Hemi's 70 Blazer build

[hemi43]

It was too hot to sandblast today, so I setup a temporary electrolysis bath to derust some parts. It takes a long time, but the best part is you can just walk away from it and let it do it's work.
I first clean the paint and grease off in a small hot tank I made a few years back, then dump the parts into the bath.
If you want to try this, just use Google to find out how. Some say to use a battery charger, but I use both a battery as well as the charger.
The before and after pictures don't really show how well this works, but all the rust is gone. The part now has a copper color stain where the rust used to be.

[IronCanine]

Electrolysis set up looks great Dan. I'm trying to get the emblem measurements for you. My original fenders are at the shop and I haven't had a chance to go over there...though I think it's probably easier and will turn out straighter if you just line up, pattern and drill based on emblem position over hole position (does that make sense). So with that in mind I went to pull you some measurements right off the truck. Unfortunately I got called away in the middle so I've only got the driver's side...I'll try to do the passenger's side tomorrow. My front fenders are off a truck. The three holes for the K/5 emblem are the same as whatever the truck emblem was...so we didn't drill those. We referenced the original fenders to get the holes for the 8:350 emblem. The measurements are pulled from the edge of the panel (vertical and horizontal) and to the "black" plastic edge of the K/5 emblem.

Edit: I always say that my fenders came from a truck...and that is the statistical likelihood, but I was just thinking, they could very well be from a 71 or 72 Blazer, I don't know...I bought them at a swap meet and didn't ask.

[hemi43]

Awesome !! Thanks for that !!
I really like the look of the 8:350 emblem, but I'm thinking twice about using one since I'm using a 5.3

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Awesome !! Thanks for that !!
I really like the look of the 8:350 emblem, but I'm thinking twice about using one since I'm using a 5.3

I can't believe that no one makes a 327 badge with all these LS swaps...but I didn't see one on a quick search....but here's your chance to pick up the baton from this guy:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317149

[hemi43]

Arghhh !! Go figure !! I just sold my CNC mill about 2 months ago because I hardly used it and it took too much floor space. I guess the old saying is true that as soon as you get rid of something, you'll need it.
It was an old NC machine I converted over to CNC using a personal computer. It ran great but it was just too darn big.

[mcmlxix]

http://billetbadges.com/

[hemi43]

Started mocking up the front brakes yesterday. My truck originally had front drums, so I decided to make my own drum to disc conversion using the original hubs,spindles and knuckles. The rotors are 88 GM 4X4 and the only modification was that I had to open up the center hole to fit the hub. The calipers are 03 GM twin piston and just needed a slight modification for clearance. Since I'll be using stock 15" rims, caliper clearance is an issue, but should just fit in there.
Today, I split the body from the frame and was able to use my rotisserie for the first time. So far so good.
One item that may cause issues down the road (last picture), is clearance from the front transfer case U-joint (CV-joint) to the transmission oil pan corner on the 4L60E that I plan on using. I've read others having problems also, but don't recall seeing any pictures showing the large CV joint like I have. I'm thinking of maybe flipping the front shaft around so that the CV joint is at the diff. This would give me lots more room by the pan if the slidding yoke was there. Any ideas? Can I get rid of the CV joint all together and just run a U-joint?

[hemi43]

Sure makes it nicer not having to lay on my back to work on the bottom of the truck.
I couldn't help myself thinking how many years and miles this little critter had been in the truck!

[grillzy]

Great work so far. Well Done!

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by grillzy

Great work so far. Well Done!

Thanks !! got a lot more done, but it's kinda boring stuff and not worthy of pictures.
Got my fuel tank made and also rebuilt the steering box, transfer case and the 4L60E. Also spent lots of time cleaning 45 years of grime off of everything. So far no surprises, and everything looks to be in great condition.
Hoping next week to drop the 5.3 into the frame so that I can mock up the front cross member and exhaust.Pictures will follow.
Dan

[hemi43]

Been actually busy on the Blazer in the past few weeks, but mostly small things.
Did get the engine cross-member fabbed up and the 5.3 installed, as well as the transmission and transfer case.
Just finished the stainless exhaust, so most of the fab work on the frame is done. Hopefully I'll be able to take it all apart and sandblast it in a week or so, then the re-assembly can begin.
Here in Ontario, any donor engine must retain all of it's emission controls regardless of what year the vehicle is. This includes catalytic convertors, air pumps, egr and even the charcoal evap canister.It's a PITA, but the fines are huge if caught without them. My Blazer will meet all 2003 emission standards. I guess it's not a bad thing because these things don't really hurt performance.

[tjsblazer]

Great progress. It looks like you aren't using those factory exhaust hangers. If that's the case they are always a quick sell in the parts forum if you wanted remove and sell them.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by tjsblazer

Great progress. It looks like you aren't using those factory exhaust hangers. If that's the case they are always a quick sell in the parts forum if you wanted remove and sell them.

I didn't think I was allowed to post for sale stuff in here? I thought you had to be a contributing member. I'll have lots of parts left over and they're all rust free. Will also be getting rid of the factory double wall top.

[tjsblazer]

Yes you do. Sorry didn't realize you hadn't bothered.

[hemi43]

Got lots done, but haven't had much time to post updates. Finally got the frame sandblasted and painted which is a nice hurdle to get over. Have also powder coated tons of smaller items. I'm gonna hate my hydro bills this month !!

[IronCanine]

More outstanding progress Dan...looking great.

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

More outstanding progress Dan...looking great.

Thank! Nice to see the end of deconstruction. Looking forward to start assembling all these shiny parts I've been gathering these past few months. Need to get the 12 bolt rebuilt so that I can have a rolling chassis again.

[mx289]

Looks great.
Very nice work.

[grillzy]

Really enjoy watching your build due to everything looking top notch and being close to home and a truck that I almost bought.

[GMC-YA68]

Looks good. Don't forget on your front hubs that your rotor mounts to the back side of them and the wheel studs run thru both. (Saw you had them studded already in your pic)

[hemi43]

Originally Posted by GMC-YA68

Looks good. Don't forget on your front hubs that your rotor mounts to the back side of them and the wheel studs run thru both. (Saw you had them studded already in your pic)

Not on mine !! My truck originally had drums. If you go back on the top of this page, you'll see that I made my own disc brake conversion using large late model
2-piston calipers. On the table with the coated parts the custom backing plate is sitting on the edge of the table. I also increased the stud size to 1/2-20.
Dan

[67-72trucks]

Very nice metal work!

[GMC-YA68]

Originally Posted by hemi43

Not on mine !! My truck originally had drums. If you go back on the top of this page, you'll see that I made my own disc brake conversion using large late model
2-piston calipers. On the table with the coated parts the custom backing plate is sitting on the edge of the table. I also increased the stud size to 1/2-20.
Dan

whatever showoff.........

[hemi43]

Finally going back together !!
I need to get a rolling chassis again quickly so that I can get the body shell blasted and epoxied before the cold weather gets here in a few weeks.

[IronCanine]

Now we're talking! Looks good. This part was the most fun phase to me. Nothing like mo progress, mo pics.