yea i think thats probably what im going to do. But if im going to buy a only a block i need to know EVERYTHING that goes into an engine. i could use some help maybe a list or a link, i have been looking around but not really finding anything...please post

 

from the way this thread is going, it sounds like you really should be looking into a long block. probably save you money in the long run.

 

so a long block is an engine with everything up to the heads installed correct?
But i would like to strip my 4.3l down to just the block, taking everything out, and have it acid dipped to clean everything up and make sure theres no junk in there. Then i would like to either use the existing crank if its in good enough condition or replace it with one the same. Also, what about the bearings that the crankshaft runs on, should i replace those and the sleeves that they run along? I do want to have it overbored by .060 increasing the displacement to about 4.45L correct me if i'm wrong. Then depending on the condition of the Piston heads i would replace the rings with rings designed for an overbored engine, or both the rings and the piston heads. So that would leave the short block (i believe thats the correct term) part of the engine done and ready to go. Then i would move on to the upper part of the engine such as the cam shaft, rockers, etc.... The first thing i can think of in order would be the headers, could i use the stock headers if it were overbored or would i have to get new ones. Also, would it gain me horsepower if i got new headers? With that being said i would move to the camshaft. I would put a longer duration high lift cam in, so that the engine would "breath" better. However, where can i find specs on cams so that i do not buy one that will ram the valves into the pistons....Then, moving across from the cam i would have the lifters. I was told most are now oil filled to add some cushion into the system. Would i gain any horsepower by replacing these or are they about the same no matter what kind you use? Then this brings you to the rockers, what advantages would i gain by replacing the rockers? could i gain horsepower or would just using the stock rockers be fine? This leads us to the valves themselves, is there any reason to switch to new valves or should the stock ones be fine to use? Next, i have an area that i do not know nearly as much about which is the intake manifold and throttle body. I know by replacing the intake manifold to a higher flow one you can gain a good amount of horsepower, but what is a good one to put on? not to expensive but with good gains, also is replacing the throttle body worth it or can it handle a new intake manifold? Then i would also probably be slapping a K&N cold air intake on just for ****s and giggles. Next is the exhaust manifold, i'm not sure what the blazer currently has on the 01 vortec but i would like to put headers on it to improve the flow. i'm not sure how possible this is...give me your opinions. hmm.. so i think that pretty much covers the entire engine rebuild pleassseeee tell me what i left out cause im sure i did leave something out, also there is something made for the jeep engines call a stroker crank shaft and it increases the displacement from 4.0L to 4.6L is there anything like that made for the blazers? thank you for all your help guys!!! its helping me more than you could believe!!!

 

Long block comes mostly assembled. Only thing to bolt on are the accessories, starter etc...no internal engine work required.

 

ha thanks, sorry about the major amount of questions above

So, im looking at getting the new cam shaft, lifters, rockers, push-rods, timing sets, and valves and spring components all from compcams, does anyone have a good suggestion for which camshaft to get im kinda lost. also, when it comes to rockers what does the stud and ratio mean?

 

please note, i'm not bashing you with anything i'm gonna say here, sometimes i'm just to blunt with my words.

i edited it down for space (and not to repeat every word of yours), but everything you said/mentioned in there just tells me more & more that you really need to talk to an engine builder/shop. i highlighted on part there that really stood out in my "what?!?" questions.

i know you're only 16 & in school still, but are you taking any auto shop classes? these are things you could be discussing with your teacher.

if you're not, then you should start asking around the performance shops in your area. even try hitting the speed shops, 'cause they'll be in the know of any good engine shops around. also ask specifically how much of their work is done on Chevy engines, and how many 4.3's they've worked on/built.

***NOTE*** you also need to start breaking down such long posts into paragraphs, it makes it soooooo much easier to read.

 

Ha I wish our school had an auto class but unfortunately they got rid of it years ago....but what kind of shops could I go in and ask these kinds of questions? In my area..Rochester hills Michigan...it doesn't seem like there would be that many shops that would help a small guy out. Maybe I could talk to the guys up at murrays but idk how much they actually know.

And next I have a really long post I'll break it down =p thanks for the tip

 

^^^no need to break it down, just break it up. don't they teach you about that in English class anymore?

general rule, anytime you have a new point to make or ask (topic/direction), you should start a new paragraph. now why the hell couldn't i have gotten better marks in English when i was in school? hahahahaha!

like i said already, start talking to any performance shops around you (the guys that sell the parts), they should be able to tell you who you can talk to/trust. and don't just take the first guys wors, shop around. info is knowledge, and knowledge is the key to getting what you want, hopefully without getting screwed in the process.

 

i meant break it up =p shows how much AP english does for me =_=

anyway ill hunt around like you suggest, the problem is there really aren't as many shops around compared to the older days....not that i would know...just what ive heard haha. not enough people do their own work anymore.

 

So ive decided to take another path with this engine idea and go back to swapping it with a more powerful engine....however i think the 5.3L V8 is a little on the small side....a 350 small block should do the trick.

Ill probably get a scrap one from a salvage lot and rebuild it. i have been told by a friend of mine that you can do the engine and a scrapped tranny rebuild for under a grand

For the power you get i think this is definitely worth the money. Does anyone have any opinions good or bad about this?

Also, from what i can tell i wont have much issues fitting into the existing engine area except for the radiator fan but that can be easily solved by switching to an electric fan.

Thoughts?