My new indy repair shop is now on record as confirming the original diagnosis of 'a bad engine that cannot be repaired'. I was hoping ---maybe dreaming-- it was only a blown head gasket. It is now apparent that the 'S-10 pick up engine was run until it overheated causing severe internal damage. Now I am going to try to buy back my old 2003 Blazer engine and have it installed in my 'new' S-10 Pick Up. The engine has only 123,850 miles and has been well kept by my trusted mechanic= me. I will be happy if I can do that. The heart of my faithful Blazer will live on ! Remember both my old Blazer and new S-10 P.U. are the same year--2003. same 4.3L engine, same auto transmission, and 4 wheel drive. There are minor differences such as my Blazer had no cruise, power windows, and so on. This engine swap project will keep me busy the next few weeks.

 

I now have my old faithful 2003 Blazer as a 'salvage' so I can get the engine as a donor for my 'new to me' 2003 S-10 Pk Up truck. Things are falling into place. Now I just need to get a good engine swap to my Pk Up.by my mechanic. I am getting optimistic about this involved and complex project. It will be worth it in the end.

 

Nice! Progress is always good...

 

I am happy that I got a known good engine with only 123,800 miles that I have maintained with Nothing but Pennzoil full syn and a NAPA Gold aka Wix oil filter.at 5K OCI. On my 'new' S-10 Pk Up I see a K & N cold air intake installed by the previous owener and my first response is a shudder. The second thought is: HAS the previous owner washed and oiled the K & N filter element properly. I say probably for the first interval, and after that: NO.
When you buy a salvage yard engine, have you noticed they all have 60 K on them Isn't that a coincedence ? Maybe not.