This is a start of my 2.8 swap out of my platform.
1985 S-10 Blazer.
No it's not a F Body.
BUT.
This 1985 S-10 Blazer 2.8 drivetrain is the same as a F-body of that vintage.
I removed all the Blazer 2.8 exhaust manifolds as a single unit.
You MUST reuse the carb'd version exhaust system for smog legality.
These carbed cars have tons of hoses & such for exhaust smog (the A.I.R. tubes & divertor valves).
The fuel system will be modified as the 3.4 block DOES NOT HAVE FUEL PUMP PROVISION.
I plan on using an old Bosch Electric Fuel Pump from my Fuel Injected 1975 Opel Sport Wagon and a regulator to reduce the pressure to carb. I'm not sure where fuel pump will be mounted, yet (on frame).
I do know where it needs to go, tho.
The timing chain cover on my Blazer may be shot.
As my thermostat housing.
Water and aluminum & old hoses do damage to aluminum BIG TIME.
Old timing chain, swayed THREE SHEETS TO THE WIND!!
Looser than some women!

My balancer came apart in my hands.
I removed the OUTTER RING BY HAND, so bad its' condition!

The intake & carb & my old distributor will just be swapped onto the 3.4. Those items had fresh rebuilds prior to this engine swap.

I plan on passing smog, LEGALLY with this "creation" come Dec/Jan.

I have plans to install a 2.8 MPFI set up. Computer (of course!) too.
I MAY GET BRAVE and use the 1995 Intake set up.
This "plan" after I pass smog!

There is LOTS of room in my Blazer engine bay, unlike a F-Body!
BUT!
I had to remove the front wheels & lay car on frame on ground to get engine over the radiator support of my Blazer. Also needed to remove fan (blades) and fan shroud (top only) and radiator.

My tranny gets removed later this week. I have installed a floor shifter from a 1964 Impala (push down T handle) in a modified 1970 GTO bucket seat console. The console looks factory. I keep linkage to dash shift indicator (so I know what gear), planning on removing the column shifter lever. I use Fiero seats (mounted to the Blazer seat tracks-easy swap & perfect fit) with the speakers in the headrest hooked up to my stereo. My AC still is fully charged of R-12!

While engine was on engine hoist, I removed the remaining balancer, oil pan, flywheel (auto is my tranny), motor mounts, exhaust logs w/all hoses attached, water pump, timing cover and OIL filter attachment mount.
My old oil pan had exactly what I thought it would have, tons of debris, that clogged my oil pump screen, from swapping the heads for the blown head gasket.

Alot of stuff to clean, INLCUDING THE ENGINE BAY.
I will use gasket scrapper & EASY OFF OVEN CLEANER HEAVY DUTY!!
Try it ONCE to see why!!

Pics?
I still haven't had the time to figure out how to up load my pics from my new camera, yet!

NOT done yet so this will be an ongoing saga.
Then a wrap up tech thread.
I hope to be driving this by end of the month of May.

Remember 82-84 F Body owners, there is hope for performance & an inexpensive project, too.

I hope to get 211,500 miles from this swapped in engine, too!
That's how many miles the original 85 2.8 had until it died.
The 2.8 compression is 50 PSI each cylinder.
Can't wait to see what the 3.4 compression will be!


David, wanna help install the 3.4 engine & tranny?
It'll be "built" by the time you get here, ready for the 3.4 Long Block & 700R4 Tranny attached swap boogie!!

 

Man Karl , I wish you'd get your digi camera so we can see all these neato things you do man !

 

Hi Wayne.
I hope by next week, I can get the few moments to think about how to upload those pics.
I had made/installed that shifter/GTO console ages ago, maybe in 92 or 93. I've had this truck since 1989.
Just a little modifying, that's all.
BUT THE BEST are the Fiero seats.
I love those stereo head rest seats.

 

I went and read it again , I dont know why I didnt see that about your pics the first time I read it !

I saw a fiero when I pulled my radiator , I saw it and immediately thought "CHROME VALVE COVERS " . Should have known the engine wasn't in there

 

Wayne, the covers are cast aluminum, not chrome.
They do look trick.
I want to make a visit & get two pairs.
Firebird & the Blazer V-6.
I removed the engine by myself.
Wish I could have your help when I install the engine & tranny in the truck, tho
I think I'll do that as one unit.
Once I get everything over the radiator support, I reinstall tires (truck rests on frame to install/clear engine over rad support, truck sits so high) & then jack up truck to get the ground clearance angle & swing engine & tranny into place.
Yeah, to much fun!

 

Wish I could help !!! You know I love working on a car !
So what is the BL sitting on the ground ?

next I wanna see a 3.4 swap into a Vega !!!
then you can add another addition to your sig !

 

im gone for a cople days and karl does the carb 3.4 swap details for me.. its gonna be longed than i hoped to get the money to get the 3.4 (insurance company pulled out of the settlement at the last monent.. ).. time to actually start saving money (something i shouldve been doing)..


-mike (loomdog)

 

I nearly keeled over when I heard how much I get to lay down for buying this house I got.
Mike, you can make it work out for yourself.
I have to also.
We're gonna keep at it.


I'm find out $$ for my 3.4 next week.
I'm probably up to $800 for a 3.4 again, but....


So what is the BL sitting on the ground ?
Wayne, Explain, please

A Vega swap, not yet.
A long time from now.
I just got my other old Honda motorcycle engine.
I now have four motorcycle engines, one motorcycle.
I sell the smallest one & I keep the others for....

Wait until you REALLY LOVE your 60* V-6 & the used part supplies has started to dry up.
You'll be storing parts, too!
I'm gonna grab a distributor & carb one day from the yard, just for the spare parts.
I'll be VERY lucky if I can find this stuff.
I have federal stuff in CA. Next to impossible to find 49 state stuff out here. And yes, it is ever so different.

 

Karl , What is the Blazer sitting on sence the wheels are off of it ?
Makes me happy I have all these coils on my hand and distributor caps laying around now !

 

Good Luck with the swap Karl!

I wish My 4x4 blazer had turned out better, I guess I expected a bit much from the 3.4 of course It ran me 2k for the engine so.

:rockon:

 

If you can replace engine & trans. together - go for it. I musta dinged my flywheel putting mine in - had a vibration; had to replace the flywheel & torque converter. We're all slobbering on the keyboards, waiting for more information.

 

Wayne.
The S-10 Blazers are body on frame vehicles.
With an engine weight off front removed, it's way light on the frame (no damage and gentle lowering).
I'm slobbering on my back, too, to provide new details.
Yesterday was hot, I took it easy.
Installed the shifter cable for the floor shifter.
My interior carpet is original & perfect.
Took measurements, to be sure I locate the hole for the factory floor stick shift plate.
GM covers the shifter hole with a plate & screws (Thanks, GM!)
Two screws out, bend plate, slip thru cable. All holes under the GTO console I'm using. Next detail is welding cable bracket attachments inside cab & BE SURE, it's low enough for the down slope of the GTO console, from shifter to firewall.
The bracket I previously had welded onto the tranny, ages ago, is located on the "wrong side" of current column shifter attachment-didn't mock up/measure.
I'm hoping the tranny I get has the cable attachment bracket that's usable (from a late model 3rd gen Firebird).
And I'm assuming on that detail.
Then figuring out how to lower tranny & remove.
Couple of options & the easiest may be the simplest (down & out the side).
I agree that to install is one unit (engine & tranny).
Just have to figure out how to position vehicle (height & raise & lower during the one unit install), using the tools I got.
Once the vehicle had engine removed, I raised vehicle & reinstalled the wheels.
No it's not good to leave vehicle on frame.
Hurts suspension & steering linkage for one point.
Next is strip the carb engine for the core give away.
Can you say NEW AIR COMPRESSOR!!

I'm giving wrecking yard my S-10 original engine.
I keep my MPFI heads I installed. I reclaimed my original S-10 blazer engine heads in the old head pile at a friends place.
No room for storing engines for the future projects.
I also opened the box of my "new" 1976 Honda CB200 motorcycle engine w/5K original miles yesterday.
Came from Indiana to California. I promised the previous owner that I'd cruise the Pacific Coast Highway with his engine one day.
And soon

 

Quick update.
Today the tranny was removed.
To prep for the 3.4 swap transfer of 1985 good engine parts, I've cleaned lots of parts.
Ready to paint/detail stuff tomorrow.


Mechanical stuff-
With engine outta car-
To remove the intake, I had to remove the carb.
The intake studs on the heads are fragile. Be aware.
I loosened the temp sensors (in heads) used in the 1985 S-10 2.8 gauge setup.
I pulled off my good 2.8 1985 MPFI heads, I am giving as core my old S-10 Blazer heads & block.
I removed the distributor. Easy. One 15mm bolt & pull up.
The timing cover will be repaired (due to aluminum corrosion) at the hose area.
I need a new thermostat housing. My old one is destroyed!
I removed the 2.8 Blazer oil filter housing & sensor, also, to swap to the 3.4 block.

Next is ordering the 3.4, dressed to my specs (starter, fuel injection system, as many wires as possible attached to sensors, balancer, flywheel & motor mounts w/motor mount bolts, exhaust manifolds attached - NO ignition nor alternator nor AC compressor).

I'll let ya know how much my 3.4 will cost and prices on other 3.4's & milage per engine.

These 3.4 engine costs are for Los Angeles, FOB
Shipping, unless you pick up in LA, will cost extra.

 

Karl,

ware in L.A. is he? In reality it's not that far of a drive for me. It's only about what 350 - 400 miles (I'm in Modesto / Central valley)?

 

Alameda Corridor of Los Angeles.
Take 5 Freeway South to Los Angeles.
He is off the 10 Freeway at the Alameda Exit.

I'll be posting the 3.4 long block price options shortly, be patient.

 

I've been cleaning alot.
I had to remove 211,500 miles of lousy greasy leaky 2.8.
I used
Kerosene & paintbrush
Old Gunk chemicals I had from 1970's (don't ask)
Two cans of EASY OFF oven cleaner, HD, cold oven.
I have 4 chemical burns on one arm
Yeah that does sting!
BUT, it's all clean (er!), covered in Gloss Black Rustoleum Rust Tough. Firewall is body colored Silver. I still have the original grease markings from when the Blazer came down assembly line (PTB, paint, trim, body color)!
I will, one day, remove, the inner fenders (metal, not plastic & unboltable) to bead blast & repaint, later on.
After I'm on the road again and I'm repainting this S-10 Blazer the Silver & White.

Let me tell ya what I bought.
From a 1995 Camaro
3.4
all the stuff I want
-complete fuel injection system and wire harness (no ecm!)
-Water pump
-Exhaust manifolds
-Starter
-motor mounts & GM issued bolts
-Balancer & flywheel

I do not request
AC compressor
Alternator
Ignition system

$900, including tax and delivery (including delivery of my other 700R4 tranny I got from Dale in Wisconsin-THANKS DALE!!) to my door step.
I also get a 30 day warranty.
I drive by wrecking yard to "get warranty" (yard owner hears engine).
Next week, I get busy again.
Today I do my shopping list of parts to replace
1985 2.8 Blazer gasket set
Smog pump (it froze-a guy in Indiana ia giving me his from his 85 S-10. I bought 1972 Honda motorcycle engine & wheels & tires part from him!)
power steering pump (leaks)
motor mounts & tranny mounts
Radiator 2B repaired
New heater core
timing chain
Water pump (1985 S-10 Blazer style)

I think I'll paint this 3.4 block Chevy Orange (now black), reuse my Gloss Black Blazer valve covers for the contrast. Intake Manifold is bead blasted aluminun & brackets are bead blasted clean aluminum. Pullies, gloss black.
Should look nice, then.
Wish I could use Fiero Valve covers! No brackets for the Blazer required throttle linkage.
HEY, I'll buy them for the FI set up swap later on!
BITCHIN
I'll let ya know how much fun I'm having come next week on this swap.

This weekend I may bring home my 1970 LT-1 I've built.
Should I break it in, in the 1974 Corvette?
I'll be going from 200+ HP (135K original miles from 8/24/73 to present)
to
400+ HP & zero miles!

I'M BOOGIE-ING NOW:rockon:

 

Thanks to the Warm California Sun Shine, all my painted brackets and such will be looking great.
This Saturday 8 AM, I'm in EAST LA (Hola Gringo!).
Power steering pump being rebuit ($40)
I'm repairing 3 radiators (@$30/ea)
Onto purchasing a rebuilt Torque Convertor for the tranny ($40).
Then breakfast burrito on Whittier Blvd! watching the lowriders.
I'm going with a 3.4 block repainted Chevy Orange, bead blasted clean aluminum brackets and intake manifold, gloss black valve covers.
My 3.4 engine & tranny arrive later this week.
The 1995 3.4 FI stuff will be striped off within a day.
Then 3.4 block cleaning, Chevy Orange painting, installng the 1985 specific stuff.
By next week, I believe I'll be back on the road again.
Yesterday, the neighbor returns with his FRESHLY REPAINTED 1969 Charger RT 440 6 PAK, former Super Stock (1970's) winner.
OH THE GROUND RUMBLED!
And I'm installing only a 6!
Oh well. I hope to be bringing home my 1970 LT-1 engine, this weekend, too.
To be installed/broken in under the 1974 Corvette hood (going from 200HP to atleast 400hp!), while I restore my Former 1970's Super Stock Drag Racer, the 1967 RS/SS Camaro Convert 4-speed.

 

I thought I'd offer a quick update, before the plumber arrives to do some work.
Yet, because of this plumber, I am able to go forward on the 3.4 swap boogie.
My 3.4 arrived Friday, last week, along with the 700R4 tranny I got from Dale in Wisconsin .
The 3.4 came with (drum roll)----
THE COMPLETE IGNITION SYSTEM, crank sensor, ignition distributor 6 pak coils, wiring for it to EVERYTHING, almost complete wiring harness to the firewall connection.
Alternator
Power Steering pump
Engine bay motor mounts
Complete Fuel Injection system (throttle body, wiring attached) & the special 3.4 injectors.
Exhaust manifolds, attached to engine.
Complete "Y" pipe, ALL 2 1/2" inches from exhaust manifolds to the end of the INCLUDED factory CC.
ALL this stuff has ONLY 50,000 MILES ON IT & IT LOOKS BRAND NEW!!!
Know what "aged" California exhaust systems look like?
Try Brand New! Serious.
I am going to be using this 1995 "Y" pipe on my 1985 Firebird set up.

Plumber.

Guess who had a BIG PROPANE TORCH with him???????
He took 1/2 hour out of my home plumbing project to help me remove that block plug.
Yep, the auto parts store couldn't figure out what I was talking about, unless I brought them the plug.
Heating this plug, plumber used a pair of pliers to grab side as I jammed in a screwdriver to provide a twisting action, also.
Honest, two people, one stupid plug, engine outta car, cylinder head attached to engine.
NO, you do not remove the cylinder head to remove the plug.
You use a BIG TORCH AND LOTS OF TWO PEOPLE EFFORT!
I'm ready to start removing all accessories, very carefully.
I want this perfect 3.4 injection/ignition system on one of the two 3.4 powered rides, one day. I may actually pay the State of CA to let me swap in this 1995 3.4 stuff under my Blazer (it costs me $300 to certify my car for the privlidge of a bi-annual smog test, I hear).
First, I will strip this block, then paint it Chevy Orange. Valve covers are Gloss Black. Carb Intake is Aluminum (sucks I gotta remove this beautiful 3.4 stuff, oh well!)
Next swap on the side block stuff (motor mounts, oil filter housing (IF necessary, in my 85 2.8->3.4 Blazer swap. It was in the 1985 Firebird swap boogie).
Then, to the top, for the intake/ignition stuff swap.
Last, front timing chain area swap work/oil pan.

I am awaiting my parts list cost from a friend, so no true rush. I'm patient.

This time, I am NOT working with a recovering herion addict.

I will drop off the tranny for a freshening up, to handle the power of a 3.4.
I ALMOST really want to rebuild tranny myself.
BUT.. I need my tranny to be perfect, first time. I'll learn how to rebuild a tranny later on, when I swap a 700R4 behind my Wife's 1968 Camaro 250 6 Cylinder. I have purchased a freshly rebuilt locking torque convertor, too.
I'll pass another update later on. Plumber coming soon.
I own this guy a big thanks.
I'll keep ya posted, then a wrap up thread entailing details of a 1982-84 2.8 2-BBl carb to using the 3.4 long block.

Who makes LEGAL headers for 1993-1995 3.4 powered F-Bodies.

I now know why you 1990-92 3.1 guys bitch about your EGR valve stuff.
It does look expen$$ive to replace. My 1995 3.4 came with the intact EGR set up, too. I finally know what ya all mean.

 

Long time for an update.
Been busy with pool motors & home plumbing missions and Wifes' Girlfriends & Kids coming over.
Ahhh Suburbia
Today I took pictures of the 3.4 with everything on it, pointers to the crank sensor for the ignition system.
I misplaced my expensive 35mm SLR so I bought a pocket camera. OF course, I am staring at my digi camera!
What I did to ease this mission is decide I want to reinstall, one day, the 3.4 system on this engine in the Blazer.
I have labeled every electricl connection I had removed.
I removed the passenger side bracket that holds the AC Compressor & the Alternator and the EGR assembly.
Driver side, I already removed the power steering assembly, brackets. I left dangling the ignition coil pack, until today. Removed that as one unit, with plug wires intact.
I would have the entire wiring harness off, except the 1995 3.4 engine has a low oil sensor in the oil pan. I cannot easily remove that oil pan plug, yet. I'll wait until I lift the engine off the stand I have it on.
I plan on stripping the top intake, first.
Trying for one piece fuel injection system removal.
Then the 1995 3.4 exhaust manifolds get swapped for the 1985 items.
On the drivers side, I NEED NOT replace the oil filter housing. This housing has the one oil sensor, just like my 1985 2.8 had. One less thing to remove for swapping into my 1985 Blazer.
I have to remove the 1995 3.4 balancer and timing chain cover to
1. replace the chain (it has 50K miles on it, it's old & worn out, YES!)
2. swap on the old style timing chain cover so I can use the 1985 oil pan in this chassis.
Then reinstall the 1995 balancer (this 3.4 block is internally balanced! I also MUST use the 3.4 Flywheel! 2.8-3.1 is EXTERNALLY BALANCED DON'T MIX PARTS!!)
Still parts shopping for best prices.
ALOT of little things.
Replacing Blazer Heater core, also! OF COURSE during a heat wave!
When I get the necessary parts & gaskets, the swapping realy begins.
I already have my tranny, freshly rebuilt, on hand.
I also need remove the driveshaft. My U-joints are 211,500 originals.
An ounce of prevention.........
Til next time....

 

Thought I would offer a latest update.
Today I removed the balancer, 50,000 mile timing chain, water pump.
The original chain was very sloppy.
Preping 3.4 block for the older style timing chain cover and water pump to be re fitted.
At the same time of the front timing chain cover, I will be installing the older matching 85 2.8 Blazer oil pan.
I will be reusing the new style 3.4 balancer.
You cannot mix up 2.8/3.1 balancer & flywheels/flexplates.
Must use the matched upgrade 3.4 stuff.
Everything 2.8 old fits perfect.
Next is the upper intake swap.
Then prep block for it's coat of Chevy Orange.
Then old 85 Motor mounts & exhaust manifolds.

No headers yet. Not in the budget.