You would need to swap intake manifold, and everything above it from the 98 engine to the 95 astro engine in order to use it. You'd need to use the 98 exhaust manifolds as well.

As far as the remote oil filter goes- you should just have to remove the stud that the oil filter screws onto from the astro engine, and then you should be able to bolt your cooler lines right on.

 

Need to swap over the oil pan and pick up tube as well , don't ya? And I think the knock sensor is different..Though I may be wrong...

Either way , sounds like fun to me... Good luck man!

 

I am not sure about Astros, but I though the 95 and the 96+ engines were completely different.

 

Enough different to make them not work in the other year vehicle. Oil pan mounting to block is different also, so no switching oil pans from the two engines.

OP really needs a vin W motor (8th digit in S/N) from a S10 or Blazer or Astro van or C/K pickup - 1996-2000. If he is willing to deal with a different knock sensor mounting (using an adapter), he can also use 2001-2005 vin W and Vin X motors - but if you end up with a late motor without EGR, you need to switch your early intake and exhaust manifolds onto the late motor. The 1998 PCM will want to see an EGR valve connected and functional.

You can use 2WD motor in a 4WD and vice versa if you switch oil pans and oil pumps.

Always change the LIM gaskets on these engines unless you are absolutely certain about the ones that are in the engine.

Not a good vehicle for a first time engine pull...... assuming 4WD, its about as difficult as it gets. Needs to get some experienced help or it will never get completed and running again.