B2600i rebuild or replace

Let me give you a brief background. I am one of those guys who can change oil, spark-plugs, brakes, water-pumps, alternators, rotors, etc. but who has never had an engine apart - but always kinda wanted to. My son recently gave me a '91 B2600i 4x4 when he got another truck. It had a blown head gasket which I tried to repair with a product which you pour in the radiator. It actually did a pretty good job with the gasket - no more clouds of steam when I start it up and, it no longer overheats after I replaced the water pump and radiator.. And it never had water in the oil, although it appears to be sucking oil into the combustion part of the engine - as I am getting more and more blue smoke. Also, it leaks oil out of the rear seal. In short, I know that it's days, maybe it's minutes, are numbered. So, as I need the little beauty to drive to and from my office at the church I pastor, I am looking at my options. I have priced long block rebuilds and Japanese second-hand engines and am lookiing at about $2600.00 or even a bit more before the dust settles. As I am semi-broke at the moment, I am wondering if there aren't other options. Just how hard are these engines to rebuild? Is it possible with a good manual for someone who is reasonably mechanically inclined but not too experienced to do so? Also, are there other engines that I could put in this one's place that would be more reliable and not be too terribly difficult to adapt? If either of these are a possibility, are there good manuals that you could recommend?

Thanks in advance for any advice and help you can give me.

Dan

u can do it!
if u can pull the engine & have a place 2 work on it
get a haynes or chiltons book ;the procedure is straight 4ward
u'll need a micrometer set & torque wrench
prbly need some parts checked by a machine shop

It might be a step up from replacing the water pump and such but you can do it. You already have some of the qualifications to get thru it like humility, patience, persistence, and the greatest mentor anyone could call on. The other tools you can rent, borrow or buy. Of course you can also go and get feedback from other mechanics in your congreation too!! Forget the stop leak type of fixes. If you abandon the idea and want to part it out, give me an email back.
Let go and let God.

B200i engines are much more powerful an relaible than what you would be replacing them with. Rebuild it. As posted above it is srraightforward and can be done by anyone with some mechanical aptitude and a place to do it.Tear it down, let a good machine shop hone and crosshatch the cylinders for you have a head shop do your valves and then reassemble. Should last 100k miles easy. BJ

go for it!!
the motor is pretty straight forward just get a chiltons repair manual.
haynes aren't so great but they have enough info to get the job done.