New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions

dB-r · 10-24-2009, 05:27 PM

Hi, new here. Recently aquired 1988 S10 ext cab 2wd 2.8 auto truck. Motor runs, body is straight, needs a little TLC and a new transmission. I also am buying a 1992 S10 ext cab truck for parts that was wrecked, however at the moment I am unsure if it's a 2.8/auto or 5 speed or 4 banger or possibly even a 4.3/auto or 5 speed truck. Should find out today but the wrecker hasn't dropped it off yet...

I am not new to mechanic work at all, been doing it since I was 14, now 35, but I have never owned an S10 so I have some questions:

For the 1988 truck:

What automatic transmission comes in these trucks, 2004R or 700R4/4L60? Will either transmission swap with the other?

Let's say I wanted to make this truck kind of a resto project, where would be a place I could buy OEM type interior parts for it like door panels, plastic pieces etc? Anywhere?

What all is involved in swapping the 2.8 for the 4.3? with TBI... I have a 4.3 just laying around, and the truck I have coming may have one, not sure yet, and if it runs good, then I may elect to swap it, but I am not against keeping the 2.8 as long as it runs okay, it won't get driven much so doesn't really matter what motor it has in it. Will the TBI stuff swap over? Just change EEPROM in computer or will it need the original 4.3 computer in whole, harness etc too?

This truck has a bearing on the drive shaft (center support bearing) it's a 2 piece drive shaft. Are all the ext cabs like this or are some straight shaft? Anything in particular I need to know about that bearing and whether it's broken or not, how to tell?

My drivers side door needs a hinge bushing kit, but also i think the bushing wore the hinge out, how to fix that? Weld the hole up and re-drill it for the bushing?

On the 1992 truck:

What differences are there from the 1988 to 1992 S10 trucks? Any?

Thanks in advance for help and I am sure I will have more questions...

neo71665 · 10-24-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dB-r

Hi, new here. Recently aquired 1988 S10 ext cab 2wd 2.8 auto truck. Motor runs, body is straight, needs a little TLC and a new transmission. I also am buying a 1992 S10 ext cab truck for parts that was wrecked, however at the moment I am unsure if it's a 2.8/auto or 5 speed or 4 banger or possibly even a 4.3/auto or 5 speed truck. Should find out today but the wrecker hasn't dropped it off yet...

I am not new to mechanic work at all, been doing it since I was 14, now 35, but I have never owned an S10 so I have some questions:

For the 1988 truck:

What automatic transmission comes in these trucks, 2004R or 700R4/4L60? Will either transmission swap with the other?

700r4

Let's say I wanted to make this truck kind of a resto project, where would be a place I could buy OEM type interior parts for it like door panels, plastic pieces etc? Anywhere?

junkyards, ebay, LMC

What all is involved in swapping the 2.8 for the 4.3? with TBI... I have a 4.3 just laying around, and the truck I have coming may have one, not sure yet, and if it runs good, then I may elect to swap it, but I am not against keeping the 2.8 as long as it runs okay, it won't get driven much so doesn't really matter what motor it has in it. Will the TBI stuff swap over? Just change EEPROM in computer or will it need the original 4.3 computer in whole, harness etc too?

Motor, mounts, tranny, ECM, might have to add to some of the sensor wires and such

This truck has a bearing on the drive shaft (center support bearing) it's a 2 piece drive shaft. Are all the ext cabs like this or are some straight shaft? Anything in particular I need to know about that bearing and whether it's broken or not, how to tell?

Yes, it'll be pretty easy to tell if its worn once you grab it and wiggle

My drivers side door needs a hinge bushing kit, but also i think the bushing wore the hinge out, how to fix that? Weld the hole up and re-drill it for the bushing?

Oversized bushing kit unless its too worn then yes, weld and redrill

On the 1992 truck:

What differences are there from the 1988 to 1992 S10 trucks? Any?

Core support and grille, anything else is gonna be minor and most everything will still swap out.

Thanks in advance for help and I am sure I will have more questions...

Good luck

dB-r · 10-24-2009, 05:58 PM

Thanks for all the answers. I was hoping the transmission was a 700R4 as I have an extra around here in case the truck I got coming is a 5 speed... Wrecker is still not here with it. I am assuming there is a bellhousing adapter that mates the two up? I changed the oil earlier and that didn't look like a normal inspection cover for a 700R4, must be the adapter...

I forgot LMC had S10 parts. I dealt with them a lot on full size stuff, but not S10.

I've also considered doing a 4.3 v6 swap, but buy a carb'd intake for it to keep it simple. This truck is going to get used for my business to compete in USACi (www.soundoff.org) Pro Stock Division in the 2010 season. So what motor is in it really doesn't matter as long as it will turn alternators and be able to drive on and off the car haul trailer...

Thanks!

neo71665 · 10-24-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by dB-r

Thanks for all the answers. I was hoping the transmission was a 700R4 as I have an extra around here in case the truck I got coming is a 5 speed... Wrecker is still not here with it. I am assuming there is a bellhousing adapter that mates the two up? I changed the oil earlier and that didn't look like a normal inspection cover for a 700R4, must be the adapter...

2.8 has a 60degree housing and 4.3/v8s have 90 degree patterns. Neither swap out and I've never heard of any adapter.

I forgot LMC had S10 parts. I dealt with them a lot on full size stuff, but not S10.

I'd only use them as a last ditch, too overpriced

I've also considered doing a 4.3 v6 swap, but buy a carb'd intake for it to keep it simple. This truck is going to get used for my business to compete in USACi (www.soundoff.org) Pro Stock Division in the 2010 season. So what motor is in it really doesn't matter as long as it will turn alternators and be able to drive on and off the car haul trailer...

Personally I'd look into swapping in a v8 over the 4.3. More power to run alts and the same headache as swapping in a 4.3

Thanks!

once again good luck

dB-r · 10-24-2009, 11:06 PM

The truck came, it's a 4.3 5 speed....

So I need to pull the bad trans out of my 2.8 auto truck and replace with a 700r4, does it have some special bellhousing that bolts to the 2.8?

I have a suburban with a 350cid/700r4, the 350 needs rebuild, but the 700r4 works. My question is can I just pull the 700r4 out of the suburban and stick it behind the 2.8 in the S10? Or do I need a 700r4 with a special bellhousing? confused....

One more question, 92 S10, 4.3 5 speed, is the trans a NV3500?

neo71665 · 10-24-2009, 11:40 PM

no, the 700r4 behind a 2.8 has a special bell houseing and the tranny case is all one.

dB-r · 10-24-2009, 11:53 PM

Crap, that sucks.... so i would need a 700r4 that came from behind a 60 degree v6..... special trans case just for those motors eh? That REALLY sucks, I don't even have a blown up 700r4 that was behind a 60 degree motor... just v8's and 4.3's.... Any suggestions? I won't to the 350 swap yet, worried about it overheating with a 350, and 4.3 should be more than adequate for a couple alternators, I am limited to 1200RPM anyway, gonna rely more on good batteries than the alternators...

10-24-2009, 05:27 PM	#1
dB-r Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions Hi, new here. Recently aquired 1988 S10 ext cab 2wd 2.8 auto truck. Motor runs, body is straight, needs a little TLC and a new transmission. I also am buying a 1992 S10 ext cab truck for parts that was wrecked, however at the moment I am unsure if it's a 2.8/auto or 5 speed or 4 banger or possibly even a 4.3/auto or 5 speed truck. Should find out today but the wrecker hasn't dropped it off yet... I am not new to mechanic work at all, been doing it since I was 14, now 35, but I have never owned an S10 so I have some questions: For the 1988 truck: What automatic transmission comes in these trucks, 2004R or 700R4/4L60? Will either transmission swap with the other? Let's say I wanted to make this truck kind of a resto project, where would be a place I could buy OEM type interior parts for it like door panels, plastic pieces etc? Anywhere? What all is involved in swapping the 2.8 for the 4.3? with TBI... I have a 4.3 just laying around, and the truck I have coming may have one, not sure yet, and if it runs good, then I may elect to swap it, but I am not against keeping the 2.8 as long as it runs okay, it won't get driven much so doesn't really matter what motor it has in it. Will the TBI stuff swap over? Just change EEPROM in computer or will it need the original 4.3 computer in whole, harness etc too? This truck has a bearing on the drive shaft (center support bearing) it's a 2 piece drive shaft. Are all the ext cabs like this or are some straight shaft? Anything in particular I need to know about that bearing and whether it's broken or not, how to tell? My drivers side door needs a hinge bushing kit, but also i think the bushing wore the hinge out, how to fix that? Weld the hole up and re-drill it for the bushing? On the 1992 truck: What differences are there from the 1988 to 1992 S10 trucks? Any? Thanks in advance for help and I am sure I will have more questions...
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10-24-2009, 05:37 PM	#2
neo71665 4x4 v6 blazer Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,002 Location: rison arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions Quote: Originally Posted by dB-r Hi, new here. Recently aquired 1988 S10 ext cab 2wd 2.8 auto truck. Motor runs, body is straight, needs a little TLC and a new transmission. I also am buying a 1992 S10 ext cab truck for parts that was wrecked, however at the moment I am unsure if it's a 2.8/auto or 5 speed or 4 banger or possibly even a 4.3/auto or 5 speed truck. Should find out today but the wrecker hasn't dropped it off yet... I am not new to mechanic work at all, been doing it since I was 14, now 35, but I have never owned an S10 so I have some questions: For the 1988 truck: What automatic transmission comes in these trucks, 2004R or 700R4/4L60? Will either transmission swap with the other? 700r4 Let's say I wanted to make this truck kind of a resto project, where would be a place I could buy OEM type interior parts for it like door panels, plastic pieces etc? Anywhere? junkyards, ebay, LMC What all is involved in swapping the 2.8 for the 4.3? with TBI... I have a 4.3 just laying around, and the truck I have coming may have one, not sure yet, and if it runs good, then I may elect to swap it, but I am not against keeping the 2.8 as long as it runs okay, it won't get driven much so doesn't really matter what motor it has in it. Will the TBI stuff swap over? Just change EEPROM in computer or will it need the original 4.3 computer in whole, harness etc too? Motor, mounts, tranny, ECM, might have to add to some of the sensor wires and such This truck has a bearing on the drive shaft (center support bearing) it's a 2 piece drive shaft. Are all the ext cabs like this or are some straight shaft? Anything in particular I need to know about that bearing and whether it's broken or not, how to tell? Yes, it'll be pretty easy to tell if its worn once you grab it and wiggle My drivers side door needs a hinge bushing kit, but also i think the bushing wore the hinge out, how to fix that? Weld the hole up and re-drill it for the bushing? Oversized bushing kit unless its too worn then yes, weld and redrill On the 1992 truck: What differences are there from the 1988 to 1992 S10 trucks? Any? Core support and grille, anything else is gonna be minor and most everything will still swap out. Thanks in advance for help and I am sure I will have more questions... Good luck
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2009, 05:58 PM	#3
dB-r Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions Thanks for all the answers. I was hoping the transmission was a 700R4 as I have an extra around here in case the truck I got coming is a 5 speed... Wrecker is still not here with it. I am assuming there is a bellhousing adapter that mates the two up? I changed the oil earlier and that didn't look like a normal inspection cover for a 700R4, must be the adapter... I forgot LMC had S10 parts. I dealt with them a lot on full size stuff, but not S10. I've also considered doing a 4.3 v6 swap, but buy a carb'd intake for it to keep it simple. This truck is going to get used for my business to compete in USACi (www.soundoff.org) Pro Stock Division in the 2010 season. So what motor is in it really doesn't matter as long as it will turn alternators and be able to drive on and off the car haul trailer... Thanks!
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2009, 06:28 PM	#4
neo71665 4x4 v6 blazer Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,002 Location: rison arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions Quote: Originally Posted by dB-r Thanks for all the answers. I was hoping the transmission was a 700R4 as I have an extra around here in case the truck I got coming is a 5 speed... Wrecker is still not here with it. I am assuming there is a bellhousing adapter that mates the two up? I changed the oil earlier and that didn't look like a normal inspection cover for a 700R4, must be the adapter... 2.8 has a 60degree housing and 4.3/v8s have 90 degree patterns. Neither swap out and I've never heard of any adapter. I forgot LMC had S10 parts. I dealt with them a lot on full size stuff, but not S10. I'd only use them as a last ditch, too overpriced I've also considered doing a 4.3 v6 swap, but buy a carb'd intake for it to keep it simple. This truck is going to get used for my business to compete in USACi (www.soundoff.org) Pro Stock Division in the 2010 season. So what motor is in it really doesn't matter as long as it will turn alternators and be able to drive on and off the car haul trailer... Personally I'd look into swapping in a v8 over the 4.3. More power to run alts and the same headache as swapping in a 4.3 Thanks! once again good luck
	[Reply w/Quote]

10-24-2009, 11:06 PM	#5
dB-r Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions The truck came, it's a 4.3 5 speed.... So I need to pull the bad trans out of my 2.8 auto truck and replace with a 700r4, does it have some special bellhousing that bolts to the 2.8? I have a suburban with a 350cid/700r4, the 350 needs rebuild, but the 700r4 works. My question is can I just pull the 700r4 out of the suburban and stick it behind the 2.8 in the S10? Or do I need a 700r4 with a special bellhousing? confused.... One more question, 92 S10, 4.3 5 speed, is the trans a NV3500?
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10-24-2009, 11:40 PM	#6
neo71665 4x4 v6 blazer Age: 29 Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 5,002 Location: rison arkansas User is: OffLine	Re: New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions no, the 700r4 behind a 2.8 has a special bell houseing and the tranny case is all one.
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10-24-2009, 11:53 PM	#7
dB-r Registered User Age: 35 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: New guy here 88 S10 2.8 questions Crap, that sucks.... so i would need a 700r4 that came from behind a 60 degree v6..... special trans case just for those motors eh? That REALLY sucks, I don't even have a blown up 700r4 that was behind a 60 degree motor... just v8's and 4.3's.... Any suggestions? I won't to the 350 swap yet, worried about it overheating with a 350, and 4.3 should be more than adequate for a couple alternators, I am limited to 1200RPM anyway, gonna rely more on good batteries than the alternators...
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