Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

The only things that I pay for ( when the need arises ) Electrical wiring, internal transmission,and front end allignment.My father taught me how to mechanic as a young boy,I am now 41 yrs old,and learning autobody/painting, I could re cover seats but I dont have the sewing maching for stitching. Live and learn young grasshopper,Its FUN!!!!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I hate u guys!!!!! It was snowing here last night. I'm hoping it melts by this afternoon so i can change the oil in my f-150. The roads get salted here so the jimmy sits in the winter

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Dude, sorry to hear about the rear end. I had A+ transmission on 90 and 410 build mine. New reing and pinion, rebuilt posi with stiffer springs, clutches and steels bearings etc. They did a grear job. If you give them a call ask for Ron and tell him I sent you. @ Mustard, sorry to hear about the snow. Winter is probably over for us down here. I nn to get the body mounts so I can take off the top. Hopefully soon.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Hey Bull, lets see if Carlisle will give us a discount for two a/c jobs.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

My blazer is at my buddies right now and he was going to give it a look tomorrow or the next day. His thoughts were trying pick n pull for a rear end and just swap the whole thing out... might be less expensive.

As for the AC, I was sincerely thinking about it but I got a price from Vintage Air for the parts and a rough estimate on labor from someone that vintage air recommended.... dang another $2500. Roughly... they said $1300 for the Vintage Air System, then they recommended a heavy duty electric fan $200, a trinary switch ( few bucks ) and the labor was $1000 give or take a hundred depending on what they had to remove.

I didn't ask Carlisle yet, it has to be seriously cheaper than $2500, because if not then I am close to buying a small pickup (ranger for the same price) with AC for the summer with gas prices going the way their going as my daily driver. Also, If I had another "daily driver" I can get the blazer insured with Haggerty for classic car insurance. Their stipulations say that every driver in the household has to have a designated "daily driver" other than the blazer to qualify for their insurance. Right now my insurance says if I had a total loss (totaled or stolen) they would only cover me up to $5 or $6k tops. With haggerty you can tell them the amount you want to be insured at and pay $20-30/month... weighing that all out for AC.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Blazer is back on the road :metal:

So here was the problem... every time I hit the gas I didn't have any problems but when I let off the gas there was vibration and a grinding noise in the rear end. The auto shop said I needed to replace the whole rear diff, but after my buddy looked at it all it needed was to replace the Ujoints.

He said that the Ujoints had some slop in them and the vibrations caused the bolt for the pinion yoke to loosen up. So when I hit the gas the force would tighten up so there was no vibration/grinding noise, but when I let off the gas it would loosen up and grinding noise.

All fixed now =) and ready for the cruise. Let me know when we are going for that cruise!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Do worry about how it gets fixed.. its fixed. I won't be doing any of my body work or painting b/c I want it done right & I don't have those kind of skills so I will also have bills.... Remember some guys have different skills like making more money than some guys with other "skills" so they don't have to sweat paying bills. Still a real nice looking ride. I was looking at A little lighter grey paint with blue real flames on front. IDK everyone I ask says go back with the original orange ?? Tough decision

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Dude, that's great. I'll def let you know.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Since I bought it in November I had the plugs, wires, distributor, water pump, distributor and radiator replaced. Last month I got my edelbrock carb/manifold (pics above). The parts are adding up!!! Today I got my hooker headers in! It's like Christmas around the Pacheco household! This thread is slowly turning into "my build" page!!!

Next thing I am going to get is an Xtreme Energy Comp CAM! After that I need to get my head gaskets, steel header gaskets, and then another month my buddy is going to help me put everything on. By July/August I hope to have an aluminum radiator and electric fans to keep it cool. Way long term (maybe next year) I plan to do the 700r4 transmission.

I will post more pics once everything is on!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I probably fall into this category to some degree.

I'm getting to a point in my life where I "can" do stuff but sometimes it's easier to have someone else do it.

With that said, I plan on doing a LOT of the work myself but given my limited garage space and real tools I'll have to farm out most of the hard core body work.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Things are moving along!!! I got my new COMP Cam & Lifters Kit yesterday! Can't wait to hear how my new beast is going to sound!


http://www.compperformancegroupstore...ode=CL12-243-3

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

That's gonna run!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

What's the duration and lift on it?

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Daaaaayyuummmm!!!! Is that a Blazer or a hot rod????? Lookin good bro. I still nn to hook up w/you if still have those mirrors. We got my brothers Blazer running last weekend. It's time to hit the town.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

That ought to be a decent all around cam. I'm assuming it's going in a 350? You running a manual or auto?

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

350 indeed! It is an automatic.

I still got those mirrors in my blazer ready for you buddy! Sounds like we need to take a cruise pretty soon. I should have all my engine goodies under the hood in 6 weeks or so. I will be going to the Vintage Auto Air Open house as well. Are you going? I'm hoping it is like a car/truck show which is what I'm imagining, did you go last year?


I can't wait!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

When is the V.A. open house. I'll head out there with you.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Sounds good... It is on Saturday 5/14, not sure what time but I imagine I will be heading out around 11 or 12?

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I'll meet up with you and we'll cruise out togrther.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Good seeing you Mario! Enjoyed hanging out with the Yellow Thunder showing off the Blazers! Vintage Air Open House was a slick event! Here are some pics of my favorites!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Got my new timing chain, and valve covers. Here are the pictures of valve covers (painted) on the aluminum heads =)

Over the next week I should have the block painted the same orange to match the valve covers. My buddy is going to help me put everything on over the next couple weeks. More pictures to come once it is finished.

Still undecided on the air cleaner, any suggestions? Unsure if I should buy one and paint it the same color or if I should get it chrome. Also trying to decide if I want a round, triangular, or the long oval one.

Abel

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I do everything except engine and trans building.
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Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I've done everything on mine but the body work and the internal engine/tranx(both crates). I enjoy working on it but I have changed a bit as I grown older. I have stopped doing all of my own oil changes, its just cheaper to take it to a drive through. I have a few quirks I need to get fixed (brakes and tranx) that i might not get the time to fix. I might have to get somebody else to fix it because I can't find the time to do it myself.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Decided to go with the round chrome edelbrock air cleaner, should top the EnduraShine performer manifold and Carb nicely :metal:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

That motor should breathe nicely!

I guess I have the skills, because I was raised poor. If I didn't fix it, I was walking! I scrounged parts for bicycles, and built them. Fast foreward... I have always had a heavy right foot, and until recently still broke. Even though I can afford it, I still do most everything myself. My current project, I did everything but build drivelines, and install the windsheild. I am hemmoraging Benjamins. So skills can lead to big bills.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I'm a skills guy. The skill set I haven't picked up yet is body work and paint. Those are the skills I am working on now. I figure if someone else can do it I can too!! Besides, how bad can I screw it up? If I do then I will learn how to fix the screw too. "Your'e not a mechanic if you can't fix a screw up". I'm sure someone said that somewhere at someplace in time.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Nice BBC Randy!
Here is my 454, mine is all cast thou :metal:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_s...0/HPNX0481.JPG
:chevy::mm::chevy:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

What accessory drive is that you are using? That's a wide belt. Thanks for the compliment on my motor...it even looks better now.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Love it!! :metal: I took my front clip off when I stuffed my 454 in there too :sumo::ito:

Oh that belt I am using is a 1" Cog (positive drive) from Black Mountain
http://www.blackmountainprecision.com/

At the time I was getting my 454 tuned up, my alterator Vbelt set up was just not holding, especially offroad with a load on the engine, slippin and the belt getting hella hot. A buddy of mine had the 2" version on his 67 comaro.
The 1" solved all my issues. Direct drive cog belt so no slipping. Awesome!
I still use a Vbelt for my power steering pump.
:mm::chevy::mm:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Awww chux Randy and Burt bringing out the big boys! They both look great fellas!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Got the block pulled out today, starter ring gear & flywheel need to be replaced as well.... more pics to come.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Ha! HellYa! BBCs For Life! :metal::metal:
:mm::chevy::mm:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Got the dirty truth about the block today. (see pics below). The was head and manifold gaskets were all burnt up and worn, lots of friction and wearing of the rod bearings, and the valves/pistons are rusted over in certain spots.

This does however mean great news for the rebuild of my engine :metal: Taking the block to the machine shop and he is going to let me know what he thinks possibly rebuilding it and maybe end up getting a new block.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Got the news from the machine shop, they have to go .60 over and should have it back any day now. Going with flat top Pistons and they are doing the new cam bearings, melling oil pump, and new rings. He said something about the crank as well, polishing or finishing and a few other things I didn't catch.

As I am waiting for the block I used it as a chance to order some more parts:
Got a chrome Edelbrock performer fuel pump, http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/1721/10002/-1
Jegs starter http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...10001/10002/-1
and chrome oil dipstick, and the flywheel Ring gear http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performan...60151/10002/-1

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

What about the radiator. Look into the aluminum one. Let me know if you need a hand. That truck is gonna run great.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

DUDE!!!! Do you have manual.. ? if its not your daily driver.. most ofthe fun is in fixing it yourself bro..

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Yes sir, I got a 10-30 service manual. Since I started this thread I have been learning as a couple buddies help with all of the work. They are showing me what parts I need and why. Both my friends have race cars and and work on everything themselves and one is a mechanic by trade. So yeah, it's been a good learning experience as they show me what's what. I have learned about most everything except the block rebuild as we sent that to the machine shop.

And for me it's been fun learning in the engine build, but I must admit the fun for me is definitely in DRIVING HER! Before the tear down and rebuild of the engine she was my daily driver for the past 7 months =)

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Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Can you send me a link of the model you got?
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Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Got the engine back from the machine shop :metal: they couldn't do anything for my crankcase because it was already ground down too much. But they had another one that they cut .10 and the block is .60 also went with the flat top pistons.

pics attached