"Project S" - My boy Sam's '72 2wd Blazer -The Red Sled

[jeffg1010]

So, tonight I decided to jump in head first. I dropped the tank and disconnected all fuel lines connecting the tank. The tank looked like a disaster. The fuel inside looked like the septic tank at a chili cookoff. The fuel had broken completely down. No wonder is wasn't running right.

I ran to the auto parts story and bought bulk fuel line in the proper sizes. I also bought some MEK (methyethylketone) substitute (since they banned the good stuff) to clean the tank and some acetone to dry it once I get it cleaned. The plan is to Clean the inside and outside, prep and paint the outside and get new parts installed prior to reinstalling it.

Tonight I also ordered the fuel tank sending unit.

One step closer to getting it running right.

[babyblueoval]

Yikes! That sucks. But at least you found the problem and in the grand scheme of problems with old cars, it wasnt that bad.

[jeffg1010]

Originally Posted by babyblueoval

Yikes! That sucks. But at least you found the problem and in the grand scheme of problems with old cars, it wasnt that bad.

True. And after removing the tank and crawling underneath more, I was shocked at how little rust there was. It is definitely a diamond in the rough.

This is what my neighbors get to look at for a few days.

[jeffg1010]

I can relate. I finally got to the point it was time to build or sell. Sam had a meltdown so build it is.

You ever moving out this way?

[babyblueoval]

Probably not. Hurricane Sandy almost completely wiped out my friend so those plans never materialized. He's building his company back up but NC is out of the picture now.

[jeffg1010]

Oh man, bummer! Hate to hear that.

[jeffg1010]

So, the tank sat overnight with the MEK in it. This morning most of the rough stuff had broken up but the rust remained. Today after work I took my pressure washer and cranked it up to 3800 psi and cleaned it outside and in. I used the wand to clean off a TON of rust in the tank. Then I drained the water, dried it and added a half gallon of acetone to remove any moisture.

I also pressure washed the outside, primed it and painted it black.

I started replacing all of the rubber sections of fuel line and picked up the fuel tank sending unit that I ordered from the auto parts store. From a fuel perspective, it will be ready to roll in a few days.

Before I reinstall it, I want to media blast and paint the brackets and strap. But that will be Sunday or Monday at the earliest.

[smbrouss70]

Looks good! That makes me want to try and save my original tank. The re-pops just don't fit quite right and of course have a horrible filler neck on them.

[jeffg1010]

Check it out! A heat gun running on high - pointing in a used fuel tank! Run for the hills! Ok, so I saw this on YouTube so it must be safe right?

Actually this is late in the process, so I’ll explain. I cleaned the tank, pressure washed it and then acetone dried it. It cleaned out the old fuel gunk, but left a lot of flaking rust. So my dad told me about a show on tv where they put bolts and nuts in a tank and moved it around a lot and it removed the rust. I was skeptical so I looked it up. After watching a YouTube video I went with the redneck mentality of “how much could it hurt it?” Well... I guess not much, so this morning I gave it a shot. It actually worked great! I used large bolts and worked them around in the tank for 30-45 minutes. I then flushed it again with water to remove most of the sediment. Now I am drying with a heat gun. Which is why I figure it’s safe. The solvents have been removed at this point.

Wish I could’ve gotten a pic of the interior before and after but the before came out lousy. So, the best pic I can get you is a tank and a heat gun.

[parb]

Great pics and story. I ended up in the same spot, once I checked out what I just bought and found very little rust it went from "lets repaint it" to frame off restoration. I'm doing very little of the work myself (no garage and even less time) but I am also not using a classic restoration shop. i'm taking different parts to different companies to do the work on the build (Eg. I have a guy who is cutting out the rockers and weld in a new one, a guy who is doing the electrical, a paint shop).

I'm 10 months post purchase and about 6 months into the restoration. I expect it to be done by mid October.

[jeffg1010]

Originally Posted by parb

Great pics and story. I ended up in the same spot, once I checked out what I just bought and found very little rust it went from "lets repaint it" to frame off restoration. I'm doing very little of the work myself (no garage and even less time) but I am also not using a classic restoration shop. i'm taking different parts to different companies to do the work on the build (Eg. I have a guy who is cutting out the rockers and weld in a new one, a guy who is doing the electrical, a paint shop).

I'm 10 months post purchase and about 6 months into the restoration. I expect it to be done by mid October.

Thanks for checking it out. I'm sure mine will go frame off before it's over with. The more I dig, the more I see things I would like to do before I paint it. But it is definitely fun to tinker on. I just want to get it driveable to enjoy it a little before it gets cold!

[babyblueoval]

Originally Posted by jeffg1010

I'm sure mine will go frame off before it's over with. The more I dig, the more I see things I would like to do before I paint it.

I wanted to drop it, add the LS/4L60 I have and get it driveable while I kept working one it...

First 2 are what it looks like now, 3rd is how I bought it, 4th is my goal that I've had for too many years.

[jeffg1010]

Originally Posted by babyblueoval

I wanted to drop it, add the LS/4L60 I have and get it driveable while I kept working one it...

First 2 are what it looks like now, 3rd is how I bought it, 4th is my goal that I've had for too many years.

Thanks for the pics. Your blazer plans have been my inspiration from the start - with a red spin

[babyblueoval]

Originally Posted by jeffg1010

Thanks for the pics. Your blazer plans have been my inspiration from the start - with a red spin

Yeah, I remember the conversations we had when I was up there.
I just hope I'm able to finish it one day.

[jeffg1010]

Aren’t all fuel pumps suppose to ooze liquids like this?

[jeffg1010]

Took a few parts to work and media blasted them. Then brought them home and painted them. It was the fuel tank straps, the retainer ring for the fuel tank sending unit and the two plates that mount the tank. They came out awesome. The fuel tank is about to go back in!

[jeffg1010]

Tonight I nearly finished cutting and installing the new fuel line. I had one piece I cut a about two inches short (story of my life) due to a tight fitting so I need another foot of line and It'll be ready to install the tank again and get it buttoned up. I also installed the new fuel pump I ordered. It looks good. When I ran my daughter to dance tonight, I bought 5 gallons of fuel in anticipation of firing it up by Friday afternoon.

Next up is the brake booster issue.

[jeffg1010]

Tank is hooked up. Looks good.

[jeffg1010]

The push to get her Street legal continues. More new parts! The park light housings came from a board member. With a quick media blast and a coat of clear, they look like new!

Sure wish I was taking it to the Charlotte auto fair this weekend!

The fuel system is hooked back up and she is running good. This also cured the hard idle.

[jeffg1010]

Decided to add the trim so it looks more "road ready". In the state of NC, the DMV has to come to your house and inspect your vehicle once you license it. So, it effectively has to have everything working before I can tag it. I guess in my mind I figured the DMV guy may take it a bit more serious if it 'looks' like its ready for the road.

Now, I switch my focus on turn signals and brake lights. I've gotta make sure everything is working before I register it. If he has to come out for a reinspection, it costs me $75.

[jeffg1010]

Sitting home. Stuck inside on a Saturday. Waiting for the remnants of Hurricane Florence to pass. But I had a new Blazer pic I thought I would add to the thread.

At least I think it looks cool!

[jeffg1010]

So, ever since I started back on the Blazer, I’ve had a persistent ground issue. On Friday, I cut the wiring harness at the distributor and replaced it all the way to the starter. Not only did I find the problem, I’m shocked it didn’t burn to the ground. Completely burned and melted to the header.

I also replaced the positive and negative battery terminals since they looked like crap. So, she’s back to starting on the first crank.

Don’t have any pics of the new part installs but since she’s running again, I pulled her up into the yard and took some pics. She’s almost road ready. Took it down to the end of the street again.

[lks dcvn]

Looks great Jeff - I'm sure there are wiring issues on every truck after 50+ years of road use and storage.

Glad to hear you were able to track it down and get is resolved fairly easy.

[jeffg1010]

Originally Posted by lks dcvn

Looks great Jeff - I'm sure there are wiring issues on every truck after 50+ years of road use and storage.

Glad to hear you were able to track it down and get is resolved fairly easy.

Thanks! Yes, I’m not totally out of the woods yet. Wiring issues continue. Now I have discovered I have no turn signals, but this weekend I was able to get the park lights wired up!

[jaros44sr]

looks great!!!! Are you going to use the chrome trim on the front of fenders and hood?