New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options
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New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/9/2008 6:48:44 PM
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jimmyeatworld
Posts: 15
Joined: 2/6/2008
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I just picked up an EXTREMELY clean Red 1997 Jimmy SLS 4DR with 4x4 from a shop buddy of mine for $400. He bought it off the owner for $300 after it started knocking and she was going to send it to the junk yard after hearing the quote. I couldn't pass it up, so I gave him the money as I need a good daily driver and an SUV would make my family vacation to Texas for spring break next month a whole lot better.
Right now it knocks at idle and I am very familiar with rebuilding the 4.3 as I have done quite a few for his shop and as recently as yesterday. I was pricing out the rebuild and was also starting to steer towards doing a 98 Vortec 350 swap. My worry is that I will open a can of worms in doing the swap. I mean if it were just as easy as some of the threads have laid out...... why aren't there more of them?
My first option is to throw el-budget rebuild into it and just pull the motor, and make sure the rod bearings didnt spin. Yank the crank out and get it machined and slap new bearings in without even removing the heads or pistons, flush everything out and put new timing water pump etc on it. All that for about $450 and I am not into this engine too much to keep me from swapping later on if I really want to. I did this for a friend about 2 years ago on his blazer and so far no problems and he beats the snot out of it.
If I go with a Vortec 350 swap, I have to get the mounts, radiator, pcm retune, wire it up, modify the pan. All this for 1200-1500 depending on the 350 engine cost. Rebuilding the 4l60e would cost me nothing to put it to the specs to handle the new engine... so that I don't need to factor in.
If you were in my shoes and had only 2-3 days a week to work on it about 3-4 hours at a time? Do you think the swap could be done and reliable enough to drive from Chicago to South Texas before my trip late March?
If
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/9/2008 6:58:20 PM
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88_Blaze4x4
Posts: 11
Joined: 1/24/2008
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well if i were u id just do the budget rebuild like you were saying and after your trip then do the 350 swap. just to be on the safe side and a little more time just incase there are complications with the 350 swap.
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/9/2008 7:00:16 PM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14530
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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With that time span, a swap probably isn't in the cards. Too much uncertainty and not enough time for trouble shooting. I would do the budget rebuild.
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Kyle-
04 Rainier
My Restoration Projects
Please Do Not PM for Tech Help
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/10/2008 4:14:05 PM
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95_4door
Posts: 279
Joined: 9/16/2007
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I had the same dilema right before christmas. I blew my motor. I could have gotten a motor for mine and had it in for under $500. I opted to do the 350 swap. I had to wait till taxes to buy all the parts. I have bought most of them, and I've already spent $900 with the price of the motor, trans, and swap parts. In the end I'll have spent about $1300. In my opinion, it is going to be worth the extra money.
You should have enough time if you work on it every chance you get, but what if you don't get it done in time? If you have another vehicle that will work to get you to and from your vacation, then I would say go for it. If not, I don't know if I would chance it.
_____________________________
Bill
1995 Chevy Blazer
4WD 4 Door (soon to be 2wd)
Lifted Via Torsion Keys And Shackles (soon to be lowered)
31 x 10.5 Tires on Monte Carlo Rims (18" going back on soon)
v8 Swap
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/10/2008 5:29:54 PM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3482
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What is knocking in the current engine?
How pissed will the family be if you cancel the vacation?
Will the truck make Texas as it sits now?
If it'll mkae Texas as it sits now, collect the parts, and do the swap only if you have the time. Worst case scnereo you drive her as she sits now.
How important is it to have a V8?
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/12/2008 6:47:26 PM
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jimmyeatworld
Posts: 15
Joined: 2/6/2008
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I have a 2004 malibu that I can stuff them into, so another car isnt an issue.
I think I'm just going to rebuild the current motor. If I want a V8 later, I may just sell the Jimmy and get a K5 or something with a 350 already. I need something to tow my TA, and doing it in the Jimmy would probably be out of the question...... even with a v8.
Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it turns out. With the crappy weather here I'm begging for 4wd already.
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/13/2008 7:59:44 PM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3482
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My stock '00 S10-Blazer can tow 5,400 pounds. That should cover a car on a trailer.
Drop in that V8 and you wont have any issues with hills. Plus its the cool factor, and a smioke screen when you light em up.
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/14/2008 6:47:31 AM
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jimmyeatworld
Posts: 15
Joined: 2/6/2008
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The 2 of the 3 tracks I visit are pretty far (74 miles to Byron, 86 miles to Route 66). Lots of stop and go city driving or the first half of the trip to Route 66 or Byron.
I always thought it wasn't really a matter of power, but the weight.
My TA weighs in about 3400lbs or so
I figure the hauler weighs about 1200lbs give or take
Roughly about 4600lbs without tools or other things I usually take along.
The jimmy weighs in at about 5300lbs
I was always told never go over 3/4 of the total weight of the vehicle doing the towing? It may be able to do it, but it just isn't safe is what I have been told nearly my whole life. I may only tow it once or twice a year and mainly so I can bring the family along with me when daddy breaks the "loud green car"
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/19/2008 1:16:05 PM
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Jsqualls
Posts: 1
Joined: 2/19/2008
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I am in TX and need a new 4.3L for my 98 Blazer. You rebuillt your 4.3L, drive down to my buddys shop in Nacogdoches Tx, and we can swap your 4.3L into my Blazer. The only problem is all he has is built L92s, so we would need to figure out some way to fit one of those in your Jimmy for the ride home.
Seriously though, I am have to make the same decision. I don't really need a 350, but it sure would be nice to have one.
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 2/19/2008 8:45:02 PM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3482
Joined: 5/11/2005
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Rebuilding the 4.3 is just like rebuilding a 350. The 4.3 is a 350 with two pistons removed. 
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 3/3/2008 6:20:06 PM
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jimmyeatworld
Posts: 15
Joined: 2/6/2008
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I finally got around to pulling the motor on the thing. I ended up pulling the trans and transfer case just to have my friend run through them. Engagement was harsh, so it is better safe than sorry.
I pulled the motor apart today and found #3 and #6 rods spun and it was about to spin main #3 but I got lucky. Rods and pistons are on the way to the machinist to get a run through and I already tanked most of the parts like the pan, valve covers, intake etc. This weekend I'll run a flex hone through the cylinders, do the valve job on the heads and then reassemble everything.
The underside of the car is cherry. Doesnt look like it was driven winters much. It will need shocks though. 10 year old stock DeCarbon's made the thing feel like a boat when I pulled it around the shop.
I didn't have my camera this weekend, but I'll see if I can snap some shots of it while I reassemble it all and get it on the road.
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 3/4/2008 2:46:59 PM
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Hanr3
Wheels & Tire Moderator
Posts: 3482
Joined: 5/11/2005
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Cool.
Def get some pics.
I got a '93 4.3L block sitting in the garage I want to rebuild, just haven't gotten the time or the money for it yet.
_____________________________
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The Marines don't have that problem."
-President Ronald Reagan
'87 S10-Blazer - SOLD
'93 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - Sons DD, engine swap is done.
'00 S10-Blazer 4x4x4 - My
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 3/4/2008 6:05:08 PM
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jimmyeatworld
Posts: 15
Joined: 2/6/2008
Status: offline
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definately a meat and potatoes motor like an old SBC. Pretty refreshing.
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 3/6/2008 7:49:34 AM
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jimmyeatworld
Posts: 15
Joined: 2/6/2008
Status: offline
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Parts are on their way back, should be here this afternoon if he can get out of the shop today.
Needed a new crank
Recondition 2 rods that spun
Clean out ring groves on pistons
Bearing set (rod, main, cam)
Full Gasket Set
Timing set
Oil pump
Rings
Tomorrow I am going to hone the cylinders and install the cam bearings. Then begin assembling everything so i can hopefully start installing the motor Saturday afternoon when the shop closes and everyone gets out of my way. Should be up and running Saturday night and I'll hopefully remember the camera this time. This gives me about a week and a half of break in, which works out great because I drive about 300 miles per week.
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 3/6/2008 8:01:06 AM
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swartlkk
Posts: 14530
Joined: 5/1/2005
From: Waterloo, NY
Status: online
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Sounds like you've got it all laid out! I'm looking forward to the pictures!!
_____________________________
Kyle-
04 Rainier
My Restoration Projects
Please Do Not PM for Tech Help
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RE: New 97 4X4 4DR Jimmy, bad engine options - 3/9/2008 9:14:45 PM
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jimmyeatworld
Posts: 15
Joined: 2/6/2008
Status: offline
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Well, I didn't get a chance to do anything until Saturday afternoon. I spent most of the day pushing cars around the shop and getting all my parts in order.
I did flex hone the cylinders, flat stoned the deck and heads, tanked the block, installed the cam bearings, cam, balance shaft, crank, file fit the rings and installed on the pistons, pistons and rods into the engine, timing chain.
I took apart the intake mani and soaked the injection spider looking thing Friday night in STP fuel system cleaner (just the pintle sections) So I reassembled the everthing there and have it ready to go. Valve job didn't need to be done, so I just cleaned up the heads, lapped the valves, then put in the new seals. All I need to do is minor assembly work and I'm ready to drop in. Trans and transfer case are rebuilt and ready to go.
So far I have spent about 550 in parts, so I'm doing pretty good. Only thingI worry about is break in, but I can pile on the mileage before I go next weekend.
< Message edited by jimmyeatworld -- 3/9/2008 9:23:56 PM >
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