Planning

• Any major mechanical undertaking requires careful planning. Whether your TrailBlazer has the V6 or V8 engine will make little difference to the overall plan. Make sure you have all the right parts, enough space to lay out disassembled components for easy access and know exactly how to do the rebuild. You have two options at this point: rebuild the engine in the TrailBlazer (which can make access difficult but takes less space) or pull the engine out for total access but requires the space and substantial work surface to support the engine's weight.
  
  

Documentation

• Unless you have a photographic memory and can recall every single detail of the Chevy V-series engines, you'll want to make sure you have all the documentation needed for the rebuild. Engine specifications, parts lists, disassembly and assembly procedures, electrical wiring schematics, everything you can possibly find in writing about the engine should be on your workbench ready to go. Also, a reading stand to hold the material is a good idea. It's hard to hold a book and read with grease-covered hands.
  
  

Tools and Equipment

• One special tool you will need to perform the engine rebuild is a torque wrench. Resembling a socket wrench with a gauge attached, torque wrenches turn and tighten nuts and bolts a specified amount. This is important when reassembling the engine and attaching lifters, cam brackets, the header and other engine parts. Each component has a different torque setting so the bolt is attached just right. Also, if you decide to remove the TrailBlazer's engine, you will need an engine hoist. This is a simple device on wheels with a tall arm and winch that attaches to the engine block to lift it out of the engine bay. Engine hoists are available for rent from most industrial tool and equipment rental facilities.
  
  

Parts

• As part of your planning, you'll need to decide what parts on the engine need to be replaced and what needs to be repaired. You'll also need to make sure your parts are organized and available when needed. It's very frustrating to be ready to reassemble the V6's valve headers and realize you only have five lifters instead of six.
  
  

Workspace

• Even if you have a one-car garage and the Trailblazer barely fits in the door, you still have plenty of room to do the rebuild. A simple solution: remove the engine in the driveway, roll the engine hoist into the garage and perform the rebuild. Simple tables with 3/8-inch plywood surfaces and 2 x 4 stud legs are more than adequate worktables. A 4 x 8-foot sheet of plywood cut in half will make two 2 x 8 tables.