Another 79 coming to the stable

[79BIG10]

Today I was with my brother and cousin out a guy's shop picking up some steel for my brother's new shop we're building later on. While I was there the guy mentioned that he was wanting to clean up the area and the Blazer he had needed a new home. He said it needed a new "flywheel" is all to run. I got to looking and noticing that the starter was new. I am guessing that the starter is shimmed wrong or a wrong one all together. The flexplate teeth looked like they were all fine. So I looked at the tranny and transfer case. Not sure on the TC but the tranny is a TH350. The rear drive shaft had been placed in the back of the cab since he had to tow it to his shop. The exhaust is a single 2 1/2 outlet with no muffler coming straight back from the original manifolds. It had a 12 bolt rear and a 10 bolt front with auto locking hubs factory looking. I was shocked to see newer looking bumpers placed on it. Then he opened the hood and said the magid words "Yeah it's still got the 400 factory in it." I about flipped out. A factory 400 in there untouched? Sure enough it looked like it never been cracked open. It still had the air cleaner, valve covers etc. on it. I was drooling by now. Then I saw it has a pushed and puller electric fan setup. Defiantely an improvement there.

Then we went to the interior and it was decent for it's age. Needed cleaning up and maintenace like the column being sloppy (hopefully tighten up the tex screws only). The shifter for the 4x4 was missing and the plate was different. Still has the factory interior trim with power locks and windows. The seats are worn but liveable for now with factory buckets and bench in back with a extra set of buckets in the back. Not sure what they came out of.

I then went to the body and the body is pretty straight minus the awful hood. This was a play truck and the under carraige has some dirt under it that showed that. The spots for the trim screws were already filled in with welds and bondo over but looked like rust. Tires were newer on factory rims. I found so much stuff on this truck I had to ask how much finally. I asked him how much and he said I paid $500 for it so I'll take that much so I don't lose anything. I about flipped out again. I couldn't believe it. Heck even parted out he would get more but he wanted it gone. So I called the "boss" and told her about it. She's happy with it since it will her truck to drive when needed. So tomorrow I'm getting the money to my brother who's going to haul it to the house for me. Thurs. I'll be working on getting it running and roadworthy. Then off to insurance, tagged inspected etc. since it's got nothing on it right now being a older mud truck.

Below are pics of it as I found it. Sorry for the bad pics they're off the camera phone.

[79BIG10]

more pics

[Prerunner1982]

rock on!!! lift it with some 35"s... haha... nice score...

[84 400]

nice man nice
update thos pics when u get her running. what u gonna paint it in ?

[Russell]

Make sure that it's flexplate is actually one for a 400, they are different from the other small blocks.

[f.monroe]

I would paint it in military beige , military green , or camo . I hope you dont mind me giving my opinion . Frank

[cliffsta]

I want a late 70s blazer SOO bad :angry:

[79BIG10]

I'm thinking maybe a satin black primer for now once I get the other things finished. But then again a camo is always nice too

[79BIG10]

Originally Posted by Russell

Make sure that it's flexplate is actually one for a 400, they are different from the other small blocks.

The flexplate is original I think. The starter is new but I'm wondering if it's the right one.

[Ric83]

Nice. Let us know how it goes getting her running.

[N2TRUX]

Cool find. Do you get to keep the spare seats too? That rocks...

[79BIG10]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Cool find. Do you get to keep the spare seats too? That rocks...

Yeah I got them as well. My brother and a buddy of his used a flat bed hauler to get it over here. Cost me some $$$ but well worth it to haul it the 30 miles one way. Tomorrow I'm going to tear into it to see what exactly I'm going to need to get it running.

[redbeast]

Nice find! That K5 with the 400ci is restoration Gold dude !!
If you replace the starter motor buy a mini-starter you won't have to replace it when you put your new headers on it ( or have to mess with insulation wraps for the starter or headers). If it's legal in your area go with true dual exhaust with no cats. Either Dynomax Bullets (glasspacks) or Flowmaster Super 40's. Have a balance pipe (cross-over H pipe) installed behind the tcase (at least 18-inches in front of the mufflers). I got the Super 40's with no cats and an h-pipe on my beast. They sound deep & very agressive. If your engine is rated at over 350 hp after mods go with 2 1/2 exhaust pipes, othewise go 2 1/4 all the way back. You could lose low end torque with over-sized exhaust pipes - low, or no backflow pressure. You may want to re-gear your axles if you plan to go musddin or off road. most of these came with factory 3.07 / 3.08 gears. Post some pics when you get your bush beast purrin!!

[79BIG10]

Originally Posted by redbeast

Nice find! That K5 with the 400ci is restoration Gold dude !!
If you replace the starter motor buy a mini-starter you won't have to replace it when you put your new headers on it ( or have to mess with insulation wraps for the starter or headers). If it's legal in your area go with true dual exhaust with no cats. Either Dynomax Bullets (glasspacks) or Flowmaster Super 40's. Have a balance pipe (cross-over H pipe) installed behind the tcase (at least 18-inches in front of the mufflers). I got the Super 40's with no cats and an h-pipe on my beast. They sound deep & very agressive. If your engine is rated at over 350 hp after mods go with 2 1/2 exhaust pipes, othewise go 2 1/4 all the way back. You could lose low end torque with over-sized exhaust pipes - low, or no backflow pressure. You may want to re-gear your axles if you plan to go musddin or off road. most of these came with factory 3.07 / 3.08 gears. Post some pics when you get your bush beast purrin!!

You've described almost to the letter what I've done already with the 79 truck On the blazer right now I found out that it's true dual right now with no mufflers etc. Just pipe bolted to the exhaust flange.