Originally I was planning on swapping an LQ4 into my 86 blazer, however, funds were redirected into a remodel (I can't complain, I got a theater room out of it). So I decided to freshen up the existing motor and have been finding some interesting things that leads me to believe that it definitely isn't the original motor.
1. The guy I bought it from, while friendly, seems to not have had a clue on this - heater hoses were both connected to an 'in' (radiator and water pump nipple), instead of an 'in' and an 'out' (intake and radiator for ex). He also told me the vacuum actuator controlling the vent door was bad, when all that needed to happen was to reconnect the vacuum line to the vacuum canister. So I don't think he would have done any of this gut work on the motor.
2. Double valve springs, did these ever come factory with double springs?
3. Timing gear instead of chain.
4. Head stamp of 3998993 which is either from a 70's SBC, or a Goodwrench crate motor. Also the inside of it was incredibly clean if it is original or even higher miles (inside of valve cover pulled was spotless, minus my grimy hand print in the middle)
5. Chevy dressings all over (valve covers, think it's these ones - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-141-108/reviews/, valve cover bolts, timing cover, and air cleaner.)
6. Edelbrock Performer RPM intake with 1406 carb.
7. Most importantly, NO LEAKS...AT ALL!! These older two piece rear mains I expect to at least have a little oil on the bottom, but this guy is clean! And there is oil in it, I checked and have consistently good oil psi.
8. Off idle this motor moves my heavy tires pretty well for a "stock" SBC just not into freeway speeds.
My reason for wanting to swap to an LS was performance, mileage, it would be badass, annndd I couldn't get the dang thing over 70mph. However, the more and more I dig into this motor, the more and more I'm starting to want to stick with old school, and the more I'm realizing that it was waaayyy poorly tuned and may just need a deep tune up, including carb rebuild/re-jet. Spark plug I pulled was BLACK (I just did the screws, but jets may need replacing still, will check plugs again), the header gaskets were leaking like a banshee and the exhaust looks like it was welded by a 12 year old who started welding a week ago. So this engine doesn't match the rest of the Blazer in build quality at all...
Pics to help me in my quest!
1. The guy I bought it from, while friendly, seems to not have had a clue on this - heater hoses were both connected to an 'in' (radiator and water pump nipple), instead of an 'in' and an 'out' (intake and radiator for ex). He also told me the vacuum actuator controlling the vent door was bad, when all that needed to happen was to reconnect the vacuum line to the vacuum canister. So I don't think he would have done any of this gut work on the motor.
2. Double valve springs, did these ever come factory with double springs?
3. Timing gear instead of chain.
4. Head stamp of 3998993 which is either from a 70's SBC, or a Goodwrench crate motor. Also the inside of it was incredibly clean if it is original or even higher miles (inside of valve cover pulled was spotless, minus my grimy hand print in the middle)
5. Chevy dressings all over (valve covers, think it's these ones - https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pro-141-108/reviews/, valve cover bolts, timing cover, and air cleaner.)
6. Edelbrock Performer RPM intake with 1406 carb.
7. Most importantly, NO LEAKS...AT ALL!! These older two piece rear mains I expect to at least have a little oil on the bottom, but this guy is clean! And there is oil in it, I checked and have consistently good oil psi.
8. Off idle this motor moves my heavy tires pretty well for a "stock" SBC just not into freeway speeds.
My reason for wanting to swap to an LS was performance, mileage, it would be badass, annndd I couldn't get the dang thing over 70mph. However, the more and more I dig into this motor, the more and more I'm starting to want to stick with old school, and the more I'm realizing that it was waaayyy poorly tuned and may just need a deep tune up, including carb rebuild/re-jet. Spark plug I pulled was BLACK (I just did the screws, but jets may need replacing still, will check plugs again), the header gaskets were leaking like a banshee and the exhaust looks like it was welded by a 12 year old who started welding a week ago. So this engine doesn't match the rest of the Blazer in build quality at all...
Pics to help me in my quest!
