Well, it is time to swap another engine into the blazer. I am curious what options I have as a replacement. I am not looking at going with a 350 or anything extravagent, but I would like to know what I will need to look for in an engine.
My blazer is a 95 4x4 auto LS "W" series. I understand it is an OBD1.5 and that comes with some issues. What kind of complications would I be facing to use lets say a 96+ 4.3 blazer engine. Will the obdII introduce new complications. Will switching the engine from cpi to tpi cause any issues in dropping the engine in?
I Know the engine I have now has some sort of bottom end damage, so could i just buy a low mileage short block and swap heads and intake plenum?
Personally, i rather part with the issues that were associated with the EGR and fuel "Nut kit" in the 95. I would like to find an engine that will bolt in identically and possible need me to swap ecu's and or harnes's.

Any help would b eappreciated and if you only plan to flame me please do not post on this thread.

I have searched several times and only seem to find info on v8 5.7 issues with the ecu having the added controls in the 95 4.3. If you know where I can gather the info need or a link to relevant info, please post that as well.
Thank you!

Would a 2000 "w" 4.3 blazer engine be much of a headache to install? What all would need to be done to complete the install?

If you have the ECM under the hood on top of the water coolant tank then you're in good shape...

You would need the following

96/97 ECM (for vin w)
96/97 Engine harness
and any 96-2002 engine (4.3 vin w)

After everything is dropped in, find a blazer (96/97) with pretty much the same options (specifically the gearing and engine) and get the vin #. Have the dealer program the ECM with that vin # (have helped with a couple of these)

Now, if your ECM is under the dash, the procedure is the same but you will also need to do the following...

Get the 96/97 body harness
96/97 BCM
96/97 air bag module

hmmn, and the alternative would simply be to swap the heads from my current engine to the new donor short block and then all is the same correct?

"If you have the ECM under the hood on top of the water coolant tank then you're in good shape...

You would need the following

96/97 ECM (for vin w)
96/97 Engine harness
and any 96-2002 engine (4.3 vin w)"

Would the harness from a '00 blazer be different? (engine harness that is)

I can get the ecu from a junk yard, so how would i determain the proper gearing of my trans vs the donor vehicles?
My other question would be this, I was under the impression that all of the 95+ blazers carried only the 4.3 vortec? I know the block i will be getting is a 4.3 vortec, so i have no worries there, but the gearing is of major concern to me.

I would really rather have the engine swapped out from the good old cpi. I appreciate all your help!

Yes... Harness is different from 98+ and then 2001+ but the engine is the same... Just change the the engine and the harness to a 96/97 vin w harness... As I said if you're going to stay with your CPI system then you will need to swap the heads, lower/upper intake over with a 96+ motor...

.
My blazer is a 95 4x4 auto LS "W" series. I understand it is an OBD1.5 and that comes with some issues. What kind of complications would I be facing to use lets say a 96+ 4.3 blazer engine. Will the obdII introduce new complications. Will switching the engine from cpi to tpi cause any issues in dropping the engine in?
I Know the engine I have now has some sort of bottom end damage, so could i just buy a low mileage short block and swap heads and intake plenum?
Personally, i rather part with the issues that were associated with the EGR and fuel "Nut kit" in the 95. I would like to find an engine that will bolt in identically and possible need me to swap ecu's and or harnes's.

!

The OBD1.5 has kept this truck on the road for 10 years. Sure it "has issues" but so does everything else. It works.
The nut kit- cpi issues are very common because these trucks are 10 years old and 100K miles. If you install new nut kit - cpi on the rebuild you will be fine for several years.
If you buy a short block from 94 or early 95, check the machining on the front of the crank to see if it will take the crank position sensor. These don't have the crank sensor, but many have the longer crank snout that you need for crank sensor. Also look for wide bosses on the timing cover flanges on front of the block. Block castings changed in 94-95 and you need the wider flanges to use the plastic timing cover with the crank sensor hole. If you get a late 95 or 96 on block it should have the right crank.
Read this:
http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar40047.htm

That is a great write up and a good find. Thank you!

I just purchased a 00 4.3 block from another 4x4 blazer.
I am going to try and just use that block complete to save some cash. I located a 97 harness and will try to find me a 97 ecm or a 96 ecm.

I just need to know now if I can use the 96-97 ecm without paying the dealer to "flash" it. What problems will i run into?

I also located my ecm and it is "thank God" on top of the coolant resivour.

you're in good shape then... YOU WILL HAVE TO REPROGRAM the ecm though...Every ecm has differences. Go to used car lots and look for similar models that have the gearing you need etc, the dealer will charge you 50-75 for the reflash..