As a continuation of an earlier topic http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/forum/...ic.php?t=71950 the Suburban fell through. The transmission fluid was burnt and I do not mess with burnt fluid

Then I was going to buy a 2003 Arctic Cat 400 4x4 ATV. That fell through as well. The person that I was going to buy if from had it in the shop for some electrical problems. That was ~3 weeks ago and I have heard nothing since. So the heck with it!

So Thursday last week, I was scrolling through Craigs list and I found a 96 Blazer that needed some engine work. Well, more like a lot of work, like a new crank and a few rods. I will post pics here later but the truck is beautiful It is the LT model, metallic green paint, light gray leather, remote start, XM and no leaks, cept' for the motor I drained the oil out if it yesterday and it looked like black metallic paint! I am ~4 blots and a few wiring harnesses away from pulling the motor. If you take 2 hammers and play the drums with them on a metal work bench, that'* what this engine sounded like when it idled My Project. 132,725 on the clock and plan on putting on a lot more

So, with all that I ask has anyone rebuilt one of these engines? Anything to look out for? As I understand it, the 4.3 is a 5.7 w/ 2 cylinders shaved off. I hope it'* an easy job

Only thing I know about the 4.3'* is around here they are in high demand. Since it was used widely there are more in need of a motor than motors available if you were looking for the swap out route. Many times you can spend as much or more rebuilding than simply swapping.

Well....I used to have a 94 blazer w/the 4.3l vortec and they seem to have the same LIM problems our bonne'* have....so look out 4 that. Other than that I have no idea what to tell ya? Good luck!!

they make kits to put 350'* in the eariler models but idk if they do for that year. know a guy with a um very healthy 400 infront of the stock 4l60e and he just finally blew the 10 bolt out of it launching on slicks with a 75 shot. 10.3 or so in a blazer is alright if your into that sort of thing

I'd like to keep it stock if at all possible.

As for swapping or rebuilding, I bought the truck to rebuild the motor. I have never been inside the "heart" of a vehicle and The Blazer was cheap enough and in nice enough shape to put the time, effort and money into.

383 should fit just fine, still just a 350 block. I have seen small block chevys swapped into '95 up blazers, and they almost seem to have more room under the hood then the earlier models like my old '91 4x4 *-10 blazer that I swapped in a small block.

If you go with a small block you will need new motor mounts, I would suggest a bigger radiator, and definatly an aftermarket trans cooler since there would be alot more heat under the hood.

if the blazer is a 4x4, you will also need a custom oil pan to fit around the front axle housing, I looked around and there are plenty of options from buying the whole pan to buying a weld in piece to make the stock oil pan from the 4.3 work on the 5.7.

you will also need an oil filter relocation kit if the stock adapter from the v6 won't fit onto the v8

there are also kits to make the stock fuel injection work with the small block.

you will definatly have some money wraped up in a project like this, but if you know how to turn some wrenches and do a little custom fabwork, you can save some money.

some kit pieces can be found at http://www.advanceadapters.com/

it may take some time and money, but the outcome is great, these things are crazy fast with a healhy v8, even a bone stock 350

If you decide to go this route and have a few questions, look me up, I will be glad to answer any questions that you might have if I know the answer, of course

Crash, I have edited the orginal post but I was kidding on the 383. The 4.3 uses enough gas as it is

More room on the newer Blazers BS! It'* not bad, but I can't sit in the engine bay like I can with my 91 Suburban

Right now, my biggest pain (so far) is the bolt at the top of the bell housing on the drivers side. I need to get the bolts out of the TC and unhook all the spaghetti on top of the engine, then out she comes!

I was not talking about more room in the newer *-10 blazers then the old full size k5 style blazers. I was just talking about the newer *-10 blazers vs the older ones (1983 up to 1994) trucks and blazers.

of course it is a no brainer that a suburban would have more room then an *-10, it is twice the size!!

that bolt is a pain, I always get it from the top with a wrench. it is a very slow process, only about 1/3 turn at a time, but it will come

either way, still watch out for the trans in this..... I would still get an aftermarket cooler for it, I have heard many many stories of them burning up and needing rebuilt, even with just the stock motor.

yeah, those don't get good mileage at all!! our 2002 *-10 zr2 got about 17 to 18 mpg not much better then a fullsize with a 350

lol

Yea, I know I need to post some pics

Crash, thanks for the tip, I worked on that bolt for 45 mins last night