Last summer I purchased a 95 g20 from a guy in Georgia and drove it back home to ny. The body and interior are nice as can be but everything else has been hell for me, new tires, new front end, new shocks, new water pump, new radiator, and several other things. I feel like I fix one thing and two more things go. Recently I've noticed a slight tick in the engine. I'm not to savvy when it comes to the engines so I'm not to sure what it could be.

My question is, what kind of engine is it. Its the 5.7 v8 350, I know that. But what are my options for replacing it. I think this may be the route to go, because with my luck with the van, I'd rather have a whole new trustworthy engine. I'm going to eventually be traveling the states with it so to need it to be trustworthy. I guess I'm just trying to find my options.

 

Anyone have any suggestions on a replacement engine?

 

Chevy 350 (5.7) are good motors purchase a long block.

 

I seem to think this is what I'm looking for? Seems reasonable? Are there other options?

http://m.summitracing.com/parts/nal-12568758

 

Looks good like a good choice.

 

I have the conversion van, and plan on towing a small trailer. Would this still be a good choice, or are there others as well?

 

Your van with a fresh motor should be a great tow vehicle just be careful on your trailer weight, conversion vans are fairly heavy.

 

Your gcvw is on the door sticker. Thats the van plus cargo plus trailer weight max. My 3/4 ton will tow 5800 lbs max trailer weight. If you have 3.42 gears on yours then it would be less than that. The motor can handle it, its the tranny that will feel the burn...lol
your van is a 350 with tbi. You can swap your intake onto a diff engine. Just make sure its not too much diff in age. I believe there's a few diff bolt patterns. The engine tick could be a lifter. It might just need a head job. You could do a compression test, and see how the engine is. How many miles on it?