This winter we had two ice storms which is unusual here. My 1999 Red Blazer was my first full 4.3l rebuild less than 3 yrs ago. Prior to the first freeze the radiator was leaking. I tried to save some money by ordering a radiator from Amazon. The radiator came so I removed the old leaker then opened the box containing one only to find a radiator for a 2.2l . Being totally different I put the old leaker back in and shipped the wrong one back.
This being the only vehicle I could drive I just kept adding water not wanting to be leaking expensive antifreeze which ingested can kill cats and dogs.It survived the first freeze. So finally the radiator came again but the stupid company sent the same exact wrong one again. Long story short a freeze plug popped out and this damage to the block. Crack goes from cylinder to coolant chamber and across. I pulled the motor and did a leak down test. This head was way worse. I pulled the head hoping the head had the damage but the block suffered.
[/IMG]. Sorry about the super size photo

 

Well, atleast u saved a cat or two.....lol expensive lesson learned!!!! U can get online discount codes for advance auto, which will save u a ton!!!!! like the possibility of having to replace your motor due to this type of situation.............

 

I have a second and third blazer here too. One my girlfriend drives. Hers was low on coolant but I topped it off with coolant before the freeze.. The other is a spare it had just water in it however the only thing that happened to it was the lower radiator hose was pushed off as well as the hose on top of the water pump. I opened the hood first thing to check the radiator and found the hose issues while adding water. It started OK but iit is overheating and I don't think the water is circulating. Appears to be a bad radiator. I 'm looking on the bright side of things. I've got a brand new one to put in it.