* Your mechanical skills: This is a complex repair requiring significant mechanical knowledge and experience. If you're not comfortable with engine work, it's best to take it to a mechanic.
* The extent of the damage: A blown head gasket can sometimes cause other damage, like warped cylinder heads or cracked engine blocks. If there's extensive damage beyond the gasket itself, the repair cost could approach or exceed the cost of a used engine. A compression test is crucial to assess the extent of the damage.
* The specific engine: The 1996 S10 came with several different engines (4.3L V6 was common). The complexity of the repair varies slightly between engines.
In short: Replacing the head gasket is *possible* and often *more economical* than a new engine, but it's a significant undertaking. It's strongly recommended you get a professional mechanic's assessment before deciding on a course of action. They can diagnose the problem accurately and give you a more precise cost estimate for repair versus replacement.
