3 Kids, 1 Wife, and 1 Lonely Blazer

[DeepOceanStepside]

Awesome build!! Subscribed to see future progress

[C.I.Blazer]

Build looks great. Hope you are still at it!

[CJM72]

Originally Posted by C.I.Blazer

Build looks great. Hope you are still at it!

I'm still alive and still have the Blazer! Have some small updates to post. Been a busy summer with the kids, but I'm hoping to get it fired this winter. Wiring and coolant plumbing are the major items left to get it running!

[mkelly]

Great job so far. I am just starting almost the same build. I look forward to your updates and I will probably coming to for questions.

[DeadheadNM]

Nice work. Just saw this thread and jumping aboard to learn more about LS swaps into K trucks. How is the clearance between the firewall and the heads?

[CJM72]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Nice work. Just saw this thread and jumping aboard to learn more about LS swaps into K trucks. How is the clearance between the firewall and the heads?

I left my T-case in the stock position, used the Advanced Adapters kit to adapt to a 4l65e. I have about half an inch of clearance at the tightest spot on the firewall. It's just the corners of the heads. Any shorter combination of transmission and I think it would be right. Next clearance challenge is the oil pan to differential. I have worn out stock springs with an add-a-leaf and I probably only have 2 inches right now with the Dirty Dingo cross member. Will likely try to create more clearance by modifying the dirty Dingo cross member and putting a 2" lift in it. It's the cross member itself that would hit first.

More updates coming soon. Fuel system is done. Wiring and cooling systems now. Hoping to have it fired up soon!

[DeadheadNM]

Thank you for the details. I’ll stayed tuned. Am tempted by the retro LS motors assembled by Delmo speed shop or Don Hardy and these use adapters to accommodate stock style valve covers, which might contact the fire wall given the added height. Sliding forward sounds like would encroach further on the front diff with the DD xmember.

[Racer2172]

Nice work, great build.

[CJM72]

Wow, time flys. I'll try to post some update pictures and information soon. I still have my 72. Been on the road for 5-6 years, but only been a reliable rig the last 2-3!

- Got it on the road in 2021/22

- Blew up the trans pump in 2021 and lost the summer season, pulling that trans and getting it fixed and reinstalled.

- 2022 blew up trans pump again. (Dark days pulling the trans and transfer case for a second time not knowing why it was happening. was tempted to fix and sell around this time.)

- 2023 Fixed Trans....again: Finally figured out I had not properly shimmed the torqure converter. Installed a Billet pump, shimmed the TC and it's been rock solid since. Added a rear seat and some carpet in the rear. Installed Tough Country EZ Ride front springs

- 2024 installed Softopper top, and just enjoyed Blazer rides with the kids.

- 2025 Added factory style steering wheel, some minor dash electrical fixes. Didn't get to drive it as much as I wanted. Busy time with the kids.

- 2026 Just fully rebuilt my heater core. It was leaking, blower motor not working right. Found the inside and outside hvac boxes packed full or a mouse nest. Was probably there when I bought it (it's never been right). Replaced switch, blower motor, fixed some mixed up wiring at the fuse box, deleted AC evaporator (No AC compressor on my swap).

- Coming Soon: Headlight relay harness install, install remote windshield washer pump, replace brake master and diaphram with upgraded unit from Frank, fix oil gauge line leak, Install under dash air ducting, install glove box.

- Future: Get original style seats recovered, Install seats, original style seat belts, and carpet, rework and install roll bar, and more.

[Portland68]

Wow I am so happy to see this thread get bumped up, I'm doing much the same as you and am just about to drop my T case to start cleaning things up. I will also be going 4L6xE + the dirty dingo cross member, any idea how far forward you ended up mounting your cross member? I did buy the adjustable mounts and figured I would get the trans in and then hoist the motor in place to see where to drill like you did, but having an idea would sure make me feel better!

[CJM72]

I kept my Transfer Case and Transmission crossmember in the same place so I didn't have to mod any driveshafts. It move the engine forward roughly 2", but I wouldn't want it any further back. The firewall and brake diaphram clear, but I wouldn't want it tighter back to the firewall!

I can grab some pictures of the engine mount locations relative to the brake line bulkhead on the frame and the clearances around the motor.

Only thing to note is that the crossmember to front axle pumpkin is tight. It cleared with my saggy stock springs with a 1" add-a-leaf, but it always made me nervous. Even with a 2" lift it doesn't look great, though It never appears to have touched. I did eventually mod the the cross member for a little more clearance by welding in some support, removing a few off the aluminum spacers and trimming back the metal around the diff.

I've always been curious about using a 2nd gen front cross member that sort of goes around the pan a different way and possible using a low height oil pan for more clearance.

[Portland68]

Perfect - also planning on keeping my NP205 in the stock location so having an idea where you had to mount your crossmember will make me feel better when I go to mock it up in a few months! I'll be running the skyjacker 2.5" lift from MotorCityK5 so hopefully clearance isn't an issue, but I have a buddy that swears by using square body perches to get around the issue entirely.

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by Portland68

Wow I am so happy to see this thread get bumped up, I'm doing much the same as you and am just about to drop my T case to start cleaning things up. I will also be going 4L6xE + the dirty dingo cross member, any idea how far forward you ended up mounting your cross member? I did buy the adjustable mounts and figured I would get the trans in and then hoist the motor in place to see where to drill like you did, but having an idea would sure make me feel better!

I am not sure if you are aware, but there can be interference issues between the front driveshaft and the 4L60/65/70 transmissions. If you look through my old tutorial, there are pictures of what I had to do to the pan to gain enough clearance. With a little bit of a lift, it does alleviate some if not all of that interference. I was building a stock height vehicle and just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.

It took me a while to find it and due to them being old pictures and photo bucket. It’s not as clear as I would like it to be, but this is the post where I show the pan.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...98&postcount=2

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks for the update.

[CJM72]

Originally Posted by Thealien

I am not sure if you are aware, but there can be interference issues between the front driveshaft and the 4L60/65/70 transmissions. If you look through my old tutorial, there are pictures of what I had to do to the pan to gain enough clearance. With a little bit of a lift, it does alleviate some if not all of that interference. I was building a stock height vehicle and just wanted to make sure you were aware of that.

It took me a while to find it and due to them being old pictures and photo bucket. It’s not as clear as I would like it to be, but this is the post where I show the pan.

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...98&postcount=2

I did have to dent the corner of my trans oil pan in for clearance near the CV. I may have posted pictures of that. I’ll have to check.

[CJM72]

Originally Posted by Portland68

Perfect - also planning on keeping my NP205 in the stock location so having an idea where you had to mount your crossmember will make me feel better when I go to mock it up in a few months! I'll be running the skyjacker 2.5" lift from MotorCityK5 so hopefully clearance isn't an issue, but I have a buddy that swears by using square body perches to get around the issue entirely.

Here are some pics of my clearance and where the motor mount was bolted in.

[Portland68]

Thanks for the pictures! My build is slowly but surely coming along, going to pull the TC soon to clean it up and get the adapter installed. I’ll have to look into the shimming issue you had with the torque converter, I absolutely don’t want to pull anything a second time with as much fun as I’m having so far.

[jjzepplin]

I know I am late to the game but do you still have the headers?