I recently blew the 4.3 apart in the mud pit and I was going to do a solid axle conversion and a 305 , but I think I'm going to do something a little different . Mostly because I don't have a transmission or transfer case yet for the 305 plus the axles are from a 79 3/4 ton chevy 8 bolt wheels and its pretty hard to get 15 inch wheels for them axles . But I have a 79 ford f150 with a strong 302 and real tight transmission and transfer case and the 4x4 drive shaft is on the left side just like my stock one . This blazer is a mud truck only now , and I will eventully put a solid axle in the front . It already went great in the mudd I've won first place in the pit against trucks with 38s , but now I will have a little more power .

 

you thinking about putting the ford stuff in the chevy? might be the first time ive seen that. aftermarket support might be a problem, like finding headers or exhaust to fit.
stupid stuff like that

i bought a set of 15inch 8 lugs, eaton makes them, i think they were 79.99 a piece. but you gotta grind down the front calipers a hair

 

its kinda like when we use to put bigger engines in cavaliers, headers and stuff you gotta make your own

best one ive seen was a 3800 with turbo was put into a cavalier, most people go with the 3800+supercharger from like a gtp but either way back on topic

i seen this alot "Anything is possible with enough money"

 

It'll be the first chevy that requires daily fixing and repair.. j/k Hope it works out for you.

 

the chevy is gonna throw every thing up good luck tho if your gonna tackle it

 

Heh... yeah make fun. Sometimes I think about finding a way to stick a Ford 3.8L EECIV {Ford's OBD1} system on the 4.3 so I could never have to worry about Fuel or ignition systems. Heck, there aint a damn thing wrong or unreliable about the rest of the 4.3L
-excepting the LIM gasket but that would be solved because I'd have to use the Marine intake anyway.

Ah, well. Mfrs have to pick a guinea pig for their bright ideas. Just so happened that it was Blazers were picked.
Probably because they figured it was the most loyal market segment and least likely to raise hell when they were bent over and jobbed.

I dunno about that swap in.. seems to me the accessory drive footprint on the 302/5L is longer than the 4.3's. So adding two cyl's would put it - the water pump pulley - right at the radiator.

Wonder if the stuff off a FWD 3.8L would bolt up?

Umm.. prolly not. Have to keep being reminded the ford 3.8 is more like the Buick 3800 than a 5.0

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech...onversion.html

 

I knew I'd get a responce from you! haha.. It wouldn't bolt up, at least I wouldn't think so.

 

V8 swap =)

 

Great comments , Yea there is still going to be alot of fab work to be done . But it will be a great winter project , this blazer is only for mud now . The engine and transmission and transfer case will go in fairly easy , I will have to have new drive shafts built , and new cross member . And I will not have a fan on the engine , I'll probably run duel electric fans . The good thing is I have several friends who work at machine shops and I'm a mechanic myself . I will take pictures of the process , And I still have to post the pictures of the 4.3 that was in it , tore up .

 

Here's a thought....how solid is the frame from the ford? It might be easier if the frame is solid and the wheelbase is at least sorta close to fab up body mounts and drop the blazer body on the ford frame....less fabrication of mounts for motor and trans and whatnot, may have to trim the frame and definately will have to fab body mounts but like you say it was a mud truck only.

Just my $.02