So, my Blazer's miles are going up. I have put 3k miles on it since I got it, and I think it may be in need of an engine and/or trans swap... soon. I am probably going to keep the 4.3 because my parents won't want to put a 350 in it. Is there a website where I could find a cheaper engine or transmission with either super low or no miles on it? Thanks.

 

How about rebuilding, instead? Or getting a 4.3 at a junkyard, and building that, while keeping it on the road in the meantime with the stock engine.

I was faced with the rebuild or replace dilemma about nine years ago on my '73. We decided to replace it with a GM crate 350. I wish now we could have rebuilt it instead, it would have been a better engine.

 

Ok... How exactly do you rebuild it? I never quite understood what that meant. I think my trans is going to go soon though, and it might take the engine with it.

 

^^^^^^ If you have to ask that ? then you should find a reputable engine builder for that part. But what cleburne said, find a used one and have it re-built while you can still drive yours. You don't want one from the junkyard to just throw in yours, you never know what you're getting or how it was maintained. I have 180k on my 2000 (that my son just wrecked) still was going strong. As long as yours has good oil pressure and doesn't use much oil, you shouldn't need a new one. Common problems on the 4.3 is oil leaks and coolant leaks from intake gaskets. The trans is another problem around 100-150k.

 

Yeah. Both my engine and trans have 183k. I want to get both of them rebuilt though just in case. I can feel my trans wanting to die though. It doesn't run like it used to. I want to work on cars when I grow up though, so I still want the process of rebuilding the engine explained to me haha

 

When I replaced my engine and transmission I went with a GM Remanufactured Longblock and a GM Remanufactured Transmission. I replaced the engine myself and had a transshop replace the transmission.

 

That is something that just can't be explained in a forum, you should go to school on it, get a book on it. I've been a mechanic all my life and can build motors and transmissions. Not enough space in this to explain how to, and what to look for and what is good and bad, specs, tolerances etc. And there is machine shop work too, things you can't do unless you have the right equipment. There is so much to learn, and I'm still learning after 30 years of starting into this. Depending on your age, once you finish high school, take classes on mechanics, get a job as an apprentice and learn as you work.

 

Yep. I am 16, so I am still in high school and have a lot to learn, and I am going to do just that.

 

Do this. Get on youtube and search for Ericthecarguy and brianmobile1

2 great channels with in depth how to videos etc. Ive learned alot from both.

 

Awesome!! Thanks