Left for dead: 72 2wd blazer build

[smbrouss70]

Originally Posted by 1956cameo

Steven, It was great meeting you and everyone else from the "Louisiana Gang"! I will let you know if I can make it to the power tour stop in Baytown. I hope I get half as much fun out of my blazer as you have gotten out of yours!

Likewise, Harland! (I'm guessing that I spelled your name right.) As long as you drive it instead of letting it sit after you are done, you will have just as much fun as I do. I hope you can make it out there to hang out with us and the Blazer on June 12th.

[1956cameo]

You got it about as close to spelling my name right as anyone does! Knock off the d at the end and its perfect! I will certainly let you know about June 12th. The blazer definitely won't do a whole lot of sitting when I get it done. I plan on driving the wheels off of it. No Pro Touring though!!

[Muleman100]

Now the real fun begins, getting the old girl running with all the new goodies should be like a new Blazer when finishes.

[1956cameo]

Muleman100, The real fun is certainly beginning! Now the question is what will get done first; the Blazer or the 53? I am going to try and split my time evenly.

[Muleman100]

The 53 is a little closer than the Blazer to being finished but we will keep plodding along and something will get done. Keep up the good work.

[1956cameo]

Here are a few pictures to show the latest progress from the last few weeks. First the suspension is done.





Next the crate engine is going from black to Chevy Orange.





It took a little bit of wrestling but we got the engine and transmission in. I am keeping everything original with the exception of HEI and internally regulated alternator. Everything else will be 1972.

[1956cameo]

Since the engine has gone in I have installed a new fuel tank and hoses and have started adding all of the engine accessories. I am also installing new wiring.



I have also gotten my original A/C box restored by a guy in Ft Worth that I met at Pate swap meet. He did a great job. I know it would be cheaper and easier to put a Vintage Air system in but I am restoring my original A/C system. The only difference is I am converting it over to R-134A. Waiting on a gasket set before I can install the A/C box to the firewall.






That's all of the progress that I have for now. The next update or two should show the finishing off of the engine accessories, cooling system, then brakes, tires, exhaust, and driveshaft.

[Big Block]

Wow, looks like your on a roll.

[1956cameo]

Thanks Big Block! Trying to get it running by the end of summer, and completely done by next fall!

[smbrouss70]

Looks good! Keep it up, you'll be cruising it in no time.

[lks dcvn]

The truck looks amazing! You have absolutely resurrected that blazer from the ground up.

[Ta12sec]

Do you have contact info for the guy who did your ac box?

[tommys72]

Very awesome build! I just read from cover to cover!

[hgs_notes]

Oooooh progress! I haven't been following the build threads I'm subscribed to lately. Been too many other things going on. This makes me happy to see though. Looking good man.

[Muleman100]

Start up time Friday July 29, everything is on go to fire this baby up for the first time.

[1956cameo]

Sorry for not replying to everyone. I didn't realize that it had been so long since I last posted! I have been making steady progress, but I haven't posted anything because the work that I am doing isn't really anything that makes for exciting thread material. MuleMan is correct, we got the Blazer running for the first time last Friday. I have never had a crate engine before but it might be the only way I go from now on because this engine runs GREAT!!


smbrouss70, Thanks! I can't wait to get behind the wheel. I will have to wait at least 4 more weeks for a driveshaft to be made from Denny's driveshafts. I guess it would have been smart to order that earlier.

lks,dcvn, Thank You! It has been a heck of a journey. I'm just glad its starting to take shape.

Ta12sec, Sure! It was done by a guy named Benny Sanchez. He is in Ft. Worth, TX. His number is 813-363-4769. He did an excellent job on my A/C box. He's a real nice guy and great to work with.

Tommy's72, I am glad you liked it! Sorry it got a little boring there for a while, but its back in action now.

hgs_notes, Glad you tuned back in. It was slow for a while but the progress should be steady now.

Muleman100, Thank you for all of the help on Friday!! I definitely would not have gotten everything figured out without you.




Here are a couple of pictures of the progress. I am not quite sure how to post videos on the forum, but if I get it figured out I will post driving videos in a few weeks.
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Started getting all new brakes installed.
[IMG][/IMG]

[Muleman100]

now running and we see you are working on the stopping, but the drive shaft will have it driving. Good job.

[bL.A.zer90045]

very good progress and resto!!! hit me up when you get this one finnished and get the itch for a 4xk5!!!, i have 3 great rust free southwest k5's that i am eliminating from my 25 67-72 truck collection

[tristan]

Benny Sanchez at Factory Auto Air is great and he did a complete overhaul on my HVAC boxes as well. Where did you find the new black dust seals just forward of your passenger door in #466?

[1956cameo]

Hey everyone. Sorry for not replying to your posts earlier.

Since I last posted I got my new driveshaft in from Denny's Driveshafts in Buffalo, New York. Those guys are great. Very impressed with their customer service and the quality of the driveshaft as well. Hoping to finish up the brakes this weekend and then go on my first test drive! Just an FYI for everyone I had a hell of a time getting the front drivers side rubber brake line. Everyone has generic ones that say fit both sides, but the original steel lines going to the front rubber line on the drivers side is bigger than the one going to the passenger side. Long story short the only place that had the correct brake lines was NAPA. Hopefully I can save someone some hassle with this little FYI.

bL.A.zer90045, I would love to get a solid one for my next project but you are going to have to give me some time to rebuild the savings account after dumping all my money into this one! Its funny I tried buying a 4x4 Blazer in L.A. just days before I bought this one, but the guy on the phone gave me bad vibes so I got this one instead.

tristan, He is definitely a great guy to work with. I got the dust seals from the Truck Shop in Orange, California. They are nice but you don't get the metal parts that connect the rubber to the body; you will have to already have those to put the rubber parts onto.


I will try to give another update this weekend with pictures.

[1956cameo]

Today my Blazer went on its maiden voyage! It was a short trip up and down my street a few times but after all of these years it was exciting to ride in it under its own power. I still have some tweaking to do to get all the bugs out but for the most part everything is in good working order. Here are a couple of pictures of my dad and I driving it.










Next up is to take it to the muffler shop for the exhausts, then we will work the bugs out and start working towards making it roadworthy.

[gringoloco]

Amazing transformation! Thanks for taking the time to document, as it has served as a great reference while I repair the rust on my '72

[1956cameo]

Gringoloco, Thanks! I am glad the thread is helping you out.

[shaneschevys]

you sir have made some awesome progress!! We talked about it out at Pate and for some reason I thought about it tonight. I hardly ever get on here anymore so I miss alot. Keep up the good work!! Cant wait to see it finished up

[1956cameo]

Hey Shane! Its good to see you on the forum. I'm hoping to have it at Pate next year so you might be able see it in person then, but I will admit there is still a long way to go and funds are drying up fast. Also thanks for the Birthday wishes on Facebook. I haven't been on there in 3 years but it showed up on my wife's Facebook timeline. I also wanted to let you know that I looked into getting you better spaces at Pate but I was informed that I cant request space changes for someone else (makes sense). Take care!