Astro Van Engine Swap (Completed)

[dan2286]

Re: Astro Van Engine Swap

I would love to know what your neighbors said when they first saw the van being propped up like that

The house next to us on that side is for sale. So i'd really love to know how the realtor explains it to prospective buyers.
I think they've shown it 3-4 times since I started working on the van.

Well, if any G body owners want to be your neighbor, I'm sure they can get a great price on the house :lol:

 

[DRIVEN]

Re: Astro Van Engine Swap

Today, we finished it up and got it started. I'm not real thrilled. It's missing and/or running rich, not sure which is causing which yet. There is a possibility the cat is causing problems, it's rattling. The check engine light is also on, so i'm a lil curious what it has to say.

Earty Vortecs were pretty notorious for fuel leaks inside the manifold plenum. All the extra fuel (and low pressure to one cylinder) will definitely cause the symptoms you described. If ignored, it will eventually result in bearing damage. Ever wonder why so many Blazers and Astros are for sale with bad 4.3s? A quick check is to put a fuel pressure gauge on it. Start it up and shut it off. Pressure (61-66psi? IIRC) should hold and not bleed off. At least you got it back together and running though.

 

[jrm81bu]

Re: Astro Van Engine Swap

Today, we finished it up and got it started. I'm not real thrilled. It's missing and/or running rich, not sure which is causing which yet. There is a possibility the cat is causing problems, it's rattling. The check engine light is also on, so i'm a lil curious what it has to say.

Earty Vortecs were pretty notorious for fuel leaks inside the manifold plenum. All the extra fuel (and low pressure to one cylinder) will definitely cause the symptoms you described. If ignored, it will eventually result in bearing damage. Ever wonder why so many Blazers and Astros are for sale with bad 4.3s? A quick check is to put a fuel pressure gauge on it. Start it up and shut it off. Pressure (61-66psi? IIRC) should hold and not bleed off. At least you got it back together and running though.

I'll check it out, thanks.

We took it down the road a few times to day. The more I drive it the better it seems to run. I thought the master cylinder was bad, after topping it off it had NO pedal whatsever. I was using the e-brake to stop it but on the last trip I hit the brake pedal and it's starting to get some feel to it, so, I guess i'll try bleeding them first. We also hollowed out the cat the best we could to make sure it wasn't plugged, it might have helped some, but more importantly whatever that was rattling around inside has now stopped.

 

[jrm81bu]

Re: Astro Van Engine Swap

Well ichecked out the fuel pressure. 95-100lbs is not a good thing. I had known about the injector assemblies going bad, but not about the regulators. Before I did anything else, I decided to check the return line. Sure enough, plugged. We put 125psi in to it and nothing.
Unhooked the line down by the tank(previous splice), blew air through the line, not plugged. Figured it must be plugged in the ending unit or the short section of line before it. Went ahead and dropped the tank, blew air into the sending unit, not pugged. OK what the hell?
The only good thing about dropping the tank again was seeing the brake line behind it leaking. We put the tank back in and blew through the line again, and no restrictions. Tuned on the key, 60psi. Not sure why it wasn't f;lowing before but it is now.
Went to start the van and it wouldn't fire. Plugged the distributor back in 😳 , but still wouldn't start. Figured we fouled the plugs, so I changed them(not the funnest thing to do). Hit the key and fired right up and ran smooth. Bout friggin time! 😀

Still gotta fix the brakes. Got a feeling that will require replacing most of it, ie, steel line, rubber line, steel lines on the diff and prolly the wheel cylinders. Then bleed them which will prolly require replacing the calipers and maybe front rubber lines . Then get some good tires on it, clean it up, post some pics, and call this one done.


I hope.

 

[CamaroAdam73]

Wow, Congrats. You performed a frame off restoration on an astovan , I'm not hating, good job. Looks like allot of freaking work, at least you've got something to show for it!

 

[jrm81bu]

Lol, thanks. It wasn't that bad really, got lucky on a lot of things. Ya know stuff coming apart instead breaking off. When I get everything done, i'll post pics and then let you guys know how much I have in it.

 

[jrm81bu]

I got the small oil leak fixed, replaced the last leaking brake line, and then bled out the brakes. We managed to round up 4 235/75/15's, they are mixed brand but they're on. Might go back at a later time and go with a 2in lift and 30x9's or if I can 31x10.5's.
Went yesterday and got tags and insurance on it. Took it out for a lil drive through toen and out to a friend's house. Didn't come across any problems, yay! Prolly get the girlfriend to drive it today, since it's gonna be hers anyway.
Maybe an update later tonight with pics, all cleaned up. Then i'll tell ya what I got in it. 8)

 

[jrm81bu]

wow great story and loved the pics on the work you did. sounds like an intersting swap and hats off to you for a job well done.

Thanks man! It all worked out pretty decent but ALOT of stuff could have went wrong and made it much more of a job to do.

 

[86Limited]

Re: Astro Van Engine Swap

I would love to know what your neighbors said when they first saw the van being propped up like that

I'm assuming you live in a non HOA community! you got to love them condo commandos

 

[jrm81bu]

Re: Astro Van Engine Swap

I would love to know what your neighbors said when they first saw the van being propped up like that

I'm assuming you live in a non HOA community! you got to love them condo commandos

I live just outside of the city limits. I will never live in a community were there is all kinds of bs rules about everything. Hell city ordinances are bad enough.