School me on S10 Blazers

[quikveedb2]

I was just given a first gen S10 Blazer this past weekend. Naturally it has its issues, but it runs & drives fine so my plan is to use it this winter when (if?) it snows and save the e30 for dryer, nicer days. It leaks oil like a champ from the drivers side of the motor, I'm inclined to think it's the remote oil filter adapter fittings, but I haven't dug into it since I drove it home enough to confirm. The passenger side window was also busted out at some point, but I'm planning to source one from a yard asap. It has the 2.8, which is possibly the most gutless motor I've ever applied throttle to, but in light of the fact that I'm driving about 5 miles round trip on my commute to work I think I can deal. Fwiw, it seems pretty damn easy to work on, and I've read tales of the 2.8 running well past 200k with proper care. Anyone else have/had one? Pic for teh views;

[JasonC]

Given to you! lucky you!!! I was wanting another one for a good while, but most of them where rusted up. For the oil leak check the valve cover and distibuter gaskets and the remote oil fiter adapeter since you said it has one. It is a gutless wonder lol, only thing that would pick it up somewhat is a throttle body off of a 4.3.. but you got to bore out the intake and swap the 2.8 injs into the 4.3 TB. I see it has 2wd offset wheels so they stick out, and i'm sure you heard the squeeky back window by now! I've had a few s series blazers, 85 4x4, 91 2wd (big mistake selling it), 94 4x4, 97 4x4. The 2.8s have been known to last with proper care. But most haven't been taken care of and the s 10 community frown upon them due to them being so gutless. But while you're at it. join up on http://www.s10forum.com/forum/index.php Both MR325 and I are on there and i think there are some other members on there too.

[iansane]

Great little rigs. By no means amazing but they are a workhorse. I actually just bought a '92 S10 2.8/5speed truck. Pretty fun parts hauler for a grand.

[JasonC]

And check the front end, like ball joints and all that good stuff. Cause they like to wear in the 4wd. I got lucky and mine was all replaced before i bought my truck.

[quikveedb2]

Thanks for the info, I'll definitely hop on the forum. What's a good source for parts, this is only my 2nd American car and I really don't know who is reputable. What are indicators of a worn front end? The car doesn't shake or pull at all.

[mikeedler]

I had an '82 GMC S15 longbed with a 5 speed and a 2.8. I put PAW heads on it with a 4bbl, allu. intake, and also a decent camshaft on a complete rebuild. Over here on the autobahn, I could get the speedo to wrap back around to the 15mph mark-- I'm sure it was doing atleast 135mph!


cool blazer.

[JasonC]

Thanks for the info, I'll definitely hop on the forum. What's a good source for parts, this is only my 2nd American car and I really don't know who is reputable. What are indicators of a worn front end? The car doesn't shake or pull at all.

Then it's probably a ok! As for parts, just go to your local napa/auto zone/pep boys/advance auto/etc etc...

I had an '82 GMC S15 longbed with a 5 speed and a 2.8. I put PAW heads on it with a 4bbl, allu. intake, and also a decent camshaft on a complete rebuild. Over here on the autobahn, I could get the speedo to wrap back around to the 15mph mark-- I'm sure it was doing atleast 135mph!


cool blazer.

The 2wd with 2.8 don't seem to run to bad. My grandfathers 82 with 4spd would scoot! It's the 4x4 that is a slug. I had a 83 S10 with 2.8 5spd. Had the fuel inj heads, holley 2Bbl, Crane Cam, and true dual exhaust. the thing still was a dog :(.

[delatlanta1281]

My first car. It served me well. I would buy a nice one in a heartbeat.

[randomsv650]

I had a couple 1st gen S10's, then a few later ones (still have a '99)

The oil leak is more than likely the oil lines to the remote adapter if its left side and spraying all over, I had to d a few of them, but who knows. Front end stuff like the others have said. Check frame for rust/cracks, they were as thin as Toyotas haha.

Great machine though. My truck has 150k on it and is going strong, been very reliable, but its got the 4.3L V6 in it. The 2.8 and 2.2's were gutless but got the job done.

[gearheadE30]

Wow, that one looks remarkably rust-free compared to what I'm used to seeing. Very nice.

[JasonC]

I was thinking, i don't recall 2.8 4x4s having remote oil filters? So it could be a leaky aftermarket unit.

[kway]

^ No, not from the factory, but the oil filter was such a bitch to get at that the aftermarket remote kits were a pretty common addition. My dad put one on his '84 that he bought new.

That was a cool little truck, midnight blue with blue cloth interior, five speed. It was still immaculate when he sold it in '87 and bought a new K5, which was a pig by comparison.

My '86 Cherokee had the GM 2.8 with 2 barrel carb and Chrysler 904 three speed tranny; last year of AMC Jeep so it had parts from all over. I used to bury the speedo on that thing, lol. Took a while, but it would get there eventually...

[GunMetalGrey]

I have a 93 blazer, with the 4.3l
Good truck, simple, 4wd is nice, nice to have the storage space and the towing ability!

[pharow]

I got a '99 LT 4x4. I love it in the winter time.

[lowsodium]

I had a 96 S10 truck. Pretty reliable for 1990's chevy. I put 175,000 miles on mine. Beat the heck out of that poor truck, driven hard and overloaded way too many times. Still ran great when I sold it.

Mine was the 4.3l. Reliable, but drank gas like a fish.