Engine swap

I have an 87 full size chevy 2.0. this thing has every option for towing. Very solid van. Howeever the 4.6 is a dog with 116, 000 miles. It is tired. Barely get up hills.

I want to put in a 350 block, 383stroker that would have an rv cam. What would I run into adding the bigger engine?
My buddy and I decided that we could try a 350 dummy block to see if we could all to hook up. But maybe someone else has already done this and safe us a ton of time and energy.
Or is there a way to get the origanal block going well enough to pull my boat?


Can the 4.6 be built up enough to pull a 4000 lb boat.

I mean it can pull it but 55mph at best without stomping it to the floor.

Thanks for any and all advice and options,
chris

chris, u already have a 'small block' in the truck (283 cu. in.), so swapping in a 350 or 383 is easy. just make sure u upgrade the rest of your power train. your trany will probably fail from the extra power-so beef it up while the engine is out and getting built, and ADD A COOLER for towing (if u don't already have one), u should also beef up the cooling system. r u planning on using the stock single factory exhaust? upgrade to a freer (yes, that's how the word is spelled) flowing system, maybe duals-just don't go too big with duals, 2 1/4 to 2 1/2 should easily be good for 400HP. while u r upgrading everything, why look into a gear ratio change that will better suit towing (better low end pull), but still let u cruise on the highway. i istalled 3.73's in my slammed '78 full size, and while pulling my 22' car trailer, @ 65mph, i'm only spinning at just over 2400RPM (using a 700R4 for a trany).
here's a calculation u can use to help figure out the spped u want to be able to do, and the RPM that u want to spin, at that speed.

gear ratio x mph x 336
tire o.d.

= RPM @ speed


* add 200 RPM for auto. trans. slipage
hope this will help u out, good luck.

sorry chris, i failed to mention that the calculation used a 20% reduction for o.d. as they can vary, u should try to figure out what your truck has in it.

What kind of work is involved with an enging swap in a 91 G20? My old 4.3 seized at 147k and I'm looking to get a long block 4.3 reman put in. I hear some people say the engine has to be taken out via the side door? any info would be appreciated.

take the engine out the side door? don't think i've ever heard it done like that b4. u need 2 remove the rad support & grill from the truck 2 pull it out through the front, it's really tight, so have some patience. it'll make your life easier to also remove the throttle body, alternator & both brackets from the front of the engine (if u have A/C, tie it up out of the way,as high as possible), starter, and engine mounts (from the frame). it seems like a lot of work, but if the engine gets jammed coming out, it'll b even more work 2 get it free & clear.