Hi All

I'm at a crossroads and I'd like your opinions.

I've got a 1997 Blazer LT 4dr 4wd 4.3 vortec. The engine is just rolling past 300K (kilometers - I'm in Canada) It's running rough and lacks power, I think I need to do something this summer.

First let me say I've done a pile of work on it in the last few years including:

All four shock absorbers and front springs.
New inner and outer tie rods
New upper and lower ball joints front.
ALL bushings the whole damn kit!
All new calipers, cylinders and brakes.

It drives like a dream right now because the suspension is all like new.

Do I change the engine or try to get a newer Blazer?

If I went out and got a 2005 would the suspension and brake parts transfer?

What would you do?

Jeff

 

Jeff, That's a tough one to even offer an opinion on. It's an LT model. What kind of shape is your leather in? How's the body? I would assume if she's losing her looks you wouldn't be considering a new motor. At that mileage, kilometerage? The transmission could be overhauled with the motor. Have you changed the fluid in your transfer case and differentials regularly? Tires? Exhaust? The cheapest route would be to determine exactly what's wrong with your engine. If it still has good compression an injector upgrade may be just what the doctor ordered. If not, how aboot a V-8? The suspension parts would vary depending on tow package/options from yours to the 05. They would require and "application search" on every part individually. Plus all that labor to transfer. However, GM continued to refine/improve blazers. If you like your 97, you'll love an 05. I loved my 91 so much I drove it for 20 years. It got so rusty that my battery fell out the hole in the fender. I got a 2000 2 years ago and the only time I miss the 91 is when I'm afraid my new one will get scratched. If you can afford a new one and don't want your 97 to turn into a money pit then go for it. Or you could repair and drive it until something that shouldn't fall off falls off. The best advantage you have now is time. Take a new one for a test drive. Look into options that newer models have that your 97 may not. Power moonroof, bose stereo, heated seats, stuff like that. My opinion, your situation is win/win. I hope this helps.

 

Thanks Rusty

The leather is in decent shape except for the spot on the drivers seat that pokes through on all of them. She doesn't look too bad for her age and I'm not one to care too much about small scratches dings or imperfections, as long as there are no major dents I'm good.

I guess I'll keep looking, I figure it's 3K either way, 2500 plus for a GM Goodwrench rebuilt engine or 3K for someone elses 2005 Blazer.

Time to hit Craigslist.

Jeff

 

here is how i look at decisions like this:

Compare what you know vs what you dont know.

you know what your truck needs (a motor)
you know the issues that your truck has, what it needs, and what has been done to it.

buying someone elses truck you dont know what has been done, if it has been taken care of, what issues it might have, or what you are diving off into it.

me? i would put a motor in mine.... i know that may not be the choice for everybody, but that is just my .02

 

This is a tough situation. I put a used motor in my 2000 last year after I lost oil pressure and killed a rod bearing. I got a used engine for under $400 delivered. It needed intake gaskets and it cost $500 to have it put in by a guy I know. With the engine, install and the parts it cost around $1200 to have an engine with 114k miles on it put in. That being said you may not need an engine just because you have high mileage. It could be a fuel or electrical issue. You could have it checked out and it may not be as bad as you think.

 

You said its running rough and lacks power. What makes you think that the engine needs to be replaced and its not just a part that needs to be replaced (cat, egr valve ect)

 

Thanks John and Rich

My assumption about the motor is based on the high mileage, I just figure that by 300K the head/valves, rings and bearings will all be worn. No matter what I do to it it's always going to be a high mileage engine.

I could do the spider for a few hundred, I could do the heads for 500-600 more, each will cost me a weekend in the garage instead of at the track. If I do both I'm into it for nearly a grand and I haven't touched the rings or bearings, and it'll still be an engine with 300K.

Right now the engine owes me absolutely nothing so now is the perfect time to get rid of it by either swapping an engine into this SUV or buying another one and moving all the suspension parts I bought last year.

Once I start working on the engine I'll be invested in it and it gets a lot harder to walk away or swap it out.

 

the engines are pretty solid. mine has survived blown intake gaskets filling the crankcase with coolant to the point it died on me driving home, freezing the block during winter (had a rad leak and was just filling with water, multiple times through deep water, and one time sucking in a little water. and i have 220k miles on mine... i think it would be worth the money to put a motor in it... but thats just my opinion.. i got my blazer crazy cheap and have had way more fun that i was expecting out of it.