1983 G20 van build - looking for advice

[BabyDiesel]

Cripple, I see you're in Brazil. The 6.2s that were shipped down there might not have had emissions due to them not having to be driven in USA.

[kv1]

My mechanic has been cleaning and prepping the engine:
Currently waiting for the gaskets to arrive.










Engine was dirty and the water lines look corroded a little bit.

[kv1]

Hopefully I will buy this transmission in two days:


I have a couple questions: what is a shift kit? I have the diesel torque converter. Do I need to make anything else sure about the trans? It has 90k miles on it.

[BabyDiesel]

A shift kit is a kit that helps shifts

In seriousness, a shift kit is added to "firm" the shifts, that is to make the tranny shift quicker and slightly harder. It is a good upgrade for the 700r4. Reduces clutch wear and heat.

Maybe check the fluid and make sure it isn't ink? Black fluid= you gonna have a bad time.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by BabyDiesel

Cripple, I see you're in Brazil. The 6.2s that were shipped down there might not have had emissions due to them not having to be driven in USA.

Since they were mostly private imports brought from Miami I guess they still followed the American emission standards. Maybe the EGR just rot away due to the high sulphur content in the Diesel fuel back in the days

[BabyDiesel]

Rooster, your hypothesis is undeniable

How's the swap coming along kv1?!

[kv1]

Hey BabyDiesel!Thanks for all the help!

Sorry, been pretty busy with school. Just bought the trans today a 700r4 with 90k miles on it (from the craigslist ad pictured previously) for $400:


old engine (mechanic had to disassemble the block a little so it's easier to pull out, struggling to sell it. It's a 305 with 250k miles on it, although it was rebuilt recently.)


van with the old engine out:


same pic as previous just here u can see the old torque converter and trans as they are sitting there after the engine was removed:


New engine (mechanic cleaned it up a bunch):


Some rust on the cooling tubes:


short circuit/long circuit cooling valve, should be replaced:


My mechanic has a question about the 4wd vs 2wd transmission. Is the 700r4 a 4wd transmission and it needs the distribution to the front wheels to function properly? (forgot what the part is called haha). Or can the 700r4 only drive the rear wheels without worrying about it not having enough load with the distribution box for the front wheels. I hope I'm making sense lol!

Thank you all for all the support, knowledge, and information

[2000mc]

Originally Posted by kv1

My mechanic has a question about the 4wd vs 2wd transmission. Is the 700r4 a 4wd transmission and it needs the distribution to the front wheels to function properly? (forgot what the part is called haha). Or can the 700r4 only drive the rear wheels without worrying about it not having enough load with the distribution box for the front wheels.

that is a 2wd transmission, the 700r4 was used in 2wd and 4wd vehicles.
a 4wd 700r4 would look more like...

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

What would be the difference between a 2WD and a 4WD 700R4? If there is any...

[2000mc]

The tail housing or transfer case adapter. I think the output shaft is a different length, and changing that requires the better part of a tear down, as it comes out the front.