[jp3872]

Hello everyone! I was looking around on my local Craigslist at cars and trucks as I have been keeping my eye out for something inexpensive (sub 5k dollars) to purchase some time this year to replace a lease car I am handing in. I accidentally happened across something interesting that I had to go see. I found a 1993 GMC Safari XT 2wd with 178k miles within 50 miles of my house. The owner said it needed a motor and I was interested in seeing if I had a summer project or a van to part out for some extra cash. The price was very low and so were my expectations but I went anyway. I was suprised to find a red and silver van with a new set of tires on it with a rustless body. Upon further discussion with the owner, I learned it had new ball joints, tires, brakes fuel pressure regulator, computer and tune up. The owner used it as a third vehicle for work and put 7k of the 178k miles on it over the last few years. He stated it recently developed a "rod knock" and he took it to a mechanic. This mechanic said that it needed a motor and they worked out a price. The owner, instead of fixing it, drove it home and parked it using the motor money for a full size older van. I was suprised when I was inquiring about the van that it allegedly ran and drove. I hopped in and started the engine. No noise. Hmmm.... I drove the van around, nothing, no noise. After running a little longer, the faint sound of a light knocking started in the engine. No smoke or leaking I could see. I noted that the air conditioning and power windows and locks worked just fine and the heat worked just fine too. The van is a litte dirty but doesn't have a bad smell to it and it came with the original owner's manual. I decided to jump on this one because I could at least part it out if I didn't keep it. The best part is after speaking with the owner, it ONLY cost me $250.00. I gave him cash and trailered the van home. I will most likely but a heavy weight oil and/or some marvels mystery oil in the engine and drive it around until it blows. When that happens, I plan to replace the engine and keep it for a while as you can't beat transportation THAT cheap. My questions as a new member are this. Are there any good posts or tech articles on swapping a motor out of these vehicles? I only found some mention of putting a 350 V8 in place of the 4.3 (still not out of the question) but I am looking for some help in keeping it a V6. That being said, if I find a 350 cheaper (I may have one lined up) than a 4.3 (used either way) then I may do the 350 swap. Any help or advice from someone who has either swapped their 4.3 with another one or swapped in a 350 would be nice. Also any websites or links about the Astro/Safari would help too. Please just point me in the right direction so I can learn more about my vehicle. I STILL can't make the rod knock as described by the P.O. by the way.......

 

[ihatemybike]

The reason you see a lot of 350 swaps is cause the 350s can usually be found cheaper than the 4.3L. That and the extra power really helps these vans move. Several members even claim an increase in gas mileage going to the larger engine due to it not having to work as hard.

 

[Leeann_93]

Hi and welcome!

Congrats on the awesome deal - that's great. I had a 'slight' rod knock when I bought mine (and I knew it in advance) - it threw a rod 6 miles away. Having said that, I have a replacement engine for it (found on Craigslist). I just need the rains to stop so I can start the work.

Matrixx on here has recently replaced his engine with another 4.3 - he's got a thread on here somewhere with pics. There is one difference between his and yours: he had to either drop the subframe or cut the rad support. On the '93, we don't have to cut the rad support and we can take the engine right out the front.

 

[Mr_Bowtie]

Welcome & congrats on the great buy! You should find everything you need on here. :mrgreen:

 

[Matrixx]

Hi jp3872

Welcome to the Forum

As Leeann_93 has mentioned, the older vans have "much" more room to drop a V8 into them. If you have some time, just look at my gallery and Astro355s gallery to see how much more room their really is. The old forum, Astro Austins gallery have some great information and pictures on the V8 swap. Personally (at this point anyways) I'm V6 all the way, hehe. Mine has plenty of power and she is quick and light on her feet (kind of like dancing), just the way I like it. Hope this helps.