Early 90s valve job - 4.3

[RyanbabZ71]

Anyone ever do a valve job on an early 90s tuck with the 4.3? Just wondering how it went, how long it took. My dads 92 S-10 is in need of one and he is thinking of tackeling it this week while he is on vacation.

[Colorado Kid]

I haven't done one in 201K miles on my '91, and I'm wondering why he thinks he needs to do it?

 

It ought to be pretty straightforward though, just like any other small-block chevy except 4 less valves.

[RyanbabZ71]

I haven't done one in 201K miles on my '91, and I'm wondering why he thinks he needs to do it?

 

The engine probably needs a complete overhaul but he is thinking first off a valve job

 

1. Every startup blue/white smoke (alot) out of tailpipe.

2. Leaks oil

3. leaks antifreeze somewhere (not on the ground)

 

(i know all these arent related to a valve job but those are a few of the problems)

 

His truck has 120K

[OUMike]

Hmm...those 4.3s are pretty solid. Wonder what it would cost to just have someone rebuild it. I'd emagine that was your dad's primary driver? Probably more expensive, but might be more cost effective. Anyone know what kinda work Thunderbolt does?

 

On the other hand..rebuilding a motor could be fun (if he had something else to drive). Give you an oppertunity to use the parts you want, and do it the way you want to. Maybe use some Edlebrock parts too They have a few goodies for the 4.3...I'd like to get some of them myself.

[RyanbabZ71]

Wonder what it would cost to just have someone rebuild it.

 

nah he would do it. He is a mechanic (works on fork lifts, bull dozers, etc at work and he rebuilds diesels (cat) and transmissions.

[OUMike]

Sounds pretty bad ass. Wanna send him to my house. I gotta 1990 Taurus SHO that needs some tranny work.

[k1500chevy97]

hmmm weird its having those problems that early into its life

14 yr old truck yes but only 120k miles having those probs

[Colorado Kid]

1) Valve seals, mines been doing it for about 150,000 miles now, I'm used to it. Somebody said there's a TSB and the dealers should do the seals for nothing . . . I'm not sure that applies at 120,000 miles or at 201,000 miles. At any rate new seals are not anywhere near the project that a valve job is.

 

2) I thought mine leaked oil from the rear main seal . . . turns out it leaked gear lube from the input seal on the tranny . . . you discover this when the tranny gets loud and has almost no oil in it. Syncromesh fluid (which the NV 3500 uses) is not very different, at lest in looks, from 5W-30 motor oil.

 

3) Almost certainly the intake manifold gasket . . . still much simpler than pulling heads. I did mine at about 180,000, but have seen them go at less than 45,000 miles.

 

Sounds to me like he just wants to have a look inside. Can't blame him there, but I don't pull heads off of anything that runs quietly, unless I've already tried the simple stuff and it's still drinking coolant.