Where to find V6 A.I.R. parts?

So, in the attempt to fix my exhaust and be one step closer to an inspection sticker, I started tearing off the exhaust manifolds on my 4.3L RCSB. I was ready for a fight getting those bolts out, so much that I left the fenders off from the previous repair, just so I could have clear access to the side of the engine.

Starting on the passenger side, I noticed I'd have to remove the A.I.R. tube from the front of the exhaust manifold (or, so I thought) to remove the entire manifold.

The joke is on me, lol, seeing as how I just didn't feel like paging through the service manual. I ended up destructively removing that A.I.R. tube (as opposed to doing it the right way), and now I'm in need of a new one. Yeah, a junkyard is likely my best bet... but I'd really rather new stuff.

Any ideas?

Also, I've read countless horror stories about people trying to remove exhaust manifold bolts from both GMT400's and GMT800's. I'm not even joking when I say that all the bolts on mine were finger tight and came out with zero issues. Haven't tried the drivers side yet but we'll see what that brings.

Telephone a GM dealer?

Look in the Dorman catalog?

They're most likely discontinued. You didn't specify a year so I'm not sure what you need exactly, but according to some quick research it looks like the '88-'93 4.3L A.I.R. tubes are no longer produced by GM.

Nemiga Parts will have the part numbers if you want to look for them, maybe someone has some for sale used on eBay.

https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/epc/chevrolet/

My bad! It's an 89.

Well sure enough, that link did the trick. I have a part number now so thanks for that. Now we play the waiting game.

Oh and just as a side bar, I've been starting to look into what an LS swap would take. The sheer mention of transplanting a non-period correct engine gives me a tight chest. It's a project I do NOT need right now, but man, the 5.3L Vortec in the 05 Silverado I had just never quit. Too bad they are impossible to find with a 6-speed.

Sooooooo the Wife and I braved the the 90°, 200% humidity weather today to look for a frikken air tube, or a better exhaust manifold. No dice. I'm confused: We found a 91 4.3L 5-speed W/T non AC. Pretty much the EXACT truck I have, only 2 years newer. No A.I.R. system whatsoever. It wasn't just missing... it wasn't equipped.

Found two other pre-OBDII 4.3L's, automatic, one with A/C, one without A/C. No A.I.R even equipped. WHY? What would have been the deciding factor whether A.I.R. was equipped or not?

I'm starting to think I'm better off just pulling the smog pump and plugging the ports on the manifolds. Wouldn't take much.

Emissions regulations in the area where the truck was sold.

My '88 K1500 5.7L has an air pump.

Look at your RPO codes. One of them is emissions-related. You're going to want to look for a truck with that matching RPO code.

That sticker on my junk is present, but unreadable.

So, the solution here is to take a glovebox door from another V6 that is non A.I.R. equipped, and rip my existing emmissions crap off

DeCaff2007 said:

That sticker on my junk is present, but unreadable.

So, the solution here is to take a glovebox door from another V6 that is non A.I.R. equipped, and rip my existing emmissions crap off

Click to expand...

Input your VIN into this website. 50/50 it can output a report of your RPO codes.

Thanks for that. Don't have the VIN handy but I'll give that a try first chance I get. @xXxPARAGONxXx, now I'm curious to see what it says!