96 BLAZER 4.3 basket case

96 BLAZER 4.3 basket case

I have a problem, well actually several, but I’m hoping you guys can help with this one…
I have a 96 blazer with the 4.3. Kid who owns it threw a rod through the side of the block. We went to a junk yard and bought a core short block from a 93 (junk yard said it would work fine) both were “W” vin motors. (I had the junkyard look up the casting number from the block we were buying to verify it would work…)

Took the core to the machine shop and had it gone though. My mechanic then did a valve job on the heads from the 96. Then he went out of state for work… Long story short: now he says these parts wont work together with the blazer in question. Specifically he says the intake manifold wont bolt up right (1/4 in gap all around) and he also says there’s nowhere to drill/tap on the 93 block for the power steering pump bracket to attach.

So now we’re up around $1200 into rebuilding this beast and my mechanic says my best bet will be to “try and sell the rebuilt block and start from scratch…”

There has (I hope) to be a better way to get this kids rig out of my driveway (I thought about just pushing it down the street, but that’s just not right…)

Any ideas would be appreciated.

You have a couple of options. 1) You could finish the rebuild on the 93 and install it in the 96. 2) Go back to the boneyard and explain the situation. If they told you it would work and it doesn't, they need to get you the correct parts and make it right to your satisfaction. If they don't cooperate, you may end up in small claims court.

And finishing the rebuild on the 93 would entail what exactly? From digging around on the forums it looks like I'll need a set of heads from a 93 and a intake manifold? Is that about it?

REad the articles in "How To" section.
The 93 block will not seal reliably with th 96 timing cover, which houses the crank position sensor. There was no CPS in 93. Also, the 93 crankshaft will not be machined to accept the crank sensor wheel anyway.
Junkyard should have known that casting number does not mean it's the same if from a different year.
If you "finish rebuilding the 93", it will not run with the 96 ECM because of missing crank sensor. Also, the 96 intake manifold will not bolt to the 93 heads so how to control air/fuel. Maybe with a 93 intake and ECM?
.you have a mess.