70 Blazer Frame Off

[IronCanine]

I was expecting a bracket and compressor position like RackMan's pictured below. I guess I'll be on the phone to Vintage Air tomorrow.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

You might want to try giving Classic Auto Air a call. I've been talking with them and they seem very knowledgable and know their stuff.

[Tom Vogel]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

I was expecting a bracket and compressor position like RackMan's pictured below. I guess I'll be on the phone to Vintage Air tomorrow.

Hmmm, I dont like that either. Mines on a BB, but it sits on the side like RackMans. Im sure you can get some different mounts.

[DeadheadNM]

Excellent!!

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Excellent!!

Thanks Pete.

[IronCanine]

All wiring and plumbing lately, so no fun pics to post in spite of a lot of effort. Always one step forward and two steps back it seems. Very little goes on that doesn't come back off...once...or twice...or more. If things went together this way in 1970, I'm amazed they could crank out 50 a day. Of course we might get faster with the second one.

I wasn't going to post these pics, was gonna wait for better, but I couldn't help myself. Ran over after work today and we got the column in. I've been sitting on that steering wheel forever. It was very satisfying to slap it on. Fingers crossed, we may turn the key in earnest next week (assuming we can get everything buttoned up). The goal being to start her before final paint...just in case.

[DeadheadNM]

Did you place a 5 gallon bucket in the truck put hands on the wheel and make noises like "vroom, vrooom...."? I would have. Awesome!!

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Did you place a 5 gallon bucket in the truck put hands on the wheel and make noises like "vroom, vrooom...."? I would have. Awesome!!

Not exactly...but I must confess, I've been out of town at a meeting since Wednesday night, and I can't stop periodically, just staring at the pictures. They haven't changed, but I can't stop. It's cool when that mental image you've had forever actually becomes a thing...it's neat.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

"Always one step forward and two steps back it seems. Very little goes on that doesn't come back off...once...or twice...or more."

I can relate very much to this.. I just realized I installed the return fuel line thinking it was the fuel line that goes connects to fuel pump line.. Why I even had a fuel return line beats me. I ordered it thinking i needed it and got the two mixed up.. Have no idea what it does or where goes. I do now, in the dumpster 20 feet from my garage. So I'll be routing my lines again for the 3rd time.

You're making great progress so keep it up.. I've been spending a lot of time at the body shop and I asked the guys if they run into the same stuff we do and indeed they do too and they work on old cars everyday for a living so don't get down on yourself.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

You're making great progress so keep it up.. I've been spending a lot of time at the body shop and I asked the guys if they run into the same stuff we do and indeed they do too and they work on old cars everyday for a living so don't get down on yourself.

Thanks Mike...and back atcha. The more obstacles we mount, I do feel better...mainly because of the things I'm worried about decrease...how far will the rust go? Will the frame be straight? Will this finally be the grille that fits? Will the window glass ever touch the top weatherstrip?....Right now I'm just sweating getting it started uneventfully...then a handful more things after that. It is to the point now (as the third master cylinder gets installed), that I fully expect a minor or major issue that has to be resolved at each step. But so far so good. I certainly don't like her less because she's been a pain. Heck, my affection might be stronger.

...but I wouldn't complain if she eased up a bit.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Thanks Mike...and back atcha. The more obstacles we mount, I do feel better...mainly because of the things I'm worried about decrease...how far will the rust go? Will the frame be straight? Will this finally be the grille that fits? Will the window glass ever touch the top weatherstrip?....Right now I'm just sweating getting it started uneventfully...then a handful more things after that. It is to the point now (as the third master cylinder gets installed), that I fully expect a minor or major issue that has to be resolved at each step. But so far so good. I certainly don't like her less because she's been a pain. Heck, my affection might be stronger.

...but I wouldn't complain if she eased up a bit.

Oh man, now you got me thinking about these things. Just focus on one task at a time. That's what I've been doing and it helps. Just block out the rest of the stuff until you're onto the next task.

I'm going to take a day off this weekend and go see the Good Guys car show in Pleasonton this Saturday.. Hopefully, I leave motivated to get back at it. Any specific parts you need? I'll keep my eye out for anything I come across.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

Any specific parts you need? I'll keep my eye out for anything I come across.

Yeah...I need the long tire tools holding spring (mine has a kink). I also need a correct original lug wrench. Have fun and thanks for looking.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Yeah...I need the long tire tools holding spring (mine has a kink). I also need a correct original lug wrench. Have fun and thanks for looking.

Will do..Could you email me a pic so I have an idea of what it looks like?

[Tom Vogel]

[QUOTE=IronCanine;7109100]Yeah...I need the long tire tools holding spring /QUOTE]

Pic??

[twp1]

WOW! Great build! I have a question does anyone know where to get a body dolly for a Blazer?

[IronCanine]

Front fenders back on...hopefully for good. She's fully plumbed and oil's in. Headed home for Easter. We'll cross our fingers and turn the key when we get back.

[mx289]

Looks amazing.


All these silver k5's around here are growing on me.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by mx289

Looks amazing.


All these silver k5's around here are growing on me.

Thanks...I know, I feel like I'm totally on trend. GM was painting everything else they made silver during that period...shoulda been painting the trucks silver too IMHO.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by twp1

WOW! Great build! I have a question does anyone know where to get a body dolly for a Blazer?

Thanks....as far as the dolly goes, there are much more qualified voices to answer, but I've seen a lot of guys on here make their own. And a simple Google search yielded a lot of manufactured choices for me.

[IronCanine]

No pics...but a significant update. Fired her up tonight. We had a fuel leak last night that stymied us and delayed the big moment. But after regrouping and going through our preflight checklist tonight, she basically started on the first turn. A little fine tuning will of course be in order, but we didn't let her go long because the oil pressure never came up....which at this point I'm convinced is a problem in my gauge/line. But we're taking no chances. I totally should have put an electric gauge in there and I know it, but I'm going to swap out the oil line tomorrow. I was so zealous in not having a leak in that copper line, I'm thinking I might have overtightened the compression fittings. Please feel free to comment on my stupidity.

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

No pics...but a significant update. Fired her up tonight. We had a fuel leak last night that stymied us and delayed the big moment. But after regrouping and going through our preflight checklist tonight, she basically started on the first turn. A little fine tuning will of course be in order, but we didn't let her go long because the oil pressure never came up....which at this point I'm convinced is a problem in my gauge/line. But we're taking no chances. I totally should have put an electric gauge in there and I know it, but I'm going to swap out the oil line tomorrow. I was so zealous in not having a leak in that copper line, I'm thinking I might have overtightened the compression fittings. Please feel free to comment on my stupidity.

Subscribed. Very nice work you are doing there. I have a 70 K20 and I am looking at the detail of your engine compartment. I love it when people pay attention to the details such as tower clamps. When I see a worm clamp on these trucks the first thought is O Reilly's. Great work.

Your comment on an electric oil pressure gauge is prompting me to se if there is any market for a conversion. I did the volt gauge conversions for our trucks and they sell rather well. I am not sure if there would be a market for the oil pressure conversion to electric. I have some ideas. The hardest part would be modifying the stock gauge tin to accept the new style gauge. My idea would give you a electronic gauge that looks stock in the dash.

If you need a factory oil pressure gauge let me know. I have them in 60 and 80 lb

Keep up the good work,
Tom

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by 1971K54X4

Looks Great!

Thanks.

Originally Posted by TBONE1964

Subscribed. Very nice work you are doing there. I have a 70 K20 and I am looking at the detail of your engine compartment. I love it when people pay attention to the details such as tower clamps. When I see a worm clamp on these trucks the first thought is O Reilly's. Great work.

Your comment on an electric oil pressure gauge is prompting me to se if there is any market for a conversion. I did the volt gauge conversions for our trucks and they sell rather well. I am not sure if there would be a market for the oil pressure conversion to electric. I have some ideas. The hardest part would be modifying the stock gauge tin to accept the new style gauge. My idea would give you a electronic gauge that looks stock in the dash.

If you need a factory oil pressure gauge let me know. I have them in 60 and 80 lb

Keep up the good work,
Tom

Thanks Tom. I had always worried about having oil in the cab. I had seen Pete's (DeadHeadNM) conversion to electric in his K20 Super and thought that was smart. I have regretted not going through you for my cluster for a while...but it was one of the first things I purchased, before I knew any better...and I think it was before you went full on with both feet into gauge resto. Luckily the supplier sent me a new OP gauge. I put it in last night, but haven't started the truck to see if it's a go. I was amazed that I had an OP gauge problem to begin with...just doesn't seem like a lot that could go wrong with such a simple gauge.

Edit: To be clear, I think there would be a great market for electric oil pressure conversions. It just seems to make sense to me.

[DeadheadNM]

Having a celebratory beer - congrats! Fire it up w the line open at the gauge end to bleed and document flow?

[mtully79]

Milestone! It feels so good hearing it run for the first time, congrats!

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Having a celebratory beer - congrats! Fire it up w the line open at the gauge end to bleed and document flow?

Thanks Pete...I wanted more than a beer on Monday night. Considered just running the line into a cup...but I think I'm going to throw a nylon line in there with new fittings first. Maybe I'll see a little oil in the copper one coming off. I'm probably too worried about goofing up finishes or making a mess. The worst part of the fuel leak was that it was at the carb and did some bad things to the paint on the intake just below. So for every action there is a disproportionately horrible corresponding additional action that must occur....so we started the engine and we get to re-plumb a gauge and re-paint the intake...and I pray that's all.

Originally Posted by mtully79

Milestone! It feels so good hearing it run for the first time, congrats!

Thanks, it did sound great...especially through the 20 odd feet of dryer vent serving as our one off custom exhaust.