He's correct that the engine is GM, essentially.  Starting in '96 (I
think it was), Hombres were basically the same thing as the Chevy
S-10.  Other then some difference in the front of the vehicle, and a
little bit at the back, there's almost no difference - not anything
major anyway.  My '96 Hombre was made by UAW workers in Shreveport,
LA.  Before '96 they were entirely different vehicles.

As to those engines being "notorious" for that, just because I haven't
heard of that doesn't mean it isn't so, but I had my '96 until last
year, put over 107,000 miles on it, and sold it for a very nice price
due to the condition it was in.  I also know a number of people who
had either that or the Chevy S10, and have not heard that.  I have a
mechanic I trust completely, and he told me that that particular
engine was - in his long experience - not a particularly problematic
engine.  In fact, the only significant problem I ever had with the '96
had nothing at all to do with the engine.

I'd sure get a 2nd opinion!  Perhaps you could check with a Chevy
dealer if there's not an Isuzu dealership in the area - they'd at
least know that engine quite well.  I'm not sure if there's 100% parts
interchangeability between the Chevy and the Isuzu engines, but
they're mighty close if not.  Your mechanic may very well be on the
up-and-up, but for that kind of money, I'd want a solid 2nd opinion
(unless it was the mechanic I use - and that's a very rare mechanic).

And how well do you know that mechanic?  Any experience with him?  Did
you check the BBB if you weren't particularly experienced with him?

C.R.