87 S10 Blazer Motor Swap

[kf4dec]

My 87 S10 blazer has 220,000 miles on it. The transmission has been replaced with a rebuilt unit from transmission shop. Engine oil when ideling goes to about 20 psi at 55 mph goes to 40 psi. Engine is 2,8 V6 and wanting to replace with another engine. Not interested in huge power increase and want easiest swap possible. Want to go to next larger size or maybe one more size larger.

What would be good? Want only 6 cylinder.

[knucklebuster2]

The easiest swap would be another 2.8. Changing to any other motor would involve changes. The next closest motor would probably be a 4.3L but still would be work. Check out http://www.advanceadapters.com/newidea.html for help on swap kits. These will make things a little easier.

[jetfxr03]

I swapped the 2.8 liter engine in my '88 S10 Blazer 4X4 (5 spd) with a 3.4 liter GM crate engine. It is a bored & stroked 2.8 with almost the same power as a 4.3. I got mine from PACE for about $1800 with a 12 month warranty. It is intended as a replacement for a carb. 2.8 but I used it with the original fuel injection system. They sold me a new chip for the ECM so it would perform properly. It runs great! Better than new and the swap was a plug and play.

[Galaxi-99]

The 2.8 has a lot of miles on it..
If you want to keep it alive for now put in a new oil pump and that will get your oil pressure back up. How was the blow by ,does it smoke?

[kf4dec]

Originally Posted by Galaxi-99

The 2.8 has a lot of miles on it..
If you want to keep it alive for now put in a new oil pump and that will get your oil pressure back up. How was the blow by ,does it smoke?

To the best of my knowledge it does not smoke and does not use more than a quart of oil in about 3-4 K miles. But, of course, power is rather low with an automatic trans. Oil pressure is only an issue when engine is warm and idleing. Original engine and original owner.

I hav ethought about putting in a new oil pump.

Thanks for the information.

[wehswarriorS-10]

if u got a 4.3 to put in it, u would have to buy a new transmission becuase of the different bellhousings, ur best bet would be a 3.4, or a rebuilt 2.8, or if u wanted to go all out with a 2.8 get a 2.8 multiportFI, u would ahve to have a new wirin harness and computer and such, but ur best bet would probably be just to get ya a rebuilt 2.8

[Blazing Rice]

Get the 3.4 crate motor if you intend on keeping the truck. As said earlier, it's a drop in and plug and play. Price isn't too bad either. Your trans will bolt right up. Whatever you do, don't get another 2.8. If you really do get the urge to go all out, get a 350 motor to swap. The swap isn't as hard as it sounds with the right stuff.

[knucklebuster2]

Just for the record, your oil pressure is fine. The rule of thumb is 10 lbs per 1000 rpms minimum. At idle, you are spinning no more than 800 rpms, 20lbs is plenty. At 55 mph, you are probably pushing about 2000- 2300 rpms, 40 lbs is plenty. Too much oil pressure is not good either.........