Just a little life left in her

[geoffinbc]

Well my trusty 2.8L in my Trooper is weak and dying, slowly. I checked compression today and the worst was 140 and the best was 150. Not too bad there. However cyl number 5 has water in it and the plug has coolant on it. The truck runs like crap when cold but the leak is small enough to allow proper running when hot since the water turns to steam. Obviously the leak will progress to the point I can't drive it or it locks up on me. So the question is. Fix the gasket or build the 3.1L High Torque motor I wanted to build since I got it? It is a bad time right now since it is winter and if it snows again I may have problems getting to work in my S-10.

Fixing it would be the cheap choice however the last owner broke off some of the exhaust manifold bolts and the manifolds do leak slightly which could mean the exhaust valves have suffered damage. The engine will not maintain oil pressure at hot idle on 30 weight I need to have 40 weight in all year long. So, although the cheap and quick option, changing gaskets may be a wasted effort.

If I rebuild my path will be to grab a 3.1L from a Rodeo and bore it out, put in a COMP 252 cam and bored out TBI intake with a 4.3L throttle body.

I guess the deciding factor will be my girlfriend since we just moved into our new house and although money is not tight I know it should be spent on other things right now and not my hobbies.

[ForcedFirebird]

How is it a hobby if you need your winter vehicle to get around? Seems to me we are in the same situation. My F150 blew a head gasket (or rings are shot) at 200k hard miles. So, the truck is worth some good money still and I can't replace it for what I can put a motor in it for (~$1500).

[geoffinbc]

Yea I cannot replace the Trooper for what I have invested. I mean I spent $850 on it and replaced some gaskets and it has lasted a year and was on some very long trips, pulled a trailer and went offroading several times. So it does not owe me any money. I do want to keep it. If I were to drive it until the engine dies I would never be able to sell it. So I will fix it it is just a matter of throwing a couple hundred at it now to make it last longer on the current motor or bite the bullet now and rebuild it. Talked to my girlfriend about it yesterday and shes on board so I will get a motor as soon as I get a chance. Can't do it this weekend because we have a house warming so maybe next week.

[Superdave]

Boost it.. LOL

[geoffinbc]

With the blown gasket?

[WrathOfSocrus]

With the blown gasket?

Sure! If you have 16 pounds of boost and 16 pounds of coolant pressure then it would bring the leak to a standstill.

Honestly I have had a couple vehicles that had the same issue with one cylinder. A quality stop leak used once a month was enough to squeak out another year of reliable transportation. I say you should go for it and find a cheap 3.1 to rebuild if u can get the leak to slow down a bit. It might not be worth just replacing the gasket, but then again if the leak only gets worse and you need the vehicle, it may be your only option.

[geoffinbc]

What stop leak stuff did you use? Did it cause and gunk buildup in the rad or heater core?

[Canyonero]

I've been helping a friend with a Trooper, bought it running rough - had a burn valve/cracked head. We swapped some freshened heads on and got it running, but it leaked coolant out the head gasket near #6 (the dead cyl). He ran some stop leak in there for a few hundred miles and he says it's slowed or stopped. Still probably not running 100% and he is used to how my 3.4L feels, so we picked up a 3.4L for it last friday. New project in my garage.

[geoffinbc]

Yea I got a lead on a nice 3.1L Rodeo. Guy says the fuel pump is dead and he does not want to keep the truck. He said the engine ran fine until the pump died. All I am after is a core so it should work fine for me. $250 for the works, oil pan to throttle body.

[Canyonero]

Score. I might do a quick rebuild on a 2.8L to get my black Trooper up and running. Not sure for what purpose exactly, I won't make any money selling it. Maybe an experimental or budget off-road project.

[geoffinbc]

Well its worth more running than dead if you do want to sell it. Just re ring it with a power drill ball hone and slap some bearings in her. She'll give you several more years of service.

[Canyonero]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. It's the truck I bought as parts to get the tranny, but it's in too good of shape to throw away.

[96ols60degree]

Wow.i did know that isuzu used a 2.8,but a 3.1? Why not just buy a 3.4 crate motor from g.m and go for the cubes? I mean if you dont have a lot of money right now(like alot of us don't!) then the answer is patch her up for now,but if you have the money,do it right this time that way you do not have to worry about that old 2.8 motor anymore. 3.4 is the way to go for that vehicle. No disrespect,but that thing must very underpowered with that 2.8.hey and if you have a 3.4,throw some bolt on's on it down the road,and look at the power,and mileage increase you will get.

[Canyonero]

Wow.i did know that isuzu used a 2.8,but a 3.1?

The 3.1L was used in the 91-92 Isuzu Rodeo. Also a TBI application exactly like the 2.8L.

[geoffinbc]

Wow.i did know that isuzu used a 2.8,but a 3.1? Why not just buy a 3.4 crate motor from g.m and go for the cubes? I mean if you dont have a lot of money right now(like alot of us don't!) then the answer is patch her up for now,but if you have the money,do it right this time that way you do not have to worry about that old 2.8 motor anymore. 3.4 is the way to go for that vehicle. No disrespect,but that thing must very underpowered with that 2.8.hey and if you have a 3.4,throw some bolt on's on it down the road,and look at the power,and mileage increase you will get.

I would use a 3.4L but it is not a perfect swap. The 3.4L is missing one engine mounting boss on each side of the motor. Plus the starter is on the wrong side and I would have to drill and tap to relocate it. When I am done with my 3.1L it will be an honest 3.2L which will only be 150CC smaller than a stock 3.4L. It is just easier to use and Isuzu block to avoid extra work. Plus I get the chance to use the parts I want like the cam, rockers, and larger cam bearings. I have also removed the casting flash from the internals of the block and gasket matched the heads and intake. Something you cannot do on a crate motor unless you take it apart and the buy new gaskets. Oh plus the crate has the wrong oil pan, oil pump pickup and timing cover.

Even with the aftermarket parts I bought I am $580 cheaper than the crate motor. That includes the used engine I bought and the full rebuild including the heads.