Change the timing chain & gears; change the timing damper; put a new oil pump in it or rebuild the old one.

Check the lifters for auto-rotation and if they don't spin when you turn the crankshaft, replace the cam & lifters.

Be sure to pull the tranny input shaft bushing out of the end of the 3.4 crankshaft and renew; or if you have an auto tranny, be sure there is no bushing installed.

If you have a manual trans, the clutch used in 4WD 3.1 Rodeo's and P'ups is larger in diameter and stronger. Be sure to get a 4WD version since the 2WDs have a Borg-Warner trans, and of course that won't work with an Isuzu MUA tranny!

Don't forget to have the flywheel turned or just get an exchange for a remanufactured one at your local auto parts store. Same flywheel as a 4WD 2.8 S-10 so most stores should have one on the shelf.

Renew the rear main seal and check the camshaft 'blind' plug at the back of the bellhousing for oil leakage. A lot easier to reseal when the engine's out than in!

If your radiator was marginal with a 2.8, it'll be bad with a 3.4. Note the stock 2-core rad in good condition has plenty of cooling capacity for a 3.4. I towed 2000+ lbs up I-5 out of Portland with mine, in 85 deg Aug heat, going 70 mph in 5th with the cruise control on! The temp gage barely budged.

Try www.radiatorbarn.com if you need a rad, they have good deals.

Cheers............ed <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Forgot to mention that one too. Wanna make sure that you're using the flywheel off of your old (2.8) motor. The one that comes with the camarobird won't work. And, like Ed said, the 3.1 clutch is a good upgrade. Put them side by side and you'll easily spot the difference, lol.

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Personally, I'd change out everything that you can afford. New timing, new water pump, new oil pump, new gaskets all around (except maybe head, but if you decide to do head, make sure to realize that the bolts are torque to yeild and that you'll need to buy new bolts. Readily available and cheap though), new bearings all around, etc. Basically, anything that can go bad, now's the time to replace it instead of having to open it back up to replace it later. Might as well have a brand new motor, essentially, instead of a used motor. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

sweet thanks for the replies and advice. I have a budget to work with so I am wanting to try and meet that. There is some other stuff I want to do but I dont think that budget will alot for some of the other stuff. I got about 1500 to work with. I really appreciate all the info guys, keep it comming. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

o and what year rodeo for the clutch?

Get one for a 92ish. I believe after that, they switched over to the Isuzu motor.



RE oil pump: Not sure if you've gotten the info from Ed yet or not, but make sure you get the correct pickup for the oil pump. Can't use the pickup tube that came with the donor 3.4; you have to use the one that came with the 2.8 because the 4wd oil pan is deeper than the camarobird's. Should have a part number in all that stuff he'll send you. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Richard <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

well guys after alot of thought and kicking this back and forth around a bit and looking at the money end of it I think I am going to keep a 2.8 but put the 4.3 TBI and bore the intake and redo the exhaust. I REALLY appreciate all the info for the 4.3 swap and it still might be something I will do in the future after I get the drivetrain in order. I just dont want to spend all the loot on the engine, I think alot of the little things will eat away at the budget for the engine swap. Once again though I really appreciate the info and your guys help on the matter.