Attempting my first build 72 K5

[Gillnetter]

Blazer looks great! Time to enjoy it.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by Gillnetter

Blazer looks great! Time to enjoy it.

Thank you. I was planning to take it to its first car show tomorrow but we have rain in the forecast.

[DeadheadNM]

Whoa!! Congrats! How about some interior pics?

[Ol Blue K20]

Absolutely gorgeous, congratulations on the finish. I have only done that ride on my Harley a few times. Lots of pretty scenery.

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Whoa!! Congrats! How about some interior pics?

PS: re post #568 the photo of the ebrake cables. My ebrake cable coming from the cab lacks the hole to accommodate the spring that is suspended from the undersurface of the pan and it's a replacement from In Line Tube. I notice that your spring does join the cable. Did your cable come from ILT and if so was there a hole to acccomodate the spring? The bridging cable to WAY too long and the first set of rear brake cables were for a 3/4t application.

[briank]

Wow does that look sweet!!! Question about the black plate though. Didnt the blue and yellow ones start in 1970? Only reason I ask is I have a 1970 Gmc jimmy bought from original owners family that lived its life in southern Cali and I have the original plates ( I think) from day one and theyre the blue yellow ones. I run them currently even though I live in Illinois and we can run year of manufacture on it ( vehicle code doesnt say they have to be Illinois year of manufacture��) Figured youre from Cali and should be able to answer.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

PS: re post #568 the photo of the ebrake cables. My ebrake cable coming from the cab lacks the hole to accommodate the spring that is suspended from the undersurface of the pan and it's a replacement from In Line Tube. I notice that your spring does join the cable. Did your cable come from ILT and if so was there a hole to acccomodate the spring? The bridging cable to WAY too long and the first set of rear brake cables were for a 3/4t application.

Pete - Mine came from Inline Tube via Wes at Classic Heart Beat. It did have the hole for the spring to hook into. Here's a close up pic. Is this what you're talking about?

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by briank

Wow does that look sweet!!! Question about the black plate though. Didnt the blue and yellow ones start in 1970? Only reason I ask is I have a 1970 Gmc jimmy bought from original owners family that lived its life in southern Cali and I have the original plates ( I think) from day one and theyre the blue yellow ones. I run them currently even though I live in Illinois and we can run year of manufacture on it ( vehicle code doesnt say they have to be Illinois year of manufacture��) Figured youre from Cali and should be able to answer.

Thank you Brian. Blue and Yellow for vehicles registered as passenger cars started in 1970. 72 was the last year for commercial vehicles. Blazers where registered as pass vehicles.

A few years ago California DMV started letting people order vintage style plates (black and yellow only) for any vehicle. I see a lot of people put black plates on minivans, prius, and others that don't look right and I just shake my head. lol

You can tell the difference in the font and spacing of the new ones like mine and originals.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Per Pete's request

Rain held off for this year's Hod rods on the beach car show. It's a relatively small show, I think last year had about 400 cars. All proceeds go to the SCPD.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

more pics.

[DeadheadNM]

I've been ogling the pics for the last two days. Fantastic job! Thanks for having us aboard over these last few years. I learned a lot from your build and I suspect others will draw upon this thread for future blazer builds. How's the Blazer being received - any thumbs up along your travels?

Inline definitely sent me the wrong cables. Thanks for posting your cable pic. The threaded end on mine is now drilled out and the intermediate cable cut and capped.

[Ol Blue K20]

Gorgeous pics, it looks great in the sun. Even the dog looks proud!

[GMC-YA68]

congrats, she is badazz!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Thank you guys!

@Pete
I've been getting a lot of compliments and thumbs up while driving. The most common feedback I'm hearing is about the color. People really love Dark Olive

Bummer about Inline Tube. That's frustrating.

[DeadheadNM]

My GMC pickup still has its oem dark olive poly. Pictures can't really capture how it appears in daylight. It's a really pretty color with gold accents that really sparkle.

[Tom Vogel]

Are those seat backs repops? They look very nice. Did they fit well?

[IronCanine]

OMG...I'm off the site for a week and everyone throws it down!!!! Mike, My Boy!!! Congrats. You did it! What a result. I have so enjoyed this follow. Outstanding work. You should be so proud. Thank you so much for sharing the process. Hard work, perseverance, and attention to detail. She's a beaut.

PS It has been my experience that the best restorations restore the soul as well.

[prorat56]

Awesome job!! Truck is beautiful!!!!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by Tom Vogel

Are those seat backs repops? They look very nice. Did they fit well?

Thank you, Tom. Regarding seat backs, Not sure. They came with the truck when I bought it 12 years ago.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

OMG...I'm off the site for a week and everyone throws it down!!!! Mike, My Boy!!! Congrats. You did it! What a result. I have so enjoyed this follow. Outstanding work. You should be so proud. Thank you so much for sharing the process. Hard work, perseverance, and attention to detail. She's a beaut.

PS It has been my experience that the best restorations restore the soul as well.

Thanks Brad! I appreciate all the support you've shown through the entire process of my build. And, you're right I feel like my soul has been restored.. I couldn't be more happier with the result..

Originally Posted by prorat56

Awesome job!! Truck is beautiful!!!!

Thanks Porat!


So far, I have logged over 1500 miles on her and put the top on a few weeks ago. I'll try to get some pics over the next week or so in the sun to share.

[rcrahn]

Hello Mike, the blazer looks stunning. Great job! It has to be a blast to drive around the coast with the top off. Congratulations!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

Hello Mike, the blazer looks stunning. Great job! It has to be a blast to drive around the coast with the top off. Congratulations!

Thank you! It's been a blast for sure. I finished late October and had a chance to drive around with the top off for a couple months before putting the top back on.

The one with the ocean in the background is in Monterey.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Unfortunately, I ran into major problems with the engine that came from West Coast Engines. One day, I started the motor and heard a loud knocking noise and checked to see what was going on and noticed a big crack in my valve cover.

After pulling the engine and taking it apart, we noticed several problems.
1. Camshaft damage
2. Signs of Detonation
3. Obvious sign of head gasket leaking
4. Cam bearing having excessive wear (1500 miles on this engine)

Bottom line I don't trust this engine and I refuse to slap bandaids on it. I have local shop building my new engine.

We are starting with a Dart SHP small block 400 with 350 mains. It's going to be a 427 stroker mated to a 4L80e. The trans came out of a 2000's Yukon 2500 series 6 Liter. I have another local guy building the transmission for me.

I am going to start an engine build thread in the appropriate section so in case you all want to follow it, I'll post a link to it.

[lks dcvn]

Bummer about the motor - it sounds like you have a solid plan though and it will be better in the long run.

I just looked through this build thread and picked up a few tips for my projects. The truck looks great and makes me miss the dark olive 69 4x4 that I sold a few years back. The color never 'popped' on it like yours though. Very nice!

[IronCanine]

Mike...outstanding pics with the top on... it looks great. I am so sorry to hear about the motor. You have a great attitude about it. Sounds like the new combo will be killer. I'll look forward to following the new progress. Hope it all goes smoothly. You deserve a break in that department.