I just bought a 2001 Blazer 4.3l Vortec V6. It overheats, but does not leak any coolant. It doesn't blow any smoke from the tailpipe either, although the oil on the dipstick is a solid brownish orange (it has the orange coolant). I'm hoping for a blown intake gasket, is this common for this vehicle? Also, is the 2001 4.3 Vortec compatible with my 1994 or 1989 4.3 Vortec motors, in case it's a cracked block or a warped or cracked head? Any input will be appreciated, thanks.

 

Sounds like a bad LIM (lower intake manifold) gasket. Very common failure on these engines.

No, your '01 is not compatible with the 94 or 89 motors. The blocks may be able to be swapped, but there are differences and the heads on up are quite different.

Get the Felpro gaskets with the metal cage around the sealing rings. The stock gasket cage can have an issue with the water in the coolant.

 

That's it, a gasket? I hope you're right, because I only paid $500 for it since the owner thought it had a cracked block. Will it be obvious to see the blowout in the gasket when apart? This way I can positively rule out any other possibilities. It looks alot more crowded in the engine compartment than my 94, is it a nightmare to do?