Re: The old days

[Matt Haas <mhaas@xxxxxxx>]

The only issue I have with a V-6 in trucks is that they tend to produce 
their torque at higher RPM which stinks for towing and hauling. My 96 Ram 
with a 318 make 220 HP (which plenty of V6's do anymore) but it makes 300 
ft/lbs of torque at lower RPM (peak is at 3200 RPM but the torque curve is 
pretty flat from about 2000 RPM to that point) and is all done making power 
by about 4500 RPM. There are lots of V6's that are just starting to make 
power near this point. Most of the V6's I've paid attention to also tend to 
make less torque in general than a typical V8. Torque is the level that 
gets you down the road and I've rather have a 2 x 4 than a twig when it 
comes to levers.

Inline sixes are another matter all together. They typically have long 
strokes which makes for a bunch more torque at low RPM.  The 199's and 
232's in the 60's made peak torque at 1600 RPM. That's almost dieselesque 
and is also perfect for towing and hauling.

Of course, there is a downside to having gobs of torque at low RPM: the 
rear tires don't seem to last as long for some reason and every now and 
then, there's this screeching noise and white smoke that comes from the 
rear wheels. I haven't quite figured that out yet but I'm determined to put 
my foot down and get to the bottom of things.

Matt

At 01:20 PM 9/23/2005 -0400, you wrote:
> I've driven S-10s with the 4.3 (almost a hot rod!) and standard 1/2 ton 
> trucks (they're reasonable with no load). I wouldn't use one in a bigger 
> truck, not unless it had a five speed. It's like the GM/Isuzu 1.5 ton 
> trucks with the four cylinder diesels -- lots of gearing. With one of the 
> new six speed autos and low gears, with the right programming for the 
> trans controller, a 4.3 V-6 should do really good in a medium duty truck. 
> Of course the new 4.2L in-line six puts out 270 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque 
> -- The 4.3L Vortec only produced 180-190 hp and 245-250 lb-ft of torque. I 
> couldn't find WHER the torque and hp came in with a quick search -- I bet 
> the torque comes in a lot sooner on the in-line engine. Looks like the 4.3 
> isn't used in trucks any more, the 4.2L in-line replaced it. Good four 
> speed auto or five speed and the right gearing would make it right (that 
> six speed auto would be great!), and throw a turbo on for a little more umph.
>
> On September 23, 2005 mail@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
> > Anyone that's ever had 4.3 in a heavy truck knows what pig it can be. 
> God forbid if you got one of the ones with the balance shaft rattle! Try 
> and get it fixed after your 3-26 is up! Even though they promised they 
> would step up and fix it when the fix came out. I've never found a shop 
> willing to do so! GM, just plain sucks when it comes to customer relations!
> > Mark Price
> > mpriceAtwestco.net
>
>
> =============================================================
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mhaas@xxxxxxx
Cincinnati, OH
http://www.mattsoldcars.com
1967 Rambler American wagon
1968 Rambler American sedan
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