Attempting my first build 72 K5

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by 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!

Thank you! I'm really happy with how the Dark Olive turned out. The guys at BFS Auto in Santa Clara did an outstanding job. I got say pictures don't even do it justice. It looks it's best during that mid morning / early afternoon sun.

Originally Posted by 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.

I sometimes think things happen for a reason. Maybe the engine gods knew I had wished I did the overdrive the first time around and now this is an opportunity to do just that. Another way I'm looking pass this.. is that this K5 deserves a BAD A** motor and not a West Coast Engines.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

I decided on doing the 427 stroker and been taking the time to figure out other mods I'll be making.

I'm converting to EFI using the Holley's sniper. Now, there is a few options you have when it comes to running efi. At first, I was going to use FiTech's command center. The command center acts as a remote fuel pump that has to be mounted in the engine bay. This allows you to use your stock tank / existing fuel delivery setup.

The second option, drill a hole in my tank and install Holley's retrofit in-tank fuel pump.. I did not like idea of this at all.

The third option and the direction I went with was to use Boyd's welding fuel tank (EFI Stealth side fill) This was the only bolt on (sort of) EFI fuel tank ready that I could find out there. All I had to do was a drill a couple holes in the frame and line up the (optional) mounting brackets.

The tank comes with an Aeromotive in-tank fuel pump. Aeromotive recommends their wiring kit which I went with as well. Really easy to install. That hardest part was finding a good hiding place for the relay which needs to be near the battery. I mounted it right underneath the battery tray next to the MSD ignition box.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

The Cam we're using is going to need all the available vacuum so converting to Hydroboost was in order. I used CaptainFabs brackets and then I ordered the hoses in fittings from Summit and made my own lines. I picked up the hydro from a local shop in San Jose (power brake exchange) this particular Hydro came off a P30 Van.

Something else I originally wanted to do was to convert the rear drums to disc. I also used CaptainFabs brackets for this too. I called Moser and ordered a set of custom axles and the rep knew exactly what size I needed for the disc brakes.

With the Overdrive from the 4L80e, I decided to switch from the stock 3.07 open carrier to 3.73's with Auburn's electronic posi.

For those considering Auburn's electronic locker (Ected). My axle housing required machine work to allow the locker to fit. The guy who is building my transmission did the work on the axle to make it work. This was unexpected because neither of us knew this was needed or else I would have not gone with this unit.

Carrier to fit Ring Gear: 0.125 milling to fit.
Housing Pumpkin shave 0.040 and Main Cap 0.015

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Now for the real eye candy! Short block is assembled. We used a solid roller cam for this build. To clear the 4" stroke he had to cut notches in the bores.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

Now for the real eye candy! Short block is assembled. We used a solid roller cam for this build. To clear the 4" stroke he had to cut notches in the bores.

After all the work too. But it will be bad @$$. Can you give some info on your motor build? Block crank etc... This sounds awesome.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

After all the work too. But it will be bad @$$. Can you give some info on your motor build? Block crank etc... This sounds awesome.

Block: New Dart SHP 400 Block w/350 Mains. 4.125 Bore, 2 pc rear main
Crankshaft: 4" Stroke Dart 4340 Forged for Internal Balance
Pistons: Mahle Forged Pistons
Connecting Rods: 6" SCAT Forged

Cam: Custom Grind Solid Roller
Rockers: Comp Por Magnum 1.6
Lifters: Comp Sportsman
Heads: AFR 210cc (EDIT - 8/14/2018 going with 220cc instead)
Intake: Single Plane Edelbrock Super Vic
Distributor: MSD Pro Billet
Headers: Kooks 1 7/8"

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

Block: New Dart SHP 400 Block w/350 Mains. 4.125 Bore, 2 pc rear main
Crankshaft: 4" Stroke Dart 4340 Forged for Internal Balance
Pistons: Mahle Forged Pistons
Connecting Rods: 6" SCAT Forged

Cam: Custom Grind Solid Roller
Rockers: Comp Por Magnum 1.6
Lifters: Comp Sportsman
Heads: AFR 210cc
Intake: Single Plane Edelbrock Super Vic
Distributor: MSD Pro Billet
Headers: Kooks 1 7/8"

That sounds wicked but expensive. Thanks for the info, it gives me something to think about. That would be awesome in my elkie........

[SeventyOne]

niiiiice mike. more pics as you progress!

[Ol Blue K20]

I can't wait to see how it runs. I used to have a detuned 427 small block out of a sprint car in a 72 K10 and I could pull a house to the nearest gas station. Let alone whoop on myfriends Camaros and Chevelles. Awww the good ol days. I hope this runs like it did and then some.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by SeventyOne

niiiiice mike. more pics as you progress!

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

I can't wait to see how it runs. I used to have a detuned 427 small block out of a sprint car in a 72 K10 and I could pull a house to the nearest gas station. Let alone whoop on myfriends Camaros and Chevelles. Awww the good ol days. I hope this runs like it did and then some.

Thank you guys.

Chris - What's the latest with yours? Has Ceasar made any more progress?

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Ask and you shall receive.

Transmission & Tcase is back in the K5.. I had to move the mounting bracket back about 2.5". Now comes the fun part.. routing the wiring harness for the 4L80e.

[4x41971SWB]

I was just wondering if you still had to use the spacer with the steal wheels to clear the wilwood calipers? I know you had to use them with the rally wheels is it the same for the other wheels as well?
Thank you
Chris

[twp1]

Awesome build!!!!

[SeventyOne]

I know you have an update. Quit sandbaggin'!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by 4x41971SWB

I was just wondering if you still had to use the spacer with the steal wheels to clear the wilwood calipers? I know you had to use them with the rally wheels is it the same for the other wheels as well?
Thank you
Chris

I did. The steelies where a little better than the rallys and they just barely rubbed but I had to run the space unfortunately

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

The engine went to Dyno last Monday I spent three 10 hour days at the shop helping with the engine install later that week. Boy did we run into issues.

The headers would not go in from the bottom or the top with the engine mounted. We had to hoist the engine up a few inches to get those 1 7/8 pipes to slide inside the frame rail. I pray I never have to remove the headers ever!

I upgraded the PS pump to a Borgessen high pressure with two return lines. The Pump is the press fit style from 75-78 and I needed to use different brackets so I got a set of brackets from Bills hot rod for the PS & Alt. These brackets gave us all sorts of problems. Nothing was lining up and we spent hours fiddling with accessories.

In the end we did prevail and we started her up late last night.

Here's a link if you want to hear the dyno - https://www.instagram.com/p/BnAOhzvB...y=gromm.racing

[IronCanine]

As always--way to persevere my friend. Boy--has that pickle ever got some juice! Fantastic work.

[jaros44sr]

TOTY, seems wried you only have 6 psi of fuel

Iron canine, he may have you beat most beautiful K5

[litebulblsc]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

TOTY, seems wried you only have 6 psi of fuel

I believe I see a carb on it in the dyno cell.

[IronCanine]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

TOTY, seems wried you only have 6 psi of fuel

Iron canine, he may have you beat most beautiful K5

Hard to argue Jim...she is a beaut. What is an absolute certainty is that this rig would smoke it off the line.

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by litebulblsc

I believe I see a carb on it in the dyno cell.

good call, too many whiskeys

[jaros44sr]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Hard to argue Jim...she is a beaut. What is an absolute certainty is that this rig would smoke it off the line.

Wow beauty and HP, we may get to tell the grand children, we lived it

But, she doesn't have a book for the coffee table...

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Hard to argue Jim...she is a beaut. What is an absolute certainty is that this rig would smoke it off the line.

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

TOTY, seems wried you only have 6 psi of fuel

Iron canine, he may have you beat most beautiful K5

Thank you guys. It means a lot when I read comments complimenting my build. I think Brad and I have a pretty similar build except for the engine/trans combo. We both went for the stock exterior/ interior look and that Silver paint looks amazing!

It would be cool to see them side by side together shinning in the sun

[LT7A]

Great job on this truck and I look forward to reading your next iteration. You were driven to make it happen and I could see how your knowledge and abilities progressed since I read the whole thing in one big chunk. Ordinarily, I'm not a green guy, but that is a great color and goes well with the white top, black interior, and metal and wood trim.

Kind of looks like you might have snagged a cameo of James Hetfield behind your Blazer in this picture.