Finally got some work done on my 95 Blazer

[lvschevytrucks]

I purchased this blazer in early February, and slowly Ive been working on it, It had a light knock in the bottom end when I got it, but it came with another 4.3 with 70,000 miles on it, since it was already out and I need to replace it I deceided to have the heads done and replace the gaskets, I got the heads back the first of May, but its rained at least once everyday since I received them, (I dont have a garage so I have to work outside in the dirt)



I finally have the block reset into the body, and Ive installed the heads, but now its 100 degrees outside, so im not doing much right now but Ill update soon

[gchemist]

Dab the cylinder walls with oil. Ya don't want rust to start. Nice to work. Replace the rear seal while you have the engine out!!

[lvschevytrucks]

some more pictures of the work in progress









some parts before clean up......more to come

[lvschevytrucks]

Ive gotten a little further I finally have the heads on. I should have done it before I installed the engine, its a little tougher this way. most of the parts are totally cleaned Im trying to clean up the bottom of the air plemum a little more. it is really bad. once that is done Ill get the rest of it back together












someone remind me next time I want to do a project , how hard it is to do outside in the sandy grass, with no help...

[bigbadjohn84]

Originally Posted by lvschevytrucks

Ive gotten a little further I finally have the heads on. I should have done it before I installed the engine, its a little tougher this way. most of the parts are totally cleaned Im trying to clean up the bottom of the air plemum a little more. it is really bad. once that is done Ill get the rest of it back together


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someone remind me next time I want to do a project , how hard it is to do outside in the sandy grass, with no help...

Dude.. same here.. phew.. lol

[lvschevytrucks]

Originally Posted by lvschevytrucks

I was able to get the manifolds in by lifting the body....The are in place now, I have to bolt them down, but its getting to hot out there so im done till this evening or tomorrow morning

Well its finally Tomorrow morning, 20 days later...lol. I took some time to work on the Blazer before it got to hot or started to Rain.[/I]

Originally Posted by bigbadjohn84

Dude.. same here.. phew.. lol

not a lot done but every little bit helps to get it done,

[bigbadjohn84]

thats cool. my 94 AWD Bravada was the same way. man those spiders are a real pain. especially after takeing it apart a few HUNDRED times to get a leak fixed before you break down and buy the new injector assembly. lol

[lvschevytrucks]

Originally Posted by bigbadjohn84

thats cool. my 94 AWD Bravada was the same way. man those spiders are a real pain. especially after takeing it apart a few HUNDRED times to get a leak fixed before you break down and buy the new injector assembly. lol

this is my first time ever playin with one of these.....its been a real challenge, and now, I think im gonna have to do a heater core, it wasn't leaking before the engine change, but now the inlet and outlet tube move all over the place
so im sure im gonna have to change it out



my only guestion is now do i do it now or make sure this thing is gonna run, first

[lvschevytrucks]

now im up to date on this build thread







Tomorrow Im gonna try and get the intake finished (cleaned and installed) its been tough getting anything done... First I cant breath right anymore, and second Im finishing pulling parts off my 87 so I can sell them on another thread oh yea, im trying to find a job

[68C15]

so how do ya like that top bell housing bolt on the driver's side?! fun huh?

[lvschevytrucks]

Originally Posted by 68C15

so how do ya like that top bell housing bolt on the driver's side?! fun huh?

I lifed the body so it wasnt to bad.....other wise Id still be trying to get to it....I miss my full size

[dammitmitchell]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...&r=5238_104390

if you did a small trench around it, set the plastic excess ffom the bottom lip into it and either rock or sandbag over it and it will make your new garage water tight.. so it wont be so damn muddy after it rains..

good luck!

[gchemist]

Nice work!!

[lvschevytrucks]

Originally Posted by dammitmitchell

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...&r=5238_104390

if you did a small trench around it, set the plastic excess ffom the bottom lip into it and either rock or sandbag over it and it will make your new garage water tight.. so it wont be so damn muddy after it rains..

good luck!

That wouldn't work for me ...its too small, and besides I've found that when changing an engine in the dirt its easier to move the truck than to try to move and engine hoist

Originally Posted by gchemist

Nice work!!

thanks

[lvschevytrucks]

boy I guess I goofed up.....Now that the engine is in and the heads are on and torked I find that I can get the manfolds on....no room (I hate these small trucks for that reason) I quess Ill have to raise the body again and see if I can get clearence...If not im back to square one

[Arad68]

It might be easier to take the heads off, bolt the manifolds to the heads and put them back on.

[lvschevytrucks]

Originally Posted by Arad68

It might be easier to take the heads off, bolt the manifolds to the heads and put them back on.

I was thinking the same thing. but if I did that, would I have to replace the new head gaskets....they have already been torxed, but the engine has not started.

[Arad68]

How hard is it to get the engine back out?

I wouldn't want to replace the head gaskets either.

I am not looking forward to the day when I have to do any if these things to my S10.

[lvschevytrucks]

Originally Posted by Arad68

How hard is it to get the engine back out?

I wouldn't want to replace the head gaskets either.

I am not looking forward to the day when I have to do any if these things to my S10.

I was able to get the manifolds in by lifting the body....The are in place now, I have to bolt them down, but its getting to hot out there so im done till this evening or tomorrow morning

[spaseghost]

hmmm... i think i remember this post from when i was on s10forum.com. or am i just crazy?

[68C15]

if you are doubtfull of the heater core I would bypass it and run the engine first. I don't think you want to do it right now anyway. you have to remove the complete dash, the battery tray, and fender well. BTW, there is a stud-screw on the bottom of the evaporator case that goes into the heater case. it takes a E6 (female torx) wrench IIRC. I bought a set of ratcheting ones for just this reason.

[lvschevytrucks]

Originally Posted by spaseghost

hmmm... i think i remember this post from when i was on s10forum.com. or am i just crazy?

lol this is the only forum Im on except yesterday I joined the dodge intreped forum

Originally Posted by 68C15

if you are doubtfull of the heater core I would bypass it and run the engine first. I don't think you want to do it right now anyway. you have to remove the complete dash, the battery tray, and fender well. BTW, there is a stud-screw on the bottom of the evaporator case that goes into the heater case. it takes a E6 (female torx) wrench IIRC. I bought a set of ratcheting ones for just this reason.

thats was I was thinking, Ive bought the heater core (can alway take it back) but im ready if I need it. thanks for the info on the female torx, love having to tell momma that I need new tools,

[lvschevytrucks]

its finally cooled down outside so im ready to work on this Blazer again been way to hot, today its only getting into the low 80s but before I go out I want to post how I remove the AC unit without removing the AC clutch, ive seen some people have had a hard time doing this.

this is the whole unit with bracket removed from truck, all cleaned and ready to go back into my truck



First remove the three nuts from the back of the unit, you have to be able to move the unit around to get the bolts to slide past the clutch.








all three bolts have a flat side on them, this side must be next to the clutch, as the bolt slides up, the unit will still be hard to move because of the bushing (next pic) which are forced against the unit by the nut


I use a pry bar to move the unit around, you will have to move the unit for each bolt to come out ...but a little work and the unit will come out clutch and all. hope this helps

[lvschevytrucks]

I cant believe it......after all this work, I found out what was wrong with the engine that was in this blazer. I didnt have to do all this work


it turned out to be a two dollar plug.





I pulled a couple of plugs when I was checking as to why it was ticking, they were good, and the two I left were almost impossible to get to and the plugs were new so I moved on. BIG MISTAKE I couldnt find the problem so, I figured it was the bottom end of the engine I had the one that came with this Blazer so out it came. which is kind of cool as now I have one i can get rid of, and maybe buy the 87 Silverado I just found

[Arad68]

Originally Posted by lvschevytrucks

I cant believe it......after all this work, I found out what was wrong with the engine that was in this blazer. I didnt have to do all this work


it turned out to be a two dollar plug.

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I pulled a couple of plugs when I was checking as to why it was ticking, they were good, and the two I left were almost impossible to get to and the plugs were new so I moved on. BIG MISTAKE I couldnt find the problem so, I figured it was the bottom end of the engine I had the one that came with this Blazer so out it came. which is kind of cool as now I have one i can get rid of, and maybe buy the 87 Silverado I just found

I think this happens to all of us. I tore down the 455 in my Trans Am for this same exact problem, only to discover, after I had pulled the head, that the number 8 spark plug was fouled, causing a really nasty miss. It drove me nuts. I thought it was a bent or burned valve.
If you have ever worked on a 2nd gen F-body (Camaro or Firebird), you know that number eight is near impossible to get out and even harder to get back in.
Hang in there with your Blazer, It really is a great truck. My S-10 really steps up. Gas mileage is great.