Well, found out today the the 96 blazer we've been letting the MIL use has blown either a head gasket or a head or something else. The oil pan is full of water. I blame this partially on GM. The orange coolant gelled bad, plugging the radiator twice now and subsequently the engine is overheated and shot.

Well, that was bad enough. I decided we'd let her use the 94Z while I tried to line up a new engine for the blazer. It hasn't been driven in a little over a week. I get in and hit the key and it won't start. It kinda puffs and struggles and chugs, but just won't start. WTF? It did this once before and we had it towed to a repair shop. When they came out and hit the key it fired right up. They couldn't figure out what coudl have caused the problem other than maybe condensation. I wonder ifits the opti. It was supposed to be new when I got the car less than 10k ago, but who knows.

Anyone know where I can get a 4.3 vortec at a decent price? Q?

Any ideas on the Z?

 

what year? call John at thortons auto, 1-800-852-8535 and tell him ken sent you.

 

The blazer? it's a 96

 

Johns has a 1999 or 2000 jimmy, give him a call also he might even take the fiero in on trade if you still have it.

 

thanks Ken. The fiero is gone but I'll still give him a call.

Update on the 94Z. I pulled the CAI and airfilter off and it fired up after a littl ebit of stuttering. sat there and ran smooth. Looks like the filter might be due for a cleaning (K&N), but it seems odd for this to be an intermittent problem.

Also, who has gotten good at changing plugs and wires on a stock engine? Or who knows a place that can do it at a decent price? I don't have a lift to do it myself.

 

Have you checked the opti on the 94? That could cause an intermitant problem. I have gotten pretty good @ changin plugs on the Fbodys.The Blazer you should be able to find a used engine eaisly or Rebild yours? Steven

 

I could do the plugs and wires for you for really cheap. I can change the plugs alone with stock manifolds in an hour flat. Wires take a little longer, but when I am done, they look just like the factory put them there, convoluted tubing in place and everything. None of that hacking crap. LMK.
Jacob

 

Excellent. Let me know the price. I could bring it up and give you a hand if you like too, unless you think I would just be in the way. In which case I'd just take the wife to a movie or something while you were working on it

 

How does this upcoming sunday sound? I could just as easily come there as you here. I can bring my ramps and tools, all I really need is a big chunk of cardboard to lay on and maybe a droplight if you've got one.

 

you're more than welcome to do it here if you like too. fair warning though, my garage is undr construction so all I have is a dirt driveway. I have some sheets of 4x8 plywood you can lay on though. LEt me know what you need for payment, so I can plan for it and get some plugs and wires in the mean time.

Want to fix a manifold exhaust leak while you're at it? lol

 

Warning taken, lol, plywood works for me. As for the exhaust leak, that would be better as a seperate job, or at least a seperate day. Just incase a bolt breaks off or something, things might take a little longer than expected. Not that I expect that, but just to be safe. I'll let you know about the price today, don't worry though, it'll be cheap.

 

whats the black thing mounted to the front of the engine just under the coil? It has a couple electrical connections going to it. And for some reason I am drawing a blank as to what it is...

It's about the size of a points distributor cap, for reference

 

airpump for your emissions.

 

Thanks. for some reason I thought the airpump was belt driven. I removed all that stuff on my last 94, but it's been about 2 or 3 years

how easy we forget... I must be getting old lol