The "In over my head" build thread

[1rippen6]

Fronts bolts on the rear seat should have been 7/16 fine, I'm guessing if you ran a tap in then they are coarse now.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by 1rippen6

Fronts bolts on the rear seat should have been 7/16 fine, I'm guessing if you ran a tap in then they are coarse now.

See i thought they might be fine so I bought both coarse and fine just to be sure - I started with a coarse thread chaser to clean up the treads and it went in rather smoothly. Not like I was cutting from fine to coarse...

[SeventyOne]

double post

[SeventyOne]

Loose Ends - 2/25

Yesterday I had a surprise opportunity to work from home. Work ended up being extremely slow and it ended up being one of the most productive days I've ever had working on the K5.

Rather than bore everyone with a storied description of everything I accomplished here's a massive list and some proof (photos )

-bolt in seat belts
-cut hole in carpet for shifter
-bolt on shifter + linkage (need longer screws to attach boot/trim ring)
-cut hole in carpet for high-beam switch grommet
-cram console in place (it's a VERY tight squeeze between the utility buckets but I'm determined to make it work. Also need hardware before making it permanent)
-swap out ignition and door lock cylinders so they all match
-install roll bar mounted quick release fire extinguisher...which i hope I never have to use...
-install wiring clips holding rear harness wiring to frame
-install diff breather hose for 14 bolt
-install new 15" stock style wheel + horn kit
-install radiator overflow to passenger fender
-fill radiator w/ fluid
-fill differentials and tcase w/ fluid

Here's some pics:











And the ever shortening punch list

PUNCH LIST
Under Dash
-Attached hidden antenna under dash
-Check carb gets to WOT with pedal travel
-Install glove box

Interior
-Screw down shifter boot trim ring (have screws ready now)
-Drill holes for center console (have screws ready now)
-Install door panels, door panel trim, arm rests, escutcheons

Final Wiring Touches
-Apply silicone and dielectric grease to fuse block + rear body connection

Misc
-Get exhaust
-Add wiper fluid, double check engine and trans fluid levels
-Install rear bumper + license plate bracket

If I Have Time
-Get windows tinted
-Install speakers
-Maybe a hydraboost setup?

[CG]

I sure like your seats. Whoever did them really did a nice job.

[psuedopimp]

I love your build! Very nice blazer. Good luck with the shake down trip this weekend.
And I really want a foot pedal for the high beam switch!

[simicrintz]

^^^^^^^^

x2!!

[SeventyOne]

Thanks guys. Yeah I thought the foot was just goofy/playful and I kept it from the first blazer I bought. If you missed it here was the story on that:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...&postcount=180

[jaros44sr]

Truck looks great good work, and good luck on first drive, hope all goes well for you

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Let's see that exhaust? Ready for burnouts yet?

[SeventyOne]

They're never quite done, are they?

Well got exhaust installed on Saturday (towed there and back) and upon arriving home I was sitting idling in the street in front of my house when the tow truck driver offered to air up a low tire I had. While this was happening my brother noticed steam coming from under hood. Immediately killed the engine. waiting a few mins, once the tow truck driver left, started it an put in into the driveway. Also upon startup when cold the engine wanted to surge to 2500 rpm, might have a vac leak. Soooo no test drive.

Sunday I went out to the garage and noticed a small leak from the top rad hose. So i sinched that up and then I wanted to noodle with the carb and see if I could get the cold start RPM settled. While tweaking the IMS and checking for leaks etc I started smelling coolant...Checked the temp gauge and it seemed normal, right in the middle, but then looked under the truck and there was a pretty steady stream/spray of coolant going all over

Anyways that's about where I got with it haha. Today I had the truck towed back to the body shop to address some issues in the paint I found while assembling the truck overt the past 6 months. While it's there I'm going to have the mechanic that works there replace the water pump, look into the high idle, and I've also asked him to install and Hydraboost system as the brakes were rather weak at best (carb doesnt pull much vacuum).

So anyways here's some pics!











PUNCH LIST
Under Dash
-Attached hidden antenna under dash
-Check carb gets to WOT with pedal travel

Interior
-Install door panels, door panel trim, arm rests, escutcheons (after paint corrections to door)
-Install glove box (after speaker installation)

Misc
-Add wiper fluid
-Install wipers (after cowl antenna hole gets shaved)
-Get windows tinted
-Install speakers, maybe small underseat sub/amp

[simicrintz]

Sounds like a few hiccups but nothing major; awesome looking rig!!

[SeventyOne]

Finishing Touches - 5/26/20

Alright so back in early March I was really pushing to have the K5 ready for my first goodguys show that was scheduled for late march. Well....plans change as the world changes haha.

Anyways while the truck was back at the body shop for paint corrections and to shave the antenna hole, I had the shop mechanic replace the water pump, put in a hydraboost set up, and we also determined I needed a higher stall torque converter. So I opted for a locally made custom stall (2400) unit.

Anyways I pushed the guys to have it ready for the long weekend and they delivered! I went down to the shop Friday afternoon and she was ready to go. Drove her 45+ miles home and she ran/drove like a champ! Temps were cool, steering was crisp at most speeds (but it likely needs a better alignment and I need to check/equalize tire pressures), accelerated nicely and braked effectively! It was a blast to drive!

But...and there's always a but right? When I pulled into the driveway and got out I noticed there were fresh drips and low and behold looking under the truck showed a steady leak coming from the T-case rear output seal.







Anyways parts are on order and should have it back on the road by end of the week. In the meantime there were odds and ends to take care of.

I installed these nice decorative wipers that will never get used lol:



And I wanted to show off these custom CNC cut badges :

[SeventyOne]

Then I got to work installing the door panels and arm rests on and I love the way it completes the look of the interior:





Got this harness all ready so my co-pilot is safe and sound:



I installed these sleek panels to cover the rad/core support gap:



One issue i'm having though is with my hatch latches. Only the driver side catches and I can't figure out why. Any advice on adjusting these?


PUNCH LIST
Under Dash
-Attached hidden antenna under dash
-Check carb gets to WOT with pedal travel
-Install AFR gauge, maybe get trans temp gauge too...

Interior
-Find audio shop to set up sound system
-Install glove box (after speaker installation)

Misc
-Add wiper fluid
-Get windows tinted
-Check and set tire pressure
-Get Alignment checked

[Ptjsk]

Man....at a loss for words! That Blazer looks incredible!

Congratulations on nearing completion!

Pat

[quadzero]

This rig looks like a million bucks! Great job on your workmanship.

[rsavage]

Beautiful!

[SeventyOne]

Thanks guys I really appreciate it!

[SeventyOne]

Golden Ratio - 5/31

Still waiting for the tcase seal (Arrives tomorrow) so instead of driving it I got out there with my daughter and installed an AFR gauge. Should help immensely dialing in the timing and getting the carb settings, solving hesitations/bogs etc.

Had lots of fun trying to explain to my 6yo daughter electricity, positive/power and negative/ground creative a loop with the battery. I showed her the optima battery and she looked at me confused and said, "is the battery inside there?" I assume she was picturing the Blazer running on some small AA batteries.

We also got into some details of what the AFR gauge actually is which led us to talking about combustion and how fire needs air and fuel to burn. I later demonstrated this with a lit candle which was then placed under a pint glass.

Anyways some advanced science learnin' for the little one but it was a fun day. Here's some pics of the install:

Surprisingly accessible location!


Some egregious undercarriage porn:


Ran the wiring through the same grommet as the rear light harness:


This spot seems to be the best for visibility:


Still need to affix the gauge under the dash but...here's my current idle AFR


I've been thinking that also getting a trans temp gauge would give me basically full instrumentation and it's a great way to monitor the health of the tranny. So once I get a dual gauge pod and gauge I'll screw them in in under the dash.

Still having an issue getting my hatch latch. Only the driver side catches and I can't figure out why. Will take any advice...

PUNCH LIST
Under Dash
-Attached hidden antenna under dash
-Check carb gets to WOT with pedal travel
-Get trans temp gauge and dual gauge pod

Interior
-Find audio shop to set up sound system
-Install glove box (after speaker installation)

Misc
-Add wiper fluid
-Get windows tinted
-Check and set tire pressure
-Get Alignment checked

[jaros44sr]

I put a trans temp. in mine the only problem was location of sensor mount in pan, did it 3 times, exhaust and drive shaft in the way, finally mounted forward section of the pan, and it cleared. so, I have 2 pan drain holes

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

I put a trans temp. in mine the only problem was location of sensor mount in pan, did it 3 times, exhaust and drive shaft in the way, finally mounted forward section of the pan, and it cleared. so, I have 2 pan drain holes

I might try to do a T off the outlet side of the cooler lines rather than drill into the pan. I JUST replaced the pan and all the fluid my foresight was lacking . We'll see.

[SeventyOne]

Finishing Touches - 7/10

It's been a good Month. Put closer to 400 miles on the Blazer! A few small problems have popped up and been addressed. Encountered a hard start issue after driving on the highway for 30 minutes, parking, and then leaving about an hour later. So I installed a carb spacer Edelbrock sells to fix the issue.

I also have a very small leak coming from one of my PS/Hydraboost lines. I have some parts on order to fix that soon.



I still have a latching issue with my passenger hatch latch that I need to solve but it's low on my priority list.

As mentioned before I also wanted to get a Trans temp gauge installed so I got the same style AEM gauge to match my AFR readout. They look good and I love knowing what's happening with crucial components!




Got these kickpanel speakers installed and a small low profile sub under the rear seat to help with the bass tones. BTW the Retrosound Long Beach head unit is really cool. Lots of features and adjustability!



And with that I could finally get my glove box in place. What a pain! I needed to trim a good 1/2" of cardboard from some of the edges to get the embedded captured threads to line up with the holes in my dash. But in the end it fit well and it completes the dash!

[SeventyOne]

And aside from that here's some nice shots of the Blazer driving around!











Lastly some other stuff I want to tackle soon:

PUNCH LIST
Interior
-Make custom rear cargo floor mat

Misc
-Get windows tinted
-Install caster shims
-Driveway alignment (check toe in and straighten steering wheel)
-Inspect and possibly replace passenger hatch latch
-Hi beam switch doesnt seem to work any more. Inspect.

[LT7A]

Wow, that is a beautiful rig. You had me at 4x4 Blazer and nearly lost me at fuzzy dice, haha. Just kidding. Love the truck, and like the minimal updates that added more power with the 383 and drivability with the 700r4. The combination of colors is very cool to me: the orange plus the ivory plus whatever color the carpet is brownish tan. Very cool. You used some wheel paint on your calipers that really matched the cast iron. I know there are many different cast iron paints out there but I like how close that looked to the real thing. Don't know if you remember what it was? No big deal either way. Great job, and well worth the wait.

[SeventyOne]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Wow, that is a beautiful rig. You had me at 4x4 Blazer and nearly lost me at fuzzy dice, haha. Just kidding. Love the truck, and like the minimal updates that added more power with the 383 and drivability with the 700r4. The combination of colors is very cool to me: the orange plus the ivory plus whatever color the carpet is brownish tan. Very cool. You used some wheel paint on your calipers that really matched the cast iron. I know there are many different cast iron paints out there but I like how close that looked to the real thing. Don't know if you remember what it was? No big deal either way. Great job, and well worth the wait.

Sheeeeet man - all my rides get the fuzzy dice treatment!

Appreciate the kind words, otherwise haha. The Caliper paint, honestly I painted them some 10 years ago. I likely picked it up at a local Ace hardware. My guess is it was some kind of Rustoleum high temp cast iron/grey.

On another note it's probably time for an update to my build as I've just about buttoned up an an Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 EFI installation. Maybe this weekend I'll post some pics.