1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine

cinqoman22 · 09-30-2007, 07:48 PM

I have recently got a '94 sonoma 4x4 and it is on it's 2nd engine. I'm trying to figure out what to tell the parts store guy what the engine is when I need parts. Now the engine has a carb and a distributor, and it says vortec on the valve covers. Now can I assume that this is a 4.3L vortec engine? Or could the valve covers be from a vortec that were slapped on a 4.3L? I did see that "4.3L 365 G" is cast on the block below the pass side cylinder head. Anyway, what would be a distinguishing difference between a 4.3L engine and a 4.3L vortec engine?

**Midnight Tech** · 09-30-2007, 07:59 PM

Get the number off the passenger side of the block (it's on a machined pad at the front of the engine - the same surface the head is put on) and contact your local GM dealer with that number. He should with a bit of searching be able to tell you what that engine came out of.

**Raylo** · 10-01-2007, 04:36 AM

Carb doesn't sound right. IIRC there were 2 versions of the 4.3L that year (for Chevy mid size trucks/SUVs, anyway) which is usually the same for other GM divisions). The VIN Code Z had TBI and the Code W had CPI, both variations on fuel injection. Interesting to see what your engine number search turns up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cinqoman22

I have recently got a '94 sonoma 4x4 and it is on it's 2nd engine. I'm trying to figure out what to tell the parts store guy what the engine is when I need parts. Now the engine has a carb and a distributor, and it says vortec on the valve covers. Now can I assume that this is a 4.3L vortec engine? Or could the valve covers be from a vortec that were slapped on a 4.3L? I did see that "4.3L 365 G" is cast on the block below the pass side cylinder head. Anyway, what would be a distinguishing difference between a 4.3L engine and a 4.3L vortec engine?

cinqoman22 · 10-01-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnight Tech

Get the number off the passenger side of the block (it's on a machined pad at the front of the engine - the same surface the head is put on) and contact your local GM dealer with that number. He should with a bit of searching be able to tell you what that engine came out of.

I checked there and I saw the pad, but there wasn't any numbers stamped on it....could the number be in the back of the engine block?

**Midnight Tech** · 10-01-2007, 07:10 PM

Hmmm..... wonder if that block's been decked?

cinqoman22 · 10-01-2007, 07:21 PM

well, it's killing me now....I gotta know....uh, a decked block?

**Midnight Tech** · 10-01-2007, 07:36 PM

Best thing I can find on it ATM...
http://www.mortec.com/locatpg2.htm
Their page explains how decking (machining the sealing surface on the block where the head mounts) will remove any block casting numbers.

**qldit** · 10-01-2007, 07:38 PM

Good Morning Gentlemen, that sounds a bit "sus", an engine with no serial number!
I haven't seen one of those in ages!

Did you check the previous engine number location?

Cheers, qldit.

John_Deere07 · 10-03-2007, 12:34 PM

to get back back on point to help you actually answer your question, yes your truck is a 4.3 z vortec, i have a 95 s10 2x4 4.3z vortec, it has a fuel injection system that looks like a carb but it is infact 2 fuel injectors built into what looks like a carb ontop of the intake and the 365 you saw was probably 265 witch is the cubic inches of the block the only diffrence in the vortec and non vortec is the heads so if you need parts the only thing it would matter about would be heads or exhaust manifolds, so either way i hope i answered youre question

cinqoman22 · 10-03-2007, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_Deere07

to get back back on point to help you actually answer your question, yes your truck is a 4.3 z vortec, i have a 95 s10 2x4 4.3z vortec, it has a fuel injection system that looks like a carb but it is infact 2 fuel injectors built into what looks like a carb ontop of the intake and the 365 you saw was probably 265 witch is the cubic inches of the block the only diffrence in the vortec and non vortec is the heads so if you need parts the only thing it would matter about would be heads or exhaust manifolds, so either way i hope i answered youre question

thank you for your reply, that helps a lot......

09-30-2007, 07:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
cinqoman22 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4 OS: win xp	1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine I have recently got a '94 sonoma 4x4 and it is on it's 2nd engine. I'm trying to figure out what to tell the parts store guy what the engine is when I need parts. Now the engine has a carb and a distributor, and it says vortec on the valve covers. Now can I assume that this is a 4.3L vortec engine? Or could the valve covers be from a vortec that were slapped on a 4.3L? I did see that "4.3L 365 G" is cast on the block below the pass side cylinder head. Anyway, what would be a distinguishing difference between a 4.3L engine and a 4.3L vortec engine?

09-30-2007, 07:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,924 OS: Windows XP Home/Pro SP3/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint/TAMS II	Re: 1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine Get the number off the passenger side of the block (it's on a machined pad at the front of the engine - the same surface the head is put on) and contact your local GM dealer with that number. He should with a bit of searching be able to tell you what that engine came out of. __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

10-01-2007, 07:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,924 OS: Windows XP Home/Pro SP3/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint/TAMS II	Re: 1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine Hmmm..... wonder if that block's been decked? __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

10-01-2007, 07:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
cinqoman22 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 4 OS: win xp	Re: 1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine well, it's killing me now....I gotta know....uh, a decked block?

10-01-2007, 07:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,924 OS: Windows XP Home/Pro SP3/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint/TAMS II	Re: 1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine Best thing I can find on it ATM... http://www.mortec.com/locatpg2.htm Their page explains how decking (machining the sealing surface on the block where the head mounts) will remove any block casting numbers. __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

10-01-2007, 07:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
qldit TSF Gearhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Brisbane Australia. Posts: 592 OS: All Systems, mainly Linux	Re: 1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine Good Morning Gentlemen, that sounds a bit "sus", an engine with no serial number! I haven't seen one of those in ages! Did you check the previous engine number location? Cheers, qldit.

10-03-2007, 12:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
John_Deere07 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 4 OS: xp	Re: 1994 sonoma w/junkyard engine to get back back on point to help you actually answer your question, yes your truck is a 4.3 z vortec, i have a 95 s10 2x4 4.3z vortec, it has a fuel injection system that looks like a carb but it is infact 2 fuel injectors built into what looks like a carb ontop of the intake and the 365 you saw was probably 265 witch is the cubic inches of the block the only diffrence in the vortec and non vortec is the heads so if you need parts the only thing it would matter about would be heads or exhaust manifolds, so either way i hope i answered youre question