'97 Chevrolet 1500 V6 ok?

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thunderfog

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Just have a basic question here on a used truck potential purchase. Is the 4.3 Vortec V6 too underpowered for 1500 regular cab truck? It has 147k miles on the clock and they have it listed for $4000 (one owner).

The V6 in a full size truck scares me, and if it's been beat on because it's underpowered, the miles would kill the deal. (I realize it's impossible to know the driving habits of the driver.)

It would be a light-duty part time driver for us.

Thoughts?

Edit: Have yet to drive it or look at it. Pics look clean, but would obviously give it a drive.
 
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I had a side step GMC full size and my mother in law is driving a 97 GMC Sierra....plenty of power, good on gas and that engine is great. The only think I'd check is to see if it smokes on start up, that engine is notorious for leaking manifold gasket and valve seals. But, it won't use much oil and actually it's not a bad idea to have a little oil coating over the cylinders upon start up. I've pulled my 19 foot boat with it and there was still plenty of power.
 
We have a 4.3 Vortec in the company van ('97 Express) at work and it pulls like a V8 would. I actually thought it was a V8 for a while until I looked under the hood. It only has 43,000 miles on it but the van looks like it has 430,000 on it. Hardly anything in the van works, but the motor runs great. It leaks oil and the speedometer is lazy and moves in 5-10mph increments sometimes. A/C doesn't work, headliner is coming off, paint is rusting/peeling/etc., the horn doesn't work, suspension is bouncy, seats are torn, locks don't work, etc. etc.

Anyways, going back on-topic a bit more, $4,000 for a truck of that vintage/mileage seems a little high to me... I've seen them go for less than that with less miles.
 
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe


Anyways, going back on-topic a bit more, $4,000 for a truck of that vintage/mileage seems a little high to me... I've seen them go for less than that with less miles.


Good to know. Thanks!
 
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
We have a 4.3 Vortec in the company van ('97 Express) at work and it pulls like a V8 would. I actually thought it was a V8 for a while until I looked under the hood. It only has 43,000 miles on it but the van looks like it has 430,000 on it. Hardly anything in the van works, but the motor runs great. It leaks oil and the speedometer is lazy and moves in 5-10mph increments sometimes. A/C doesn't work, headliner is coming off, paint is rusting/peeling/etc., the horn doesn't work, suspension is bouncy, seats are torn, locks don't work, etc. etc.

Anyways, going back on-topic a bit more, $4,000 for a truck of that vintage/mileage seems a little high to me... I've seen them go for less than that with less miles.


I should mention that the trucks I've seen go for less were Michigan trucks, so we have to deal with the wonderful salty roads and the rust, so perhaps a truck without rust from down south would be worth more than they are up here.
 
I have been in an Astro with the 4.3 and it didn't feel underpowered. These engines also have a proven track record. Pretty reliable overall.
 
Don't expect to win any drag races , but it's a great little engine. Low end torque and easy to maintain. Keep an eye on the intake gaskets and coolant condition .
 
Originally Posted By: dave1251
Light duty part timer. Perfect fit for the 4.3.


+1 Solid and reliable vehicle. I agree with the price. Check for rust as well. Given the age of the vehicle there could be brackets etc. that could be comprimised in the near future.
 
I echo many of the comments on here. It is a solid engine in terms of reliability. The distributor is a weak point as mentioned (screws to hold cap on corrode) making cap replacement impossible in the later years (like now). It is ok for power, with your description (light duty) that should not be a big deal. Price - seems high to me as well, I sold my mint 96 K1500 full load 5.7 with the same mileage for the same a few years ago, I understand the markets may be different regionally though. However, if the truck is in absolutely excellent condition that is not a terrible price. I like original owner vehicles for sure.
 
I know my 1998 K1500 4.3L didn't have a distributor cap, so I assume that was the first year of the changeover?

I miss that truck and wish I still had it. Plenty of power for my light usage and ~20mpg highway IIRC. Didn't really track MPGs at the time given fuel was so cheap then. The good old days.
 
As long as its in good shape its a great truck, and the 4.3 has plenty of HP as long as your not towing to much.

147k miles isn't really that much.
 
4.3l is perfect for light duty. When u inspect the vehicle, check for oil leaks and coolant leaks. Check to see if the shocks need replacing. Then negotiate the price, I think u can get him to go $3k or under.
 
I passed on the truck. On it's third transmission. Everything else looked pretty good, although the frame was getting a little pitted in places.
 
Worst case was you'd be on the hook for the 4th...

Have to wonder if they were just hard on it, or it has stupid tall highway gears, or it just got shoddy rebuilds.
 
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