LUVTruck.com

Hello, I need some info. I have a 76 chevy luv with the 1.8 and it is blown. Any advice on what type of motor i can replace it with? perferably a V-6. Wants a little more HP than the 4 cyl. Thanks

Someone posted on this a few days ago. They said something along the lines of a 81-82 Chevy s10 v6 would bolt up to the stock 4 speed. http://forums.luvtruck.com/viewtopic.php?t=528

You may also want to use the search button. The Small Block Chevy is a very easy conversion to make. Even if you wanted to go with something really mild like a 305eng/350trans combo, you could probably do it just as cheap as a v6 conversion.

If you're sold on a v6, this would be a better one for Tilted or Larphead to answer.

The buick 231 (3.8liter) V6 is popular to use as a replacement.
It will run damn near forever. It is reliable and has good power for the small truck.
Advance adapters makes mounts and a kit to use as a bolt in replacement.

If you plan on going fast one day, the V8 is the best way to go, because you can start with bone stock and build on that platform.

Whatever you decide to do there are enough people on this board to help you tackle any engine swap.

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03Cobra

uh ...yeah what he said

i am just starting on my 3.8 v6 swap so im not sure how much help i would be.

the fact that i still wanna use mine for a truck (getting tired of hauling hay in my cavalier ) is the reason im doing the v6 thang.
i plan on never getting rid of the LUV tho so some day it will have a fully blown, NOS guzzeling, badass, v8 in it

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LOL, i thought I would click on this subject " blown motor" and see a luv with a 671 sticking out of the hood

ajalberts-
A few years ago I was considering the v-6 thing, mainly cause i wanted more power, but didnt want to get into the firewall cutting or the grille area. i was dead on for a v6. My motorhead buddies talked me into the v8. ill never regret goin with the v8. its a cheaper motor to build in most cases.(350) it was the first car Ive ever worked on and 4 years later.... it hauls! if your avoiding the v8, dont. Like it- love it- dddddoooooo iiiiitttttttt!

im going with the chevy v6/350 tranny, with a 4.3 4barrel intake, this particular v6 is just a 350 with 2 cylinders cut off is all that it amounts up to if your stuck on V6 go with this it seems that it will be great

later

Esley

i was gonna stick a 4 cyl out of a newer s-10 in mine. a fuel injected 4 holer. im not sure if the engine will bolt up or not. if not, i was gonna use the 5 speed and engine from the s-10.

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The S-10 engine...
I pulled a 2.8 V6, 5 speed out of a 84 S-10.. It took some work but it fits easily.. the motor mount are very jerry rigged.. and the transmission mount is about 2 inches too short... nothing a sheet of 1/4 sheetmetal couldn't solve.. drive shaft has to be cut too, about an inch or so... I think the engine has a nice mix of power and mpg.. i couldnt kill my old s-10 when it had that combo.. if you set it up.. i would like some pics of your mounts.. my motor mount are very weak.. and i dont think they will hold up too well..
good luck...

eek @ the 2.8 V6.
watch for the intake gasket leaking coolant into the engine. that is a common problem with those 2.8's.

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03Cobra

well if you can tollerate some down time it seems that in the long run putting in a non tuned 350 or 327 will be cheaper than the 2.8 or 4.3. Not in gas but it will be easier and cheper to find parts.
And yeah i posted that i remember one of the guys my bro worked whith hada 79 luv whith a flat bed and a 2.8L in it and he said it bolted up realy well. Too bad that truck got t-boned, guy hit him at 40mph crushed the truck.

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1980 LUV 4x4, going under re-construction...

V 8 V 8 V 8 V 8 V 8 V 8 V 8 V 8!

I've had 4 Buick V-6 motors under the hood and I dont regrete it. But i know that if this next motor goes away, I'll opt for a V-8. Only because it's cheaper and there are more options to go with. Ether way you go, installing a V motor will change your perception of you truck. It becomes a totaly different vehicle. It will be worth the work.

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Previous setup: 4.1 Buick V-6/TH 350
Current setup: 400 Small Block Chevy V-8/TH 350
9" ford rear end/short bed/blue
What do Water, Electricity and Humans have in common... They all travel the path of least resistance.

I'd go with the 4.3 Chevy. I've had those and 2.8's which are a problematic engine. The 4.3 has close to double the horsepower of a 2.8.

The most usable donor car would be an '85 Astro/Safari mini-van. These can be found in my area for about 1000 bucks. These had a 4BBL Quadrajet carb and not fuel injection. You'd also get the bonus of a 700R4 automatic transmission (overdrive).

Also a V8 SB Chev will bolt up to the 4.3 trans if you decide to V8 it at a later time.

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When everthing goes wrong....
What's right is what's left.