Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

This rig looks like a million bucks! Great job on your workmanship.

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Beautiful!

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Thanks guys I really appreciate it!

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Golden Ratio - 5/31

Still waiting for the tcase seal (Arrives tomorrow) so instead of driving it :waah: I got out there with my daughter and installed an AFR gauge. Should help immensely dialing in the timing and getting the carb settings, solving hesitations/bogs etc.

Had lots of fun trying to explain to my 6yo daughter electricity, positive/power and negative/ground creative a loop with the battery. I showed her the optima battery and she looked at me confused and said, "is the battery inside there?" :lol: I assume she was picturing the Blazer running on some small AA batteries.

We also got into some details of what the AFR gauge actually is which led us to talking about combustion and how fire needs air and fuel to burn. I later demonstrated this with a lit candle which was then placed under a pint glass.

Anyways some advanced science learnin' for the little one but it was a fun day. Here's some pics of the install:

Surprisingly accessible location!
Attachment 2020679

Some egregious undercarriage porn:
Attachment 2020682

Ran the wiring through the same grommet as the rear light harness:
Attachment 2020683

This spot seems to be the best for visibility:
Attachment 2020680

Still need to affix the gauge under the dash but...here's my current idle AFR :uhmk:
Attachment 2020681

I've been thinking that also getting a trans temp gauge would give me basically full instrumentation and it's a great way to monitor the health of the tranny. So once I get a dual gauge pod and gauge I'll screw them in in under the dash.

Still having an issue getting my hatch latch. Only the driver side catches and I can't figure out why. Will take any advice...

PUNCH LIST
Under Dash
-Attached hidden antenna under dash
-Check carb gets to WOT with pedal travel
-Get trans temp gauge and dual gauge pod

Interior
-Find audio shop to set up sound system
-Install glove box (after speaker installation)

Misc
-Add wiper fluid
-Get windows tinted
-Check and set tire pressure
-Get Alignment checked

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

I put a trans temp. in mine the only problem was location of sensor mount in pan, did it 3 times, exhaust and drive shaft in the way, finally mounted forward section of the pan, and it cleared. so, I have 2 pan drain holes

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

I might try to do a T off the outlet side of the cooler lines rather than drill into the pan. I JUST replaced the pan and all the fluid my foresight was lacking :whine:. We'll see.

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Finishing Touches - 7/10

It's been a good Month. Put closer to 400 miles on the Blazer! A few small problems have popped up and been addressed. Encountered a hard start issue after driving on the highway for 30 minutes, parking, and then leaving about an hour later. So I installed a carb spacer Edelbrock sells to fix the issue.

I also have a very small leak coming from one of my PS/Hydraboost lines. I have some parts on order to fix that soon.

Attachment 2031737

I still have a latching issue with my passenger hatch latch that I need to solve but it's low on my priority list.

As mentioned before I also wanted to get a Trans temp gauge installed so I got the same style AEM gauge to match my AFR readout. They look good and I love knowing what's happening with crucial components!

Attachment 2031738
Attachment 2031739

Got these kickpanel speakers installed and a small low profile sub under the rear seat to help with the bass tones. BTW the Retrosound Long Beach head unit is really cool. Lots of features and adjustability!

Attachment 2031740

And with that I could finally get my glove box in place. What a pain! I needed to trim a good 1/2" of cardboard from some of the edges to get the embedded captured threads to line up with the holes in my dash. But in the end it fit well and it completes the dash!

Attachment 2031741

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

And aside from that here's some nice shots of the Blazer driving around!

Attachment 2031744

Attachment 2031745

Attachment 2031746

Attachment 2031747

Attachment 2031748

Lastly some other stuff I want to tackle soon:

PUNCH LIST
Interior
-Make custom rear cargo floor mat

Misc
-Get windows tinted
-Install caster shims
-Driveway alignment (check toe in and straighten steering wheel)
-Inspect and possibly replace passenger hatch latch
-Hi beam switch doesnt seem to work any more. Inspect.

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Wow, that is a beautiful rig. You had me at 4x4 Blazer and nearly lost me at fuzzy dice, haha. Just kidding. Love the truck, and like the minimal updates that added more power with the 383 and drivability with the 700r4. The combination of colors is very cool to me: the orange plus the ivory plus whatever color the carpet is brownish tan. Very cool. You used some wheel paint on your calipers that really matched the cast iron. I know there are many different cast iron paints out there but I like how close that looked to the real thing. Don't know if you remember what it was? No big deal either way. Great job, and well worth the wait.

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Sheeeeet man - all my rides get the fuzzy dice treatment! :mm:

Appreciate the kind words, otherwise haha. The Caliper paint, honestly I painted them some 10 years ago. I likely picked it up at a local Ace hardware. My guess is it was some kind of Rustoleum high temp cast iron/grey.

On another note it's probably time for an update to my build as I've just about buttoned up an an Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 EFI installation. Maybe this weekend I'll post some pics.

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Haha, I don't know you, but I figured you could handle it if I gave you a little bit of crap. Seriously do like the truck a lot and will look forward to your update. If it is rustoleum I should be able to hunt it down. I like the natural look of most parts, but not so much when they start to rust. And the paint on your caliper looks the closest to the cast iron that I've seen.

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

I recognize this truck!

Saw it on Instagram, and I remember following it as MIGHTASWELLK5 there until my account (and all my photos) disappeared unexpectedly...

Still scratching my head on that one.


-G

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Man I haven't updated this in 2+ years! :lol:

A lot has changed with the Blazer!

I finished my Edelbrock Pro Flo 4 MPFI install and it's been killer. Highly recommend!

Attachment 2278700

While I did that I upgraded to the Dakota Digital Gauge cluster. It connects to the PF4 system to pull in gauge date - but mainly i just want to keep an eye on AFR. I also installed a GPS speedo unit so I could do away with my speedo cable.

Attachment 2278701
Attachment 2278702

Next I had the paint/body guys install the Trique Mfg Altman Easy Latch. It's such a nice mod not having to slam my doors shut any more!

Attachment 2278703
Attachment 2278704

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Then I got the glass tinted and took the whole family camping! The Blazer did awesome up slow windy mountain roads, stayed cool, and didn't miss a beat!

Attachment 2278705
Attachment 2278706

Then, poor planning on my part, but I wanted to drive it the 225+ miles to San Luis Obispo for the C10SloDown topless so promptly took the top off and hung it in my garage rafters :lol:

Attachment 2278707

I had amazing time down in SLO (I'm headed back again in a few weeks for the 2023 show) and had to hit up Pismo for a quick photo op before headed home!

Attachment 2278708

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Flash forward to this spring...

I've been working with my brother (same brother from this post 13 years ago LMAO http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...1&postcount=28) on getting his 65 C20 on the road after sitting for nearly a year.

We needed to finish rewiring it, lower the suspension, cutting off the old crappy flat bed (new one coming), bobbing the rear end, converting to power disc brakes and replacing every brake line on the truck in about 8 weeks.

We barely got it done :chevy: but proud to say he was able to make it to our local Castro Valley Car Show and we had our first car show together (insert cute brother moment here)

Attachment 2278714

At the car show the Blazer won its first award! I'm still in slight disbelief, honestly.

Attachment 2278715
Attachment 2278716

Anyways here's another shot of my bro's truck:
Attachment 2278718

Eventually he has some big plans for this truck including a cummins swap and air bags. Should be fun!

And since I can upload 1 more pic here's a shot with SF in the background:

Attachment 2278726

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Then, aside from the trophy THIS is probably what I'm most excited to share. I bought a new aluminum fabricated grille from Engineered Vintage OVER A YEAR AGO and it's just been sitting in my garage. :waah:

My brother owed me some labor and he gladly came over and helped me FINALLY get this absolute work of art installed:

Attachment 2278721

Attachment 2278722

Attachment 2278723

Attachment 2278724

Attachment 2278725

It's stunning. It completely changes the look of the front end and wakes it up. Absolutely the best cosmetic upgrade I've made to the truck. Plus it's functional as I'm no longer scared of breaking off pieces of the stock plastic grille :metal:

Oh and I installed some NOS/vintage bumper guards along the way haha

Alright that's it! That's all my updates over the past 2 years.
I'm headed to SLO with my Brother taking his C20 in a few weeks so maybe I'll post some pics from that show.

Thanks for reading everyone!

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

I have the same issue here in my 72 Blazer. Did you ever figure out where it goes? I realize that this post is WAYYYYYY old.

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Thanks for the update!

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Very impressive!

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Great build,Might you share on your 3 hr solution on gettin top back on with the push on seals.Thick up there at wind shield.Goin thru same.Thanks for any reply.Paul.....

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

It was a nightmare honestly - at one point i had long screwdrivers up through the bedside holes, through the double wall top bolt holes and using the shank of the screwdriver to leverage the top forward to get other bolt holes to line up.

Thinking about it now it cold have broken something inside the top and i'd of been F'd. But it worked.

Rethinking it now...perhaps getting the thick upper chunk of rubber at the top of the windshield header good and warm for better squish/pliability could have helped.

all i can say is go slow, be patient and slowly cinch down the bolts a long the way.

My top sat on the truck for3 years before i pulled it off 2 years ago. I'm contemplating putting it back on and I REALLY hope I don't have issues again :waah:

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Hey now thanks for your reply.Slow goin but it will work out.Them pads at header are thicker than nos pads.Iv'e got 2 sets nos glue on and may cut the pads and try that.Very nice truck you did.Paul....

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

curious how much thicker they are? wonder if you could just shave them down...

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Hey now,got it on ok with not much hassel with push on.Lifted up top over header and worked out ok than first try.Thought was gonna be pain but massaging and drawing in with front bolts worked great.Got all bed rail bolts in as well..Difference in pads is abut 3/8.The push on squished in better than I thought..Keep on truckin,Paul....

Re: The "In over my head" build thread
 

Seems i just had the wrong approach reinstalling the top. Good to know!