.
6. More ground clearance.
 

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2003 Astro AWD
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29 Posts
Hey guys, I'm back! It's been a year since I've been active, but I'm ready to start again.

Bigfork, u're in Montana right? Would u be willing to help me with my van? I could bring it to u, and I have money to spend. I have a 2003 AWD Astro, a 400 sbc engine - complete, a new 4.3 V6 crate engine, a 4L60e tranny with 90k miles on it, and a parts van with a hightop. The problem is that I live in Boz-Angeles and everything and everyone here is insanely expensive, and everyone else that is affordable is incapable it seems.

Musicman, I think about ya every time I go to storage and check on my 400. I am so conflicted with this engine. I would love to get it in, but I'm not sure how to move forward. I think I quit when this happened (see pic).

Today, I am just trying to figure out this whole motor mounts and oil pan thing! I have someone who wants to buy my 400 sbc, so I'm considering going the easy route and just giving up this whole dream van and putting in my 4.3 crate engine if I can't figure out if this 400 will work. I guess there's an issue with it being a 2 piece rear main, but I have no idea what that is, what the problem is, or if it can even be solved.

Then the next step is to get parts ordered and find a mechanic somewhere, preferably a fellow van fan.


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2000 Lifted 4x4 Astro 92 V8-350 Shorty
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6,508 Posts
All my small blocks are pre-86 2-piece rear mains..
I don't see the trouble?
Am I missing something?
Works in my van
 

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Common Sense + Critical Thinking
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All my small blocks are pre-86 2-piece rear mains..
I don't see the trouble?
Am I missing something?
Works in my van
I must have missed this, did you happen to do a thread where you did this with your AWD van?
I believe her problem is that the custom pans she was referring to are for newer 1pc seal engines.
 

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2000 Lifted 4x4 Astro 92 V8-350 Shorty
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6,508 Posts
Yeah I finally figured out what the issue was in the other thread.. that the AWD custom pan was the issue. As I've said.. I will simply raise my engine and stick with stock pan when I do my AWD

Custom fab the pan, or custom fab the mounts.
With lift, I have a LOT of overhead room in my engine compartment.
Maybe by raising the engine, headers will fit too! Win! Win!
 

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1989 Astro RS on a 1998 AWD frame with a 1994 350 TBI
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I got my oil pan from JTR I have no idea if he has any remaining, as for the 1 piece to 2 piece there is a way around that. Allstar performance pn all26125 sold on Amazon. as for the exhaust on the passenger side I used 1983 -1986 log style manifold PN46111B I bought it on eBay. And the driver's side is typical truck manifold from the 80's and 90's Dorman 674218. Sold on Amazon. This info is for non LS engines.
 

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2004 Safari RWD, 2002 Astro AWD
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480 Posts
Raising your motor should not make a motor vibrate.
You did not mention the size of your LS.
If it is a 400cubic inch then you must use the balanced flywheel that originally came with your motor or buy an after market on that goes with a 400 motor.
I think Mmusican talked about before in one of the conversations he had before.
 
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