Attempting my first build 72 K5

[rcrahn]

Hello Mike, the blazer looks stunning. Great job! It has to be a blast to drive around the coast with the top off. Congratulations!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

Hello Mike, the blazer looks stunning. Great job! It has to be a blast to drive around the coast with the top off. Congratulations!

Thank you! It's been a blast for sure. I finished late October and had a chance to drive around with the top off for a couple months before putting the top back on.

The one with the ocean in the background is in Monterey.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Unfortunately, I ran into major problems with the engine that came from West Coast Engines. One day, I started the motor and heard a loud knocking noise and checked to see what was going on and noticed a big crack in my valve cover.

After pulling the engine and taking it apart, we noticed several problems.
1. Camshaft damage
2. Signs of Detonation
3. Obvious sign of head gasket leaking
4. Cam bearing having excessive wear (1500 miles on this engine)

Bottom line I don't trust this engine and I refuse to slap bandaids on it. I have local shop building my new engine.

We are starting with a Dart SHP small block 400 with 350 mains. It's going to be a 427 stroker mated to a 4L80e. The trans came out of a 2000's Yukon 2500 series 6 Liter. I have another local guy building the transmission for me.

I am going to start an engine build thread in the appropriate section so in case you all want to follow it, I'll post a link to it.

[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!

[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.

[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.