[sailorjohn70]

I am looking at getting a '91 S-10 the posting description says:

"New starter, alternator, battery,water pump,radiator, shocks n brakes. Interior is shot needs driver side door glass. 4.3 v6 runs strong. It will need a flywheel eventually or starter shimmed. I drive it everyday &1500obo."​

​

I offered 1,000 he said he would take 1,100. I've watched a 30 sec video and it seems to run well with a low deep rumble. The alternator and master cylinder look quite clean and bright in the video so very well could be new. After talking with him on the phone I don't think he did any of the "new" additions, I think they were "new" when he bought the truck.

He said he thinks it will need a flywheel because some time when it starts it clicks a few times before it will start but it does always start. If the title looks to be in good order and I can get it to start and drive up on my transport trailer I'll buy it. (I've had to replace a flywheel on a manual Bronco II 4X4 because the teeth around the flywheel wore out and the starter would not engage anymore. That was a relatively easy job that did not require removing the trany just letting it hang down enough to ge to the flywheel.)

What is a good way to diagnose if the flywheel really needs to be replaced?

How long (and how many hands) does it generally take to change the flywheel in an automatic 4.3 S-10, and does it require any special tools?

Also, is shimming the starter an option?

 

[aitch]

Welcome to the Forum. If it's the starter/ solenoid clicking when trying to start the engine, those are possibly the more likely the part(s) that need replacing. And it would be really hard to change a flywheel for a 4.3 w/ A/T, since it doesn't have one. It does, however, have a flex plate, that has the ring gear teeth on it. It's bolted to the torque converter and the engine crankshaft. IIRC, there is an inspection plate at the bottom that can be removed to visually inspect the torque converter and flex plate. Also, IIRC, the tranny needs to be removed to change the flex plate, and that becomes more involved if the truck is 4WD. Since you hadn't mentioned it, is the truck 2WD or 4WD, and what is the mileage of the truck? Can you post a video of the sound(s) when the truck 'clicks' when trying to start it? It would get posted to youTube, and then provide a link to that video in a post. And also, if you get a chance, can you post some photos of the truck?

 

[sailorjohn70]

The truck is a 2WD
The sales post lists the milage as 111,111 (I seriously doubt that is even close to correct)
I don't have any videos of the truck starting
I will post pics when I get the truck.

What is the vehicle weight of a '91 2WD 4.3 w/AT S-10?
(The winch I have to use on my trailer is only rated for 2,000 lbs.)

 

[aitch]

The truck is a 2WD
The sales post lists the milage as 111,111 (I seriously doubt that is even close to correct)
I don't have any videos of the truck starting
I will post pics when I get the truck.

What is the vehicle weight of a '91 2WD 4.3 w/AT S-10?
(The winch I have to use on my trailer is only rated for 2,000 lbs.)

I don't know the curb/ empty weight, but I'd guess it to be in the area of about 2900 - 3000 lbs.

 

[sailorjohn70]

What tool is needed to remove the access plate to view the ring gear.

 

[aitch]

What tool is needed to remove the access plate to view the ring gear.

Wrench and/ or socket - I don't recall the size. There may be a YouTube video that would clarify that. And there may be some peripheral items that may need to be removed/ loosened to remove the plate.