So a friend of mine has a 85 4x4 S-10. Body and frame are perfect condition, but its got a few little problems. It is a 2.8L 4speed straight. It seems the throw out bearing is squeaking horribly, and a few of the guages are way off or not woking, but I just need a beater and something a little less thirsty than the old 8.1L. So a few questions: how hard is it to put a new throw out bearing in it?? How reliable are the old 2.8's?? And would that tranny bolt up to a fairly new 4.3?? And how hard would the swap be?? I can get one fairly cheap, and might be a little more trust-worthy.

 

The 4.3 will not bolt up to the trans, it has a SBC/90 degree bellhousing and the 2.8 has a V6/60 degree bellhousing. The throwout bearing is as easy as putting a clutch in it, that's basically what you are doing (I would honestly go ahead a get a clutch and pilot bearing while you're in there if it was me). I have put a LOT of miles on several different 2.8s in Camaros, S10s, and Blazers without any issues. I have lost oil pressure in 1 of them, but I think that was a driver issue more than it was the vehicle. They have no torque whatsoever, but the 5 speed S10s aren't all that bad, they weigh less than 3k lbs.

If you get the 2.8s, an SBC V8 swap is actually easier than a 4.3 swap, with the right mounts it damn near a bolt in process... just a little FYI.

 

OK, thanks. So what motor would you suggest to be the EASIEST??

 

The 4.3 and SBC Will be about the same difficulty if the 4.3 is carbed. if it has a TB then it's a little more work cuz you have to swap the electronics. (IIRC)

Either put a 2.8 back in it or find a Gen 1 small block and trans for it. Custom oil pan, buy or make motor mount adapters. Shorty headers or manifolds and make everything mechanical.

 

Well that would be sweet, but this is just a budget beater. Dont wanna dump a whole lotta cash in it. Just want it to be reliable

 

Those 2.8's are GUTLESS btw.

 

Yeah, i figured that. What kinda mileage they get??

 

I had one in an 89 Camaro RS. Can't remember what I avgd but it seems around the same as my 4.3 S10 blazer which was around 16-17 tops.
I'm sure the camaro MIGHT have been a little better but can't remember for sure. All i really remember his how slow it was.

Fuel Economy.gov says 25mpg in the camaro. 22 in s10 blazer and pickup 4wd

 

well i guess anything in the teens is better than 7mpg in the 8.1L

 

Conditioin says a lot.
My dads 2.2 was getting 29mpg back in 06 when I drove it and now i'm gettint 20 in it. I suspect a leaky injector but you have to take the intake off just to see the injectors