1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks Mike and Ryan. I was afraid I'd have a hard time locating a rebuilt pump locally and spend a lot of time trying so thought I'd try a rebuild. Soon I plan to ship the AC compressor for a rebuild.

Anyone know what the current scoop is on reproduction power steering pressure hoses for 4wd? Frank Hamm isn't producing these. I'm tempted to have the rubber replaced on the pressure line but not sure if there's a local company doing this work here anymore.

I spent part of today sorting the engine brackets for the alternator, AC compressor, power steering pump, and the AIR pump and matching up the respective replated hardware. I'll bolt these onto the motor later in the week. I found a NOS example of the 72-only alternator bracket.

[DeadheadNM]

I broke out a few other NOS pieces: AIR pump, grommets for the valve covers, oil caps, and bolt for the t-case shifter. Electroplating of El Paso did a good job on the rechromed shifter (http://www.electroplatingelpaso.com). I've got the chrome caps that cover the exposed division bars for the vent windows out for rechrome at the moment.

[DeadheadNM]

I've been able to piece together the missing pieces for the CA emissions control that was original installed, which was most of it including manifolds, heat shroud, injection pipes, and this piece with the two hoses. Not sure what this piece (edit: diverter valve) is called but Im going to chase a better example and need to track down the gasket used to install it onto the pump.

Maybe corvette parts suppliers will have the gasket...

[DeadheadNM]

Spent yesterday sorting out all the engine brackets and associated replated hardware. Inching closer. On a whim I carted home a reman A6 AC compressor: the harness connections are at 2:00 but OEM is on 11:00 - may send the original compressor out for a rebuild.

[DeadheadNM]

Went with an internally regulated alternator. Resto mod I guess

[DeadheadNM]

Polished up the rubber hose to the carb spacer and used replated Oem tower clamps.

[DeadheadNM]

Plug heat shields were replated. The tranny inspection cover would not pop into place: I suspect the nose cone for the starter doesn't match OEM. Sigh...

[cericd]

Loooking Goood!

[Arrington01]

Looks great as always.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Looks great Pete. Moving along nicely. Are you sticking to the stock trans or thinking about upgrading to the 700R4?

When I was on the highway yesterday I kind of wish I did the 700R4 swap. When cruising at 65 mph my RPM's are about 2800 with the stock 3.07 gears that mine came with. Maybe sometime down the road I'll update mine to a 700R4.

[DeadheadNM]

Thanks guys. Mike, since the th350 was original to the truck it was rebuilt and is bolted into place. The 3.07 gears were replaced with 3.73s and I expect to run 33" tires. It's going to generate some rpms on the hwy! I've got a 700r4 in my my k20 w 4.10s and it cruises at speed nicely w low rpm.

[IronCanine]

Gosh...I sure do hate it when I miss an email alert. So much I've missed since Halloween. Great progress Pete. This is a special build. I'm tempted to say "keep up the great work"...but for you that's the same as saying: " Keep Breathing." Looks great!

[DeadheadNM]

Build is gaining steam since the holidays. Since my last post I've rebuilt the vent windows and pulled more parts off the shelf for assembly.

What a hassle the vent windows are to build. I sent the chrome trim for replating and made use of some nos pieces.

[DeadheadNM]

But they turned out nice.

[DeadheadNM]

Doors and fenders on - AC box and misc other pieces ahead of the firewall.

[DeadheadNM]

I found this NOS heater core - had date of February 1972 on the box, which coincides with assembly month for this blazer.

[DeadheadNM]

The medium blue is growing on me - I can't wait to see it in the sun.

[DeadheadNM]

Underdash harness installed - plug and play M&H. I was able to source the following NOS components: switches for the dash, wiper motor w pump, ignition relay, ignition bezel, AC controller, ash tray, dash pad, defrost vents, AC center vent, cigarette lighter, and a glove box light.

I'll get better pics soon.

[DeadheadNM]

....

[DeadheadNM]

Greg with S/M Electrotech refurbished this truck FM for me and installed an aux coax jack. The underdash speaker is a working original. I placed some gaffers tape between the top of the chrome faceplate and the chassis - van radios had this and it reduces light bleeding through into the cab.

I'm using a NOS telescoping antenna correct for an AM radio: the fixed mast FM examples don't ever seem to clear a garage door.

[DeadheadNM]

...

[DeadheadNM]

Mice had chewed the foam rubber flapper from the inside of my duct assembly. I found this replacement with a 1968 date on the invoice. With all the dust I assume this sat for decades on a shelf in PA.

[DeadheadNM]

Board member FAA benny refurbished this AC box for me and did a POA conversion for R134. The original AC hoses have been exchanged but the OEM metal fittings were kept. The original brass nut is still in place on the suction hose.

[SoCoC10]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Board member FAA benny refurbished this AC box for me and did a POA conversion for R134. The original AC hoses have been exchanged but the OEM metal fittings were kept. The original brass nut is still in place on the suction hose.

Pete
Great progress! You might need that A/C to work when you take the Blazer out on its first drive come Spring!

[DeadheadNM]

Originally Posted by SoCoC10

Pete
Great progress! You might need that A/C to work when you take the Blazer out on its first drive come Spring!

Hopefully it's done for summer at least! Thanks Troy.