I have had three 4.3 V-6’s with no issues that would not have happened with a V-8.
I put 60K on the first one, and traded just because I wanted a new van. Put 111K on the ’94 Safari. Have 95K on a ’96 Sierra ½ Ton, 2WD extended cab. Uses no oil, no problems. I think it is a fine engine. I agree that the mileage is not much better than a small V-8, though.