Newbie on the fence!

[astrodamus]

Hello all! I have a 98 Astro cargo 4.3L, that I know will need to be pushed by 6 very soon. I've been combing the internet researching V8 swaps and what I've notice was that a majority of the swaps was done to pre-95 trucks. I ran across this site: http://www.allnitevans.com/astroproj/astropage1.html and it almost scared the V8 out of me. To some up the site from "my understanding", It was going to be a nightmare of a job to swap out a post '95 engine. I know that it takes money to get the job done, but I don't want to end up spending new car prices in the process. Because just like 95% of the good folks on this site, I'm on a tight budget. I've always wanted a V8 powered Astro, so I took the first step, I bought one only to be told that I bought the wrong year..wow! Any help or direction that you all give me would be greatly appreciated!!!

[LiftedAWDAstro]

I wouldn't put any faith into the ONE write-up you posted. This guy did NO research before doing the swap. Heck, he even stated "Astro had V-belts and serpentine belts ,on some of the older models,both V belts and serpentine on the same engine, the newer ones use just one belt, a long, unwieldy, frustrating,hard to position, Serpentine belt that runs everything. I wanted to use indivdual belts,I hated the idea of depending on one belt for all my accessories, all my eggs in one basket, so to speak.". I don't know about anyone here, but in my 22 years of driving, I have NEVER seen a serpentine belt break. I have seen where an idler pulley bearing fails and the belt comes off, but never a belt to break or fail. Another issue is the right side heads on pre-87 engines not having the bolt holes for the accessories, this is common knowledge if you do the research first.

There are MANY guys on here who have done swaps and will help along the way. Will it be easy...probably not, but then again if it was easy, everyone would do it.

[1Gary]

I wouldn't put any faith into the ONE write-up you posted. This guy did NO research before doing the swap. Heck, he even stated "Astro had V-belts and serpentine belts ,on some of the older models,both V belts and serpentine on the same engine, the newer ones use just one belt, a long, unwieldy, frustrating,hard to position, Serpentine belt that runs everything. I wanted to use indivdual belts,I hated the idea of depending on one belt for all my accessories, all my eggs in one basket, so to speak.". I don't know about anyone here, but in my 22 years of driving, I have NEVER seen a serpentine belt break. I have seen where an idler pulley bearing fails and the belt comes off, but never a belt to break or fail. Another issue is the right side heads on pre-87 engines not having the bolt holes for the accessories, this is common knowledge if you do the research first.

There are MANY guys on here who have done swaps and will help along the way. Will it be easy...probably not, but then again if it was easy, everyone would do it.

X2 from me.You "could" buy a newer non Astro vehicle,but never have what you really want.

[Smiliesafari]

I've been doing custom engine swaps for more than 30 years. Here's some things to consider.
1..Do you have the skill to accomplish this project?
2..Do you have the tools necessary to do the work?
3..Do you have the space to dedicate to this project for however long it takes?
4..Do you have enough money to see this project to completion.
5..Do you have and are you willing to spend however much time is required?
6..If you are married is your wife on board?
7..Do you have a very clear vision of what you are expecting this project to accomplish?
If you can say YES to all of the above then this swap is a walk in the park. It's a very common swap. All of the problems have already been worked out. Do some searching on this site. All of the questions that you might have will have been addressed. If you can't find answers just ask. This is a very accommodating family of Astrosafarian brothers and sisters.

[Rebel]

6..If you are married is your wife on board?

boy Skip,,that's a must or at least "I guess it's okay" from the better half.

[astrodamus]

Thanks everyone for responding! I appreciate the your time. You guys are great! Like i said before I always wanted a V8 powered Astro and by golly I will have my cake and eat it too! But on the real side of things, I will start looking for a donor truck instead of just looking for an engine. I see now that this would have been one of my many mistakes in my swap process.

[Cobra]

so I took the first step, I bought one only to be told that I bought the wrong year

I personally think you bought the right year since i intend to do a V8 swap when this stupid work horse of an engine dies (might be a while) I would only do it on a 97 or 98 but that's just my opinion. The right people to ask about swaps are definitely here if they haven't done it yet they'll know where to find the information

[astrodamus]

so I took the first step, I bought one only to be told that I bought the wrong year

I personally think you bought the right year since i intend to do a V8 swap when this stupid work horse of an engine dies (might be a while) I would only do it on a 97 or 98 but that's just my opinion. The right people to ask about swaps are definitely here if they haven't done it yet they'll know where to find the information

Thanks Cobra!

[potskie]

I wouldn't put any faith into the ONE write-up you posted. This guy did NO research before doing the swap. Heck, he even stated "Astro had V-belts and serpentine belts ,on some of the older models,both V belts and serpentine on the same engine, the newer ones use just one belt, a long, unwieldy, frustrating,hard to position, Serpentine belt that runs everything. I wanted to use indivdual belts,I hated the idea of depending on one belt for all my accessories, all my eggs in one basket, so to speak.". I don't know about anyone here, but in my 22 years of driving, I have NEVER seen a serpentine belt break. I have seen where an idler pulley bearing fails and the belt comes off, but never a belt to break or fail. Another issue is the right side heads on pre-87 engines not having the bolt holes for the accessories, this is common knowledge if you do the research first.

There are MANY guys on here who have done swaps and will help along the way. Will it be easy...probably not, but then again if it was easy, everyone would do it.

I have seen one break on my Safari. At work I've have 5 break in the last 2 months.... All on our 550s and 650s. Throws ya right off suddenly losing power brakes and steering all at once. But I still prefer them to v belts.

[6spd_monte]

.... All on our 550s and 650s...

You mean like E60s and E63s? Where do you work, Potskie?