PennSilverTaco's "Perfect 5-Lug Regular Cab" Build, Aspergers, and General BS MegaThread!

The 4.3 was derived from the 90 degree 350 Chevy small block. So it was 90 degrees as well

 

But the 4.3L is still a damn good engine...

Also, my opinion of the 3.9L, especially the Magnum, is generally good.

 

@Iamraiderpower
@Jamesboy2233
@Plain Jane Taco

The 1990 Dodge Dakota Sport 4x4 pictured below is a prime example of how a properly-maintained 3.9L will continue running even when the truck in which it is installed is ready for the junkyard...

If you look closely at the picture, you will see that the truck appears to be literally bending in the middle at the gap between the cab and the bed. This is because the frame is apparently almost entirely rusted through! The owner was checking out the cars and trucks at that cruise night at the Dairy Queen in Quakertown, and we got to chatting. According to the owner, the rear brakes were totally shot in addition to the frame became rusted past the point of salvation. These pictures were taken in August 2014, and you will see that the inspection stickers are valid through April 2015. The term "PA State Inspection" refers to the safety inspection only. Emissions testing is separate (though done at the same time as the safety inspection), and only required in 25 out 67 counties (unfortunately Bucks is one of those counties). The owner told me this truck was in perfect working order under the hood, and absolutely refused to die. He stated that it started up the first time, every time, and ran like clockwork. Since this is a 1990 model, it has the 125hp non-Magnum 3.9L, so "underpowered but ultimately reliable" would be an accurate description. Thus, this truck passed the emissions test with flying colors, without much difficulty. However, a rusted frame and a bad rear brakes were only the tip of the iceberg and there is no way in hell this truck should have passed inspection. However, the owner "knew somebody" who slapped a valid inspection sticker on it. I am not going to lie...

Even I "know somebody" who will put a valid emissions and safety inspection stickers in my Tacoma if my dad's mechanic or the Toyota dealer (the only two places where I've ever gotten my Tacoma inspected) fail it for some petty bullshit reason. Unlike this ready-for-the-junkyard Dakota, my truck is not unsafe and with my OCD approach to maintenance probably never will be. However, no machine is perfect and for example, I once found the hard way that the CHECK ENGINE light will come on for issues that have absolutely nothing to do with the engine or emissions control...

Specifically, my horn malfunctioned and wouldn't shut off, so I had to pull the fuse and it made the light come on. In Pennsylvania, a CHECK ENGINE light illuminated for any reason, even if it has nothing to do with the actual engine, is an automatic fail. That said, I think I know a bit more about my truck than the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with regards to whether or not it is safe, so if my truck fails at one location because of a light being on then you bet your ass I'm going to take the easy route and have the person I know put stickers on it so I continue driving it while I figure out what's wrong with it...

Anyway, this Dakota was running and driving at the time the pictures were taken. The heater worked (it does not have A/C; never did), and the radio/cassette player worked. However, among other things, the odometer had quit working just past 100K miles so the true mileage was unknown. So yeah, ready for the junkyard...


August 10th, 2014:

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

 

More angles of the same truck...

Again, note how the truck seems to be "bent" in the middle, and how entire sections of the body have been eaten away by rust!


August 10th, 2014:

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

 

And, if you didn't believe me, here's photographic proof that the truck did run and drive...

I took these pictures when the owner was leaving the show...


August 10th, 2014:

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

 

Both the 4.3 and the 3.9 were durable designs...mainly from their proven heritage....that being the famous 350 CSB and the solid old Chrysler 318. But neither was a particularly refined mill.

Not all 90 degree V6's are rough around the edges, so to speak. The Buick 3.8 of the 1960's started out life as a lopped off 90 degree 215 CID V8. GM actually sold that engine's design to Land Rover, but kept the V6 for themselves. At that time the 3.8 was very unrefined.

Buick kept tinkering with it for many years. They eventually turbo charged it for the Regal Type T which evolved into the Grand National and Grand National X.

Over the course of the next 3 decades or so GM slowly refined the 3.8 to become a very efficient, silky smooth, refined engine. Multi point injection, counter rotating balance shafts, hydraulic mounts and other tricks made what would become the 3800...it designation in CC's...one of the best V6's ever made.

I'm a fan of the 3800's. Ever heard a cammed and tuned 3800? No hiding it's 90 degree V8 roots.

I'll dig up a video

 

https://youtu.be/Meat-VaF038

 

https://youtu.be/oDuTGG1Z2wI

 

@Iamraiderpower
@Jamesboy2233
@Plain Jane Taco

New Jersey did away with safety inspections in 2010 or so, but still requires emissions testing statewide. Unlike Pennsylvania, which requires yearly emissions testing and safety inspections, NJ requires only the emissions testing on a bi-annual basis. If I lived in a state that did not require safety or emissions testing, I would not complain, but if a state chooses to get rid of one I think it should be the emissions testing. All motor vehicles pollute, even hybrids! However, engines and exhaust systems have come such a long way in the last few decades that in my opinion, emissions testing is pointless.

Also, New Jersey emissions testing is done at state-run facilities that do not do any repairs. You go in, the testing is done, and you are in and out in 15-20 minutes. Supposedly you even get to stay in the vehicle while they do the testing! If you pass the test, then you get a new sticker and you are on your way. If you fail, then you are given a "rejection" sticker of sorts that allows you to drive the vehicle for a limited amount of time for the purpose of taking it to a shop and fixing the problem that caused it to fail.

In Pennsylvania, both emissions testing and safety inspections are done by the private facilities (mechanics, dealerships, etc). Basically, the very facilities that profit from fixing vehicles. In my experience, all the inspections I've dealt with have been honest. In one case, my dad's mechanic even looked the other way when I hit a curb and took a small chunk of rubber out of the sidewall on what was at the time a brand new Toyo tire, because I didn't feel like buying a new tire. However, some of my friends and other random people I've met have reported bringing their vehicles in for inspection assuming nothing was wrong, but end up getting taken to the cleaners over stupid shit like turn signal lights, wiper blades, and overly broad CHECK ENGINE light. I think the system in Pennsylvania is a conflict of interest.

There are people in Pennsylvania who slip through the cracks and get their unsafe vehicles through inspection because they "know somebody," but if you drive just across the state line into Jersey, the difference is like night and day. In NJ, you will see lots of vehicles driving around that never would have passed a safety inspection in Pennsylvania, but are totally legal in Jersey because they passed the emissions test...

This 1986 Chevrolet G30 Beauville van is a prime example. This van, 29 years old at the time, has a 350cid V8 with a 4-barrel carb, and the owner told me that despite it's numerous problems, it was faithfully reliable and passed emissions with flying colors every time! Also, I'd like to point out that this van's engine is designed in such a way that it will run on leaded gasoline!


April 18th, 2015:

Englishtown, New Jersey

 

And here's what became of the old 215 (3.5L) Buick V8.

https://youtu.be/B4kMAkQCvvo

 

A prime example of a late model "Jersey Shitbox," which probably wouldn't pass PA State Inspection. The hood is barely latched, the bumper is being held in place with tape, and the headlight is also being held in place with tape!


April 29th, 2017:

Englishtown, New Jersey

 

Gonna hit 81K on my way into work today!

 

Have you ever seen a Dakota convertible? Only made them in limited numbers for a couple of years. I used to see the occasional one back in the day. Can't say I've seen one in a few years.

 

I have quite a few pics of those!

 

Buying a subwoofer for my Tacoma tonight!

 

you should put it under the passenger seat

 

The one in my price range goes behind the seat.

Also, are you on Tundras.com?

 

The cook's son is having his 5th birthday party at the bar where I work (we're closed for normal business and the party is up in "flex space" area). He loves the Ninja Turtles, and his birthday cake reflects this...



FUN FACT: I am a huge TMNT fan too, especially the 1987 animated series!

 

negative sir