95 Blazer Rough Idling

My 1995 Blazer 4x4 (4.3L V6 engine) started idling kind of rough about a week or so ago. I took it into my regular mechanic thinking it was a vacuum problem of some kind. He tells me 'ole faithful is on her last legs (say it ain't so!). I have 155k miles on her and it's been extremely well maintained and a mostly reliable vehicle. My mechanic tells me that my #4 and #6 cylinders are weak on compression (less than 90lbs) that my upper head gasket was probably the cause. He also said that if I replaced the upper gasket I should also replace the lower gasket - in other words, major engine overhaul! A friend of mine earlier today recommended that I use a torque wrench to tighten the head bolts. Said it would probably solve my problem.

Can anybody out there advise me as to: (1) will tightening the head bolts solve this problem, or (2) should I look into having upper and lower head gaskets replaced and does anyone have any idea as to what we're looking at cost-wise, ($1k,$2k,$3k,$?) or (3) should I just pay my last respects and start shopping for a new vehicle. I'd like to get at least another year or 20k miles out of her.

Thanks in advance

Dean
Henderson, NV

check this thread for suggestions;
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=453370
also, ur cpi injector/regulator or nut kit may be bad. to check this, take off the plastic cover on top of the intake manifold then remove the IMTV from the manifold. take a look down into the manifold with a flashlight and look for clean areas with a golden color and puddles of fuel. If the passenger side is clean, the fuel regulator is leaking. If the driver's side is clean, its the nut kit. Everything should be black if there are no leaks.

check this thread for suggestions;
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=453370
also, ur cpi injector/regulator or nut kit may be bad. to check this, take off the plastic cover on top of the intake manifold then remove the IMTV from the manifold. take a look down into the manifold with a flashlight and look for clean areas with a golden color and puddles of fuel. If the passenger side is clean, the fuel regulator is leaking. If the driver's side is clean, its the nut kit. Everything should be black if there are no leaks.

I've had the CPI replaced within the past 5 months so I know for sure that's not the problem. I trust my mechanic and believe him when he tells me the head gasket is the problem. I just want to know if anyone out there has ever had to replace head gaskets, or if tightening the head bolts might actually solve the problem. Thanks!

Its really hard to say if re-torking your heads will take care of the trouble. It mite for awhile, But I would just go and replace the head gasket now. It could cost more later if you wait. Additional machine work, possible burnt valve, ect. Its just like anything. You do what you got to do with what you have. $$$