Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Brian I recall seeing a pic of the bracket you describe - Dwayne may be correct in that the difference is 2wd vs 4wd or maybe for the 72 MY the lines were changed. My green 72 blazer has the same set-up for the tank lines as my blue blazer. Brian do recall if your sending unit had a single outlet or two?

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

More slow progress. I'm dismantling and documenting everything at and forward from the cowl. I'll post some example pics of the various OEM screws used under the hood and other miscellaneous example pics.

For the bolt/screws I've only indicated the wrench size not pitch etc. but I did try to describe whether a captured washer was present, the number needed, and finish.

EDIT: To clarify, the caption on one photo below erroneously indicated that there are three bolts to secure ground straps to the rad support. In fact, there are only two straps to the rad support and another from the forward harness mounts to the RH fender.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

More pics

EDIT: To clarify, the bolts shown under "Upper Rad Support" affix the upper radiator brackets to the rad support itself.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Pile of spare bolts off to receive black phosphate plating together with a set of hood hinges and hood latches. Also having some spare parts clear zinc plated.

Pic of a complete set of AC brackets for a SBC WITH the CA A.I.R emissions brackets (2) included.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Wow Pete, wish I had this a month ago. This is absolutely awesome and a real asset. Thanks so much for taking the time to post all of this. I know it is time consuming.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Here are pics of the OEM battery cables for reference - included the attachment bolt with its star washer for the negative attachment at the RH cylinder head. The positive cable is affixed to the RH frame with two clamps: the more anterior clamp is rubberized, the rear clamp is all metal and had the bolt threads directed upward.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

You bet Jeff - sorry I couldn't have got to the disassembly sooner. I'll post up some more example pics later that detail some of the electrical and tube routing. Hope this helps others - it only took all of an hour before I started to forget where some of these bolts went :)

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

That is awesome!!! It will be a great reference when I start to put mine together. Thanks in advance, Dwayne.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Holy scmoly... The detail makes my head spin.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Great work Pete! I'll stop by after 3 today and visit.
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Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Nice one Pete ! I'll be watching

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

This is a great service Pete. Let me add my Kudos and Thanks.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Thanks guys for the good words and for following along. Here are some additional pics - sorry for the poor handwriting :)

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Harness grounds...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Hoses (upper rad is from my K1500 - OEM hose was on the Blazer but the p/n was too faded to photo)

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Zip ties and heater hose bracket at RH fender

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Steering damper at tie rod. Factory install for 1972 MY only. Measured from end of tie rod tube itself. Location of gear ratio tag at front differential. Misc other under hood pieces.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Gas pedal/cowl related...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Wiper arms...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Excavated the build code on the transmission: Y2B 08D . By my reading it's a Cleveland (Y) built TH350 from 1972 (2) February (B) eighth day (08) from the day shift (D). As such, the date fits for the original transmission and helps to support a February 1972 assembly month for the Blazer.

The engine block code is V0207TFJ and breaks down as follows: Flint (V) built in February (02) seventh day (07) 350 cu in for c/k pickup 4bbl application with automatic transmission (TFJ).

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Very educational photos you got there Pete.
Thanks for taking the time to lay everything out like that
I'll be saving these photos into my notes
I think others will be doing the same ...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Agree, very valuable info. Thanks!

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

I see another TOTY in the making.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

following this build

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Thanks for following along and all the good words!

Finally able to pull the motor and tranny - will have both rebuilt and reinstalled. I've kept them bolted together and am using the depicted Moto-Feet stand (USA made) with rubber casters to wheel them about the garage.

After pulling the Blazer to the concrete pad I realized that my tow hook was flipped the wrong direction - doesn't work as well that way :)

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Here's a summary photo of the clips used to affix the fuel/brake/charcoal can lines to the frame. Also included is an example of the harness clips used along the LH frame rail

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

The re-plated parts turned out well. Here are some examples. I've got the bumpers, trim strips, t-case shift handle and a few other parts in El Paso now for chrome plating.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

More

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

It seems the case that OEM inspection covers for the TH350 during at least the 72 model year were plastic. Here's an example - that removed from my blazer is the same.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Same on my '72

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Pete,
Project looks awesome!
I was wondering if you can send me contact information to the company that did the zinc plating for you.
I want to get a couple pieces of my own done. :-)
Thanks
Eric

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Thanks Eric! PM sent...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Baby steps.

A friend traveling to El Paso was gracious enough to transport some items for chrome plating, which were completed this week. Steve, one of the front bumpers is that from your ochre C30 truck. The rear panel trim and NP205 shift handle turned out nice.

Also go the Blazer off to the body shop. Anxious to see what's under the paint.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Looks good Pete. Seems like big steps to me.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Looking forward to watching the body work progress. I would love to have this specific color combo, and a highlander to boot. Great choice for a resto.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

I'm jumping on. Thanks for the link Pete lots of great info here.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Those bolts do look much better!

I will have to organize my ziploc bagged bolts and bite the bullet on this one. Thanks.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Thanks for the good words and for following along.

Since my last post the Blazer was sandblasted revealing sheet metal that really isn't in bad shape and essentially no bondo. The RH rear quarter had bondo that appeared to be an attempt at smoothing contour of the wheel opening and not related to damage repair.

The windshield frame has some tiny perforations along the gasket gutter at the top that will serve as access for a POR-15 treatment before getting welded over. Rust primarily involves the outer rockers, anterior inferior rear quarters, and the sides of the floor pan at the tail gate.

The wonky appearance of the LH B-pillar relates to a poor welding job when the rear quarter was replaced then some filler added to mask the malalignment. These spot welds have been drilled allowing the components to be mobilized and once re-welded should appear good as new.

The replacement LH rear quarter is a GM piece as evidenced by the captured nuts for use with a 1x wall top (I'm told that repro K5 quarters do not have the captured nuts for 1x wall mounting). Interestingly, the bed rail holes for a 2x wall top were not pre-drilled and only two were placed at the time of initial repair.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

I've decided to keep base (sport) mirrors as the Blazer was originally equipped though I much prefer the DF2 camper mirrors.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

The blaster warped my hood but compensated me for another hood I found locally that's straight and in original paint.

Am using NOS inner fenders and outer rockers. Remainder of patch pieces I've sourced from Wes @ Classic Heartbeat.