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New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L

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Old June 11th, 2019, 8:49 PM
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Default New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L

How's everyone doing? I recently purchased a 1994 C1500 with over 303K miles and a known bad engine. I figured this would be a fun project where I could either learn how to rebuild an engine, or do an engine swap. I've got an FSM in the mail, and also have an owner's manual to thumb through. I also have a 1998 Tahoe, 1997 Corolla, 1983 280zx, and a 1978 El Camino a friend has been storing. Anyway, enjoy some pictures.

The day I picked it up.

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-ltiwtnf.jpg

Sitting at home under my car port.

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-sf3wu58.jpg

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-s6eaxql.jpg

My wife decided to surprise me by washing it while I was at work.

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-wy76fsv.jpg

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-lbhwicd.jpg

I decided to pull the spark plugs and inspect the cylinders, not pretty,

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-0mqxot3.jpg

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-bjgmzur.jpg

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Video of inside one of the nastier cylinders.

Old June 12th, 2019, 6:46 AM
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Welcome from Florida. Have fun with your project.
Old June 12th, 2019, 11:12 AM
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Thank you! I'll post some updates and probably ask a lot of questions as I go.
Old June 14th, 2019, 6:07 AM
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In an attempt to see if she would turn over I:
-Sprayed PB Blaster and fogging oil into each cylinder and let it sit for a day. (I didn't have any acetone or MMO handy)
-Changed out the old oil and filter. The old oil certainly had coolant in it (couldn't smell it) but it was very watery in appearance.

I then yanked the old plugs, disconnected fuses related to the ignition, hooked up a good battery and. . .. . . thunk. started reinstalling fuses and tried again, each time met with a single thunk. My wife said the alternator was trying to spin, but nothing else. I then tried getting underneath to turn the crank with a measly 3/8in breaker bar. Won't budge.

I guess I should start looking for a V8. The torque converter dust cover was missing, which I would think matches up with the supposed transmission replacement in the past. Judging from the oil pan, I think it's still a 4L60 which is nice.

Edit for pictures.

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-o7trudl.jpg

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-mbeqv30.jpg

Last edited by Chris94; June 14th, 2019 at 6:50 AM.
Old June 14th, 2019, 7:50 AM
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It cleaned up pretty nice. Pull the heads and see what you have.
Old June 14th, 2019, 8:13 PM
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It really did clean up well, thanks. I got the bed emptied out of trash, and washed out this evening. I'll probably yank the whole engine and see what's up with it.
Old June 24th, 2019, 12:00 PM
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Nice project all the best with it! was also fun to read.
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Chris94 (June 24th, 2019)
Old June 24th, 2019, 4:46 PM
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Thanks! I might have an update tomorrow. Looking at getting a complete 5.7 with 4L60 to try and rebuild.
Old July 1st, 2019, 8:46 PM
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A few days late on the update. I bought a 1993 5.7L and 4l60E combo. The 5.7 has a knock, but I think this is a great candidate to learn a rebuild on.

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-zbgogb6.jpg

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-esslj70.jpg

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-4tn3mpn.jpg

New member with a 1994 C1500 4.3L-ziepugc.jpg
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Old July 13th, 2019, 3:54 PM
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I haven't started the V8 tear down yet. I'm making sure I have the required parts and tools. The rebuild kit arrived a few days ago. I gave starting the old V6 another shot and she finally fired up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHtr...ature=youtu.be
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