CRACKED Head

My 1996 V6 4.3L 4x4 Chevy Blazer with 165K miles has sooooo many problems I'm not sure if it's worth it.  I have a cracked head plus it needs idle arms and a fuel pump.  I have already put in a new alternator, belt, tires, and brakes before I found out about the cracked head.  Should I just part it out and cut my losses or should I resurrect the beast? 

resurrect

quote:

ORIGINAL: WolfPack

resurrect

Seconded.

Okay I found a rebuilt 4.3L V6 Vortec for $350.
I know very little about cars or engines.  Is that a good price?

wow. does it come with pistons and valves?

on a serious note...that seems very low.

I have to question how you have determined that it has a cracked head...?  Basically, without pulling the heads, a cracked head and a head gasket failure will react the same.

Unfortunately, Blazers are big money pits.  However, in return you get a tough beast of a truck that has a strong tranny and motor with lots of torque and will last, and last, and last, and last, and last,........................................
 
I am in need of a motor and from what i've researched so far, a rebuilt motor generally runs around the 1300-1600 range and the famous Jasper ones are like 2500 or so and up.  I'd say that deal is too good to be true.

You're right the deal was too good to be true.  The entire engine is coming out tonight.  I'm blessed to have a father in law that is a nice guy and a great mechanic.  (he has rebuilt a '70 Chevelle that is just amazing).  He pulled the breather cover and thermostat off. Under the breather cover was water, none in the engine so he is thinking it is a cracked head.   So we are pulling everything tonight and checking everything.  While we it out we are doing everything, hopefully I'll learn a lot about the process while doing it.  Then we have to drop the tank and replace the fuel pump as well.  So yeah it is a money pit but I take my boys and the other Scouts camping so much I really love it. 

Thanks for the kind words bragdog.

Has anybody ever pulled a motor only out of a 96 blazer. Trouble were having is getting to the bolts on the back of the engine that bolts the trans to the motor. I don't want to pull the trans, but think I may need to loosen the trans mount and move it forward a few inchs to make room at the firewall.
Here's my 70 Chevelle
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/slow_rollin/Chevelle1.jpg

quote:

ORIGINAL: Slow Rollin

Thanks for the kind words bragdog.

Has anybody ever pulled a motor only out of a 96 blazer. Trouble were having is getting to the bolts on the back of the engine that bolts the trans to the motor. I don't want to pull the trans, but think I may need to loosen the trans mount and move it forward a few inchs to make room at the firewall.
Here's my 70 Chevelle
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/slow_rollin/Chevelle1.jpg

If you can, drop the rear of the tranny a bit, so you can get a long extension up there for the last two bolts. Or, try going in from above with a wrench..... Be prepared with the iodine and bandaids though.....

Your Chevelle is gorgeous.

My hands look like I was in a cat fight now, LOL
 
I am thinking about trying to slid the trans forward a few inches to help getting to them.
 
Thank you, alot of hard work went into the Chevelle, 17 months and many all nighters on weekends.

I can beleive it. I have done a couple complete restorations, and it is indeed a LOT of work. But, it is also a lot of fun. At least, it should be.

If you don't bleed on the job at least once, then you are not working hard enough.

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ORIGINAL: HeyYou

If you don't bleed on the job at least once, then you are not working hard enough.

Ah, youth.
I rarely bleed on the job any more. I had plenty of knuckle bisters over the years. Now I work smarter.

Haha...My hands can't wait for that day..

It seems like everytime my dad and I are out working on something on one of the cars, he always starts to say "alright now be careful its a knuckle buster"..and by the time he says "be care-".. I've busted a knuckle.

If you think Chevelle looks good you should here when he fires it up!  It will bring a tear to your eye and make your knees shake a bit.  Thanks for the tips and hints we'll let you know when it's out.
 

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hanr3

quote:

ORIGINAL: HeyYou

If you don't bleed on the job at least once, then you are not working hard enough.

Ah, youth.
I rarely bleed on the job any more. I had plenty of knuckle bisters over the years. Now I work smarter.

Youth?? Oh, that's a good one. I am 46 years old.... Been working on cars/trucks/bikes/thingswithwheels since I was 15. Did it for a living for a while. As I got older, I was less likely to sacrifice some blood to the Repair Gods, but, it still happened far to regularly for my tastes. Unfortunately, those days are done for me. Found out I have MS.... Peachy. Right side no longer works correctly, so, I am selling off most of my garage stuff..... Life sucks sometimes, but, we adapt. Mostly......

Brian, I understand you weren't looking for sympathy with that post, but I want to say I am very sorry to hear about your condition and wish you the best with God's help.

quote:

ORIGINAL: rriddle3

Brian, I understand you weren't looking for sympathy with that post, but I want to say I am very sorry to hear about your condition and wish you the best with God's help.

Thank you. Muchly appreciated. It is a new situation for me, and no, I am not looking for sympathy.I have pretty much adjusted to the "new" situation, and just looking for ways to cope. Fortunately, I have a VERY loving girlfriend, that is familiar with MS, having taken care of several folks that have it. I consider myself very fortunate to have her.

By the way, wasn't this a tech topic at one point?? How did we get sidetracked off into bloodloss, and assorted diseases?? MY fault? Oh. Ooops.

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ORIGINAL: HeyYou

By the way, wasn't this a tech topic at one point?? How did we get sidetracked off into bloodloss, and assorted diseases?? MY fault? Oh. Ooops.

Don't sweat it, I doubt that Kyle will slap our hands. We all wander now and then. 

Hey now, hey now!!  Nothin' to see here!!  Back to the original topic!!!

LOL

The resurrection is not near complete but at least now (with your help) we have everything off that is coming off and we are now waiting on parts to be delivered.  When my incredible father in law is finished helping me with this resurrection my Blazer will have new Rebuilt Heads, Gasket Kit, Water Temp Switch, Oil Pressure Switch, Motor Mount, Water Pump, Spark Plugs, Thermostat, + Battery Cable, Distributor Cap & Rotor, Oil Filter, Oil Filter Adapter Gaskets, Fuel Pump, Front end Alignment, not to mention the new tires, brakes in the last month, and a new alternator in the last 6 months. 
Next I'll do some work to the cosmetics of the restored beast. 
Thanks again for your help and advice.  God Bless

sounds like its been a project. Your going to love it once its all done.

post up some pics.