hey guys, I have a '95 Blazer 4wd LS with the 4.3L v6, and recently it started having some slip in the trans. Specifically it wouldn't engage into gear beyond second, it was as if it was put into neutral and it just revved up. Some of you may remember me posting about a starting complication a few weeks earlier. At any rate, within a day of noticing the trans issue, I put some Lucas treatment in it, got on the highway, and the motor blew. One shop looked at it and said it had a spun bearing and his cost to rebuild the motor and trans which he said had a 3 and 4 clutch failure from what i described) would cost about $5500. I took it to another shop that is an Engine Exchange and they quoted it at $2640 total for the motor, and wanted to wait on the Trans until they got the motor done and could see what the trans was doing. If they did a bench job and rebuilt the trans. (no gears though) it is going to be $1300. Basically 4 grand total, with a 3 year, unlimited miliagewarranty. BUT, now there are all kinds of extras they are adding, such as a new radiator because they claim that with the spun bearings metal shavings could get into oil colling lines which go into the radiator, and if they don't replace it, there is a chance those shavings could reenter the motor and destroy it, so therefore they would not warranty it if I choose not to replace the radiator. Obviously at 4 grand, I am trying to save anyother costs possible, plus, the radiator is only about 6 months old as I replaced it a while back myself. Does the shavings in the cooling lines/radiator make sense to any of you? Any suggestions on doing the trans. cheaper? Also, would it be common for motor mounts to need to be replaced even if there was no lnocking or vibrations noticable ahead of time?

Thanks,

Nick

*Also, aren't there tranny coolant lines to the radiator, and not oil cooling lines?

 

Some of you may remember me posting about a starting complication a few weeks later. I meant earlier

 

If i were you instead of spending the money on the motor and trany, you should look for a different blazer i have seen many near me for that same price. The shop will probably try jurking you around any way. And you could part out the current blazer and use that money for some nice toys for the newer one. JMO


Thanks.

 

by pass the radiator oil cooler and put in and external oil cooler (that problem solved)

As for the motor, I would find a better shop or a buddy.

GM Crate motor um retail $2,600
GM Crate trany um retail $1,800

Used motor $300 to $600
Used trany $150 to $300

trany rebuild kit $180 (if you go for that over a used one)
Rering kit w/ rod and main bearings complete gaskets $260 to $385
if block is shot a block at a bone yard $75
Crank if shot bone yard $65

labor (depends on who does the work)

so for about 1/2 or less you can get it done or go buy another (newer) for that same $4,000 quote and part out the old.