Need Some Opinions

The iLL MethoD · 11-18-2009, 08:50 PM

Ok i have a 1990 s15 jimmy and i took it to a mechanic today and had him check it out..Well he found that i need to have my head gaskets replaced due to a coolint leak.He told me with parts and labor that it would cost around $1000 and he also said he was going to replace a few other things but i cant remember.The engine does have 140,000 miles in it and wanted to know if it would be a good idea to just replace the engine,he gets his engines from jasper and he said it would cost around $3500 to $4500 to have that done...Just wanted to know if you guys think it is work just repairing the head gaskets or just get a new engine thanks.

Deaths Shadow · 11-18-2009, 10:59 PM

I'm in the same boat as you. But insted of getting a jasper motor, I would check around at junk yards for a motor, that's what I'm doing.

01x.joyride · 11-18-2009, 11:25 PM

try craigslist for a motor locally...i had to buy a new transmission for my truck and i wound up finding a good used one with 70k miles on it that worked out just fine...i only paid 200 bucks for my tranny...

sounds like the few other things he would replace while doing your head gaskets are most likely the lower intake manifold gasket which you would appreciate him doing anyways with 140k on the clock, and maybe a sensor or 2 who knows...maybe its just header/exhaust manifold gaskets too...

The iLL MethoD · 11-19-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by 01x.joyride

try craigslist for a motor locally...i had to buy a new transmission for my truck and i wound up finding a good used one with 70k miles on it that worked out just fine...i only paid 200 bucks for my tranny...

sounds like the few other things he would replace while doing your head gaskets are most likely the lower intake manifold gasket which you would appreciate him doing anyways with 140k on the clock, and maybe a sensor or 2 who knows...maybe its just header/exhaust manifold gaskets too...

But is it worth replacing with the miles that i have on my engine?And now that i remember he was going to replace my quick connect plug as well so he was planning on chaning a few other things for me.He is a pretty good guy so i know hes not trying to rip me off or anything

01x.joyride · 11-19-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by The iLL MethoD

But is it worth replacing with the miles that i have on my engine?And now that i remember he was going to replace my quick connect plug as well so he was planning on chaning a few other things for me.He is a pretty good guy so i know hes not trying to rip me off or anything

to be honest if you check out the thread about "how many miles are on your 4.3" people are getting twice as many miles as you and more out of their 4.3s but i don't remember what yr motors they have...its up to you, either option you choose is a decent one but replacing the motor seems pricey...im building a motor for mine that costs that much except ill save money installing it myself...you could always go that route too? and also, my bro has 130k miles on his 99 with the 4.3...and he had a full tuneup done at a dealer and my dad went down there this summer and drove it while he was out to sea, said it ran stronger than ever!!

honestly myself id go the cheaper route and just replace what is necessary and maybe some other things to help it run better but thats just me, id rather save money than spend it...

SpiderDallas · 11-19-2009, 09:03 AM

Yeah same here. 4.3's are strong motors. Why replace it if it isn't broken. I would just do the head job and get it over with. Just make sure he uses a good head gasket. I would go felpro mls permatorque gaskets. You can get them for 30 dollars a piece at oreilleys. You then would have to buy the LIM gasket set just get the medal set a lot better then the plastic. I actually have a set of plastic ones in my toolbox right now. Also get the heads milled also to make sure you get the warpage out of them or you will have more problems. If I ever which I probably never sell my blazer I'm going to rebuild the motor I take out of my blazer. Just probably do the head gaskets and LIM gasket set I have in my toolbox. So I can put that back in if I sell it not going to leave a 6K+ motor in my blazer you would have to be crazy. I have only 400 to pay on the motor. It is just sitting there looking at me when I go to Kim Barrs(take me home please). I have a lot of stuff to put on the beast still.

Fannatick · 11-19-2009, 09:05 AM

I agree with 01x.joyride.

If you were to find another engine in a junk yard, who's to know how the engine was run and whether in a couple thousand miles you'll start leaking coolant again.

I'd say get the work done by the mechanic (you said you trusted him, thats the key), have him do the lower intake manifold gaskets as well (Fel-Pro set - $50) and anything else small that needs to get done (like a tune-up). This way you know you don't have to worry about them in the future and it should be cheaper overall.

I recently had my LIM gasket change (by ls1s10onari) and a tune-up and that was the best way to go. It's one less thing to worry about. Just make sure you get the upgraded LIM gaskets.

The iLL MethoD · 11-19-2009, 11:10 AM

I know you guys are saying get the fel pro brand,his shop is a napa shop and thats were he get his parts now i was checking there website(i may have to give him a call) but i dont see the brand you guys are speaking of...

SpiderDallas · 11-19-2009, 11:50 AM

If you have an oreilleys they carry fel pro gaskets. Just check there. The metal gasket set is the more expensive LIM kit.

Fannatick · 11-19-2009, 12:15 PM

I know they carry them at Autozone also.

The iLL MethoD · 11-19-2009, 01:24 PM

Ok thanks for all the help guys

11-18-2009, 08:50 PM	#1
The iLL MethoD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Denver, CO User is: OffLine	Need Some Opinions Ok i have a 1990 s15 jimmy and i took it to a mechanic today and had him check it out..Well he found that i need to have my head gaskets replaced due to a coolint leak.He told me with parts and labor that it would cost around $1000 and he also said he was going to replace a few other things but i cant remember.The engine does have 140,000 miles in it and wanted to know if it would be a good idea to just replace the engine,he gets his engines from jasper and he said it would cost around $3500 to $4500 to have that done...Just wanted to know if you guys think it is work just repairing the head gaskets or just get a new engine thanks.
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11-18-2009, 10:59 PM	#2
Deaths Shadow Registered User Age: 25 Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 164 Location: lowell, MI User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions I'm in the same boat as you. But insted of getting a jasper motor, I would check around at junk yards for a motor, that's what I'm doing.
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11-18-2009, 11:25 PM	#3
01x.joyride stupid regular cab!! Age: 26 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,474 Location: tacoma,wa User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions try craigslist for a motor locally...i had to buy a new transmission for my truck and i wound up finding a good used one with 70k miles on it that worked out just fine...i only paid 200 bucks for my tranny... sounds like the few other things he would replace while doing your head gaskets are most likely the lower intake manifold gasket which you would appreciate him doing anyways with 140k on the clock, and maybe a sensor or 2 who knows...maybe its just header/exhaust manifold gaskets too...
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-19-2009, 12:05 AM	#4
The iLL MethoD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Denver, CO User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions Quote: Originally Posted by 01x.joyride try craigslist for a motor locally...i had to buy a new transmission for my truck and i wound up finding a good used one with 70k miles on it that worked out just fine...i only paid 200 bucks for my tranny... sounds like the few other things he would replace while doing your head gaskets are most likely the lower intake manifold gasket which you would appreciate him doing anyways with 140k on the clock, and maybe a sensor or 2 who knows...maybe its just header/exhaust manifold gaskets too... But is it worth replacing with the miles that i have on my engine?And now that i remember he was going to replace my quick connect plug as well so he was planning on chaning a few other things for me.He is a pretty good guy so i know hes not trying to rip me off or anything
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-19-2009, 12:44 AM	#5
01x.joyride stupid regular cab!! Age: 26 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 1,474 Location: tacoma,wa User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions Quote: Originally Posted by The iLL MethoD But is it worth replacing with the miles that i have on my engine?And now that i remember he was going to replace my quick connect plug as well so he was planning on chaning a few other things for me.He is a pretty good guy so i know hes not trying to rip me off or anything to be honest if you check out the thread about "how many miles are on your 4.3" people are getting twice as many miles as you and more out of their 4.3s but i don't remember what yr motors they have...its up to you, either option you choose is a decent one but replacing the motor seems pricey...im building a motor for mine that costs that much except ill save money installing it myself...you could always go that route too? and also, my bro has 130k miles on his 99 with the 4.3...and he had a full tuneup done at a dealer and my dad went down there this summer and drove it while he was out to sea, said it ran stronger than ever!! honestly myself id go the cheaper route and just replace what is necessary and maybe some other things to help it run better but thats just me, id rather save money than spend it...
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-19-2009, 09:03 AM	#6
SpiderDallas Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: Dallas,TX User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions Yeah same here. 4.3's are strong motors. Why replace it if it isn't broken. I would just do the head job and get it over with. Just make sure he uses a good head gasket. I would go felpro mls permatorque gaskets. You can get them for 30 dollars a piece at oreilleys. You then would have to buy the LIM gasket set just get the medal set a lot better then the plastic. I actually have a set of plastic ones in my toolbox right now. Also get the heads milled also to make sure you get the warpage out of them or you will have more problems. If I ever which I probably never sell my blazer I'm going to rebuild the motor I take out of my blazer. Just probably do the head gaskets and LIM gasket set I have in my toolbox. So I can put that back in if I sell it not going to leave a 6K+ motor in my blazer you would have to be crazy. I have only 400 to pay on the motor. It is just sitting there looking at me when I go to Kim Barrs(take me home please). I have a lot of stuff to put on the beast still.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-19-2009, 09:05 AM	#7
Fannatick Registered User Age: 25 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,321 Location: User is: Online	Re: Need Some Opinions I agree with 01x.joyride. If you were to find another engine in a junk yard, who's to know how the engine was run and whether in a couple thousand miles you'll start leaking coolant again. I'd say get the work done by the mechanic (you said you trusted him, thats the key), have him do the lower intake manifold gaskets as well (Fel-Pro set - $50) and anything else small that needs to get done (like a tune-up). This way you know you don't have to worry about them in the future and it should be cheaper overall. I recently had my LIM gasket change (by ls1s10onari) and a tune-up and that was the best way to go. It's one less thing to worry about. Just make sure you get the upgraded LIM gaskets. Last edited by Fannatick : 11-19-2009 at 09:06 AM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-19-2009, 11:10 AM	#8
The iLL MethoD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Denver, CO User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions I know you guys are saying get the fel pro brand,his shop is a napa shop and thats were he get his parts now i was checking there website(i may have to give him a call) but i dont see the brand you guys are speaking of...
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-19-2009, 11:50 AM	#9
SpiderDallas Registered User Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 269 Location: Dallas,TX User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions If you have an oreilleys they carry fel pro gaskets. Just check there. The metal gasket set is the more expensive LIM kit.
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11-19-2009, 12:15 PM	#10
Fannatick Registered User Age: 25 Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,321 Location: User is: Online	Re: Need Some Opinions I know they carry them at Autozone also.
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11-19-2009, 01:24 PM	#11
The iLL MethoD Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 91 Location: Denver, CO User is: OffLine	Re: Need Some Opinions Ok thanks for all the help guys Last edited by The iLL MethoD : 11-19-2009 at 01:28 PM.
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