Hi, I have a 95 Blazer that was hit a few months ago, I would really like to keep the motor (recently rebuilt) and trans (recently rebuilt as well). I haven't had the money to fix it and I was wondering if anyone knew if swapping the motor into an old style blazer (1st gen) was a reasonable project, as I have found a few 1st gens with no/blow motors really cheap but am struggling to find a 2nd gen in the same condition.

 

Depends on the year of the first gen if the trans will work or not. The engine just use the 4.3 intake and fuel injection that's correct for the body. Belt setup would be easier if it was for the year of the body but you can use it for the engine just expect for custom hoses and extending some wires for the alt.

This is only if you use a 1st gen that had a 4.3. Swapping a 4.3 for a 1.9, diesel 2.2, 2.0, 2.5, or 2.8 is a whole other ballgame. Its doable but don't expect that to be a weekend project.

 

The blocks are essentially the same (4.3) from the first 4.3 in the 80's, all the way up to the end, except for the balance shaft in the later 90's models, & the heads are completely different from '96 onward and require a different intake manifold bolt pattern (straight down instead of angled). For the belt run accessories, the stud holes are in the same locations, but the studs themselves may be different lengths.

I just swapped a '00 4.3 into my '89 using all the '89 accessories & mounts (alt., water pump, etc.) The bellhousing bolts on the '00 were metric vs. SAE for the '89, and the studs were much longer vs. the '89. Can't help you with the 2.8 or smaller engines - never owned one.

 

The 1.9, 2.0, and 2.2 are all isuzu based and metric.

The 2.5 is a pontiac and every one I've seen metric

The 2.8 was a chevy engine designed from the ground up. Anything after 86 is metric and I'm pretty sure anything after 84 is also, not sure on the first couple of years.


Doesn't matter since the trans on none of these will even bolt up to a 4.3.

 

All very helpful answers. I should have mentioned that I would also be keeping my 95 trans and swapping that to the 1st gen as well. That is if it is a feasible job. I understand that everything is possible, just wondering if I'm getting myself into a situation doing this that is going to make me a madman. Should I just wait and look for a 2nd gen donor car for my motor and trans instead?