Chevy's 3.8 V6, absolute worse engine for reliability. Had 1 in an S10, cracked intake, cracked block, new block and intake under warranty lasted a whopping 25,000 miles and happened again.. Fuel pump went out 4 times, broken valve spring on number 4 cylinder at 65,000 miles. it was a turd.
you didn't have a 3.8 in an s10 unless you installed it aftermarket. They only ever came with a 2.2 l4 or 4.3 v6 from 94-04. Before that was 1.9, 2.0, 2.5, 2.8, 4.3
That however sounds like a defective engine. Our 99 went 300k before it was sold still running and my 87 had a 4.3 installed that ran strong with me beating the shat out of it lol