2.8? or is there better ?

When it all comes down to it they're all about the same. Some S10's have not bad mileage, and others seem to drink the fuel up no matter what. And this is consistant with all motors

Unless you get a screaming deal on an S10 with a 2.2L 4 banger or a 2.8L v6 avoid them. They are 2 of Chevy's worst motors. Although the 2.8L can easily be replaced with a Comaro 3.4L which is a good motor.

And I would almost imagine that the 2.2L can be replaced with a 2.5L but there's a good chance that I'm wrong

how bad were the 2.2s? i only thought they had some head gasket problems.

The 2.2L heads, and head gaskets are their problems. Some are good and will last practicly forever, and then the next 5 will crack their heads, and burn the head gaskets every so often. I don't know if Chevy ever addressed this problem.

The 2.8L has a weak bottom end. Although this problem was addressed for the most part in 85 - 86. Their crankshaft journals and bearings were weak. Even the improvements didn't make them as durable as they should have been.
Again some still lasted forever without any problems.
I only run my 2.8L on synthetic oil hoping that it'll last with the weaker of the bottom ends.

The 2.5L appears to be the most durable S10 motor, although it's a little gutless.
And the 4.3L is pretty good.

I've heard that from the 80's to the early 90's, the 4.3 was one of the best engines made...

I've had great luck with 2.8L 25mpg.. I have two. Know several people with 250k + miles as well..

cause i am gettin a s-10 with no engine and lookin for a good engine

That's a good way to go. Good for you.

Let us know what you want to use the truck for, and we'll give you our honest opinion.
We all think a little differently, but you can weed out the good and the bad.
We can also tell you our reasoning behind everything.

If I was you I'd start a new thread called What motors best for me.
And do tell us what motor was in there origionally, and if the transmission is still in there and still good.

And Happy HoHo

I've heard that the 4.3L is good for a lot of highway travel, and the 2.8 or smaller is good for mostly town driving.

I got a 406cid blazer I'll sell you. but if your looking for fuel economy better stick with the 2.8/4.3 INJECTED V6's I get 18mpg with my 89'( although i did some bottom end work to make it lighter and put some stainless undercut valves too)
when I had my 2.8 I put an oil filter relocation kit on it which acted as a cooler (away from the motor) gave it an extra quart and a half of oil and laid a dowl type magnet between the filter and fender well. It finnally broke a piston.

I got a 406cid blazer I'll sell you.

I don't mean to sound like an ass Floyd, and I'm sure that this was more a statement than anything, but sales are against the forum guidelines.

If you do want to sell it though I'll give you a link to the buy and sell board. It's a free service to all members.

I like some of the ideas that you used on your rig. It must be a nice Blazer.

I'm trying to buy a 400+hp 406 for 1 of my rods from a friend of mine.
I just have to convince him to drop his 496 stroker into his 69 Chevelle, and the 572 stroker that he's building into his 72 Chevelle, then sell me his 406.
Hopefully with the NOS system included.

My '83 S-10 has the 2.8 with a 5spd

and when going down the road at 30-45 mph in 4th/5th gear, seems that the engine just idles, not exactly sure of the mpg, it lacks a trip meter :|

but it gets up and goes in 1st and 2nd gear :biggrin:

91 with a 2.8 five speed. Gets 28+ mpg every tank, runs smooth as silk, uses no oil now at 210K miles. Not a hot rod for sure but I'd buy a new one just like it if I could. Never turned a bolt on the drive train except for a clutch kit (knock on wood).

sorry bout that OverBoardProject. strange you can tell evry body what you want to buy but nobody what you want to sell. I guess it causes problems. Thanks for the heads up but it's allready posted there. I'll leave a PM