Greetings,
I recently 'inherited' a 1988 S-10 Blazer, 4WD, 2.8l Automatic.
Trucks and 4WD are not my area of expertise, but I am intrigued at the possibilities. I would just like to solicit opinions in general, to decide if this thing is worth my time and effort.
Assuming everything is mechanically sound, can a 2.8l pull much of a trailer? I own a very small, older popup that weighs 700lbs empty. Don't carry much gear, so I can get by on short trips with a 3.0 liter Taurus, but the Blazer seems underpowered to me. Haven't driven it much tho. The GVW and all the details on empty and loaded are supposed to be on the driver's door post, but them have been peeled off and I don't have an owner's manual to check the weights and capacities.
On a more advanced note, would this vehicle be a happy recipient of a small block chev? I presume they were sold with that combo, but the engine compartment looks a little tight for the bigger engine. While I am throwing out ridiculous questions, would the existing transmission be happy married up to a small block V8?
Also, am I supposed to be able to choose any of the drive options with the motor running, and in park or neutral? With the engine lit, it grinds a bit going into High 4WD, and it grinds so much trying for low 4WD, that I can't bring myself to force it, and have shut it off to get it in. I don't have much experience with 4WD, and lacking an owner's manual, I have to ask for help so I don't screw it up.
I am in process of finding an owner's manual, so hopefully some of the more obvious questions won't have to appear here :-)
Thank you for any comments or opinions.
John