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I am getting ready for engine selection for my latest luv, I have at my disposal a stock 77 350, also a carbed. 4.3l out of 86 1/2 ton truck. Which will benefit be best? both engines will be backed by th350 tranny. any advise will be helpful, also any luv owners in central Ala.???

Install the 350, and shoot the 4.3 to me!!!!!!!!!!

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Looking for that special LUV.

Go with the 350. 4.3 motors are reliable as hell but it wont be long before you'll wish you installed the V-8.
Gas mileage will be better with the 4.3 if the truck is a daily driver, but it's a noticable drop compared to a stock motor. A V-8 as a daily driver is pretty fun but it wont be practical because you'll find yourself nursing the truck around with fuel costing around 3 bucks a gal.

So ask yourself, do you want a better than stock motor that has some kind of gas mileage? Or do you want a rocket under the hood and hell with the cost of fuel?

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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.

yeah, I have pretty much decided on v-8, I count on my 6 banging s10 for gas milage, I want something, that when I floor it, I shoot right past atleast 1 gas station, gonna start fabbing firewall if rain holds off tonite, then hopefully drop 350 in this weekend, thx for helping me make up my mind

you dont have to do anything to the firewall to fit a smallblock and a th350 in a luv.




you just have to set it in there the right way

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"but its that gut feeling of you're drawn to what feels right for yourself and what you're passionate about..."

Due to $$ restraints I plan to keep OE radiator hopefully in stock location, can that be done without mods. to firewall?? I have alternate cooling ideas using a 1 gallon rad. borrowed from motorcycle that has appx. 6" fan , I will mount it on fenderwell,,any more ideas will be useful

You're heading into a grey area with building a 2 stage cooling system. Most of us that have tried to cut cost have fell short on our goals.
I would strongly suggest that you save up for a 200 dollar aluminum radiator.
Taking a 200 dollar bite in the wallet is far better than building a weird system that could damage the engine.

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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.