I have been looking for a replacement motor for my blazer. All the j yards tell me is that a 99 only swaps with a 99. Is this true or can I use anything close? I will be swapping most everything over to the newer motor and installing a new oil pump and water pump. So I am confused as to why that year is so special or have I received bad information?

 

All I can say is do you homework before you buy. I have a 2000 S-10 Blazer and I was told the same thing. I ended up picking up a 2000 Bravado motor only to find that it uses a different timing chain than my original motor. I'm experiencing a running issue that sends no codes but the scanner is showing that the motor is running 12 degrees retarded and should be running at 0 degrees.
After Q&A's for the past 4 weeks I learned the timing chain differences and to think I was going to put in a new one before installing the motor. I'm still not sure if this is the problem, but it sure would have been an easier job outside the engine bay. So yah, get the same year and model or do your homework.