UPDATE AS OF APRIL 28TH
leak was the water pump 30 bucks
transmission problem was a bushing $5
replaced thermostat $6
It had a newish radiator and belt
next problems encountered :

valve cover gaskets needs replaced (leaks in the rear on right cover) why not replace both since its 13 bucks for both gaskets. $13

got the air conditioning running(loose ground),but it kills the battery,so either bad battery or some wiring problems.


now here's another issue. The engine smokes (white) pretty heavily when revved on. I did overfill the oil by about 1/4" if that much on the dipstick,so maybe that's burning off? or maybe its because the engines been sitting around.I have no idea on the mileage on the engine, he told me 120,000 miles but i dout it.body has 368,000 miles but looks great. I hope its not worn rings,the engine runs to well for that

 

Could be a head gasket, could be a hose, could be a freeze plug... You have to see where it is coming from.

 

I'd get ahold of the guy and either get your money back or get him to help you repair it.

 

Leaking water ultimately comes from the radiator. With the hood up, refill the radiator and see where the water is actually leaking from. Buying a '91 Blazer with a 4.3 for $550 that has a water leak isn't gettin ripped off. I don't know what the truck looks like or how many miles it has on it but fixing a water leak isn't the end of the world, even if it's a head gasket. You drove it home!!!! I know guys that have purchased parts trucks for that much and had to tow it. Lightin up man! Sounds like you got a good deal even if it needs some repair. I have the same year truck, that tranny is 18 years old, it's a 700r4 which is a great transmission but they don't last forever, next time you purchase a vehicle that is that old just remember what your gettin into. Give the tranny a service right off, it will always help.

 

It sounds to me like the front freeze plug finally corroded out. I had the same thing happen to mine. It is a pain to get the corroded plug out but can be done without lifting the engine, it is right by the motor mount. I used an expanding rubber plug which took about 2 minutes to install.

 

leak was the water pump 30 bucks
transmission problem was a bushing $5
replaced thermostat $6
It had a newish radiator and belt
next problems encountered :

valve cover gaskets needs replaced (leaks in the rear on right cover) why not replace both since its 13 bucks for both gaskets. $13

got the air conditioning running(loose ground),but it kills the battery,so either bad battery or some wiring problems.


now here's another issue. The engine smokes (white) pretty heavily when revved on. I did overfill the oil by about 1/4" if that much on the dipstick,so maybe that's burning off? or maybe its because the engines been sitting around.I have no idea on the mileage on the engine, he told me 120,000 miles but i dout it.body has 368,000 miles but looks great. I hope its not worn rings,the engine runs to well for that

 

White smoke usually means water (coolant). Blue smoke is typically oil.

 

so if its coolant......would it be a blown head gasket? or manifold?

 

Better run a coolant pressure test.

 

Wouldn't it smell like coolant though? Because it doesn't.