My Nameless 79 Blazer Project

[RockhoundII]

I didn't realize this before buying my intake, but the fuel injector bores in the stock ls3 intake manifold are slightly larger than in my previous intake manifold. So I will be buying a set of the larger fuel injector o-rings as well.
I also need to make my own fuel rail brackets since I'm using tall injectors, but this wasn't unexpected.
And the last change I need to make to fit the LS3 intake is to modify my wiring harness to keep it hidden as much as possible. I will see how much room I have to work with under the intake when I test fit it tomorrow.

[RockhoundII]

Got a bit done the last couple of weekends. Took the old water pump off and cleaned the front of the motor a bit, then threw the new water pump on. I didn't notice until after I had it on that the thermostat housing that comes on the LS3 pump angles down compared to the original pump, so I will have to rethink my lower radiator hose.

[RockhoundII]

I also got my new intake painted up and set in place with the throttle body.
Since my fuel injectors are much taller than stock I am currently working on making my own fuel rail brackets.

[RockhoundII]

With the new intake I am going to have to change my coolant vapor/crossover line, the routing of the pcv hose to the throttle body, the location of my fuel pressure regulator, and the routing/length of some fuel lines.

[straight6chevyguy]

Looking nice!

[RockhoundII]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Looking nice!

Thanks! I'm hoping to have it running at least within a month now.

[RockhoundII]

Got my fuel rail brackets made. So hopefully this weekend I can get the top of the motor all buttoned up.

[RockhoundII]

I've made a good bit of progress since last I posted.

Been working on wiring on and off for a while. Finally got my transmission crossmember installed. I got all of the wiring and fuel lines ran up to and on the motor. Changed my coolant crossover line. Picked up a manual tensioner. Made a new bracket for my throttle cable, then broke my throttle cable, but managed to make it work. Ran all of my pcv hoses. And cleaned up may engine bay a bit.

My laptop decided to die on me, so I also got ahold of a tablet to put my tuning software on and maybe set up in the truck as a gauge display of sorts.

Here are some pics of the engine bay in it's mostly finished state (minus the air filter and radiator hoses).

[RockhoundII]

A while back I bought my lokar throttle cable. I had it installed on my previous intake with my previous bracket setup just fine. With this new intake I made a new bracket for it, but where I put the throttle cable mounting point this time meant I had to move the adjuster nuts on the cable back a little bit. For whatever reason on the the nuts was seized up and I ended up shearing off the end of the cable at that but. Luckily I had just enough threads left on the end of the cable I was able to make it work with just one nut and a washer.

What I had to do was disassemble the end of the throttle cable and cut the cable itself down about a 1/2". That made it so the mounting point lined up perfectly with the bracket I made. There is no longer any adjustability, but at least it works and I don't have to shell out another 50 bucks for a cable.

Here are a couple picks showing that end of the cable and the piece that broke off.

[RockhoundII]

Most of what I have left to do is wiring. Lots and lots of wiring. I'm working on wiring up all of my gauges and my fan relay right now.

I also need to pick up a battery for it and a couple front seat belts so I can drive it.

I think I have just enough time and money I am going to do a cam swap. Right now I'm eyeballing a couple different summit brand cams since they are the only thing in my budget. If anybody has any good advice for a cam for my setup I'm all ears.

[RockhoundII]

My cam showed up yesterday. Hopefully I can swap that in tomorrow.

I went with the Summit Stage 1 Ghost Cam https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...make/chevrolet

Nothing too crazy, but a considerable step up from the stock lq4 cam.

[RockhoundII]

The cam is in! I went ahead a put on a new timing chain and oil pump while I was in there.

I also picked up a battery, so not I'm down to just a little bit of wiring left and I should be able to start it. I'm hoping to fire it up this weekend if all goes well.

I wasn't having any luck finding stock seat belts, and I really didn't want to spend 100 bucks for each belt for "stock replacement" seat belts that are nothing like stock. So I found the cheapest universal 3 point seat belts I could and will use those until I can find something better.

[RockhoundII]

The truck has been running for several weeks now. After switching to a 1bar map sensor and tuning the idle it runs great.

I currently have no power steering because I'm having trouble with the power steering pulley hitting the water neck on the water pump. This is because I'm trying to use the dirty dingo close mount power steering bracket. Which is meant to be used with the ls1 style water pump, or the truck style water pump.

[RockhoundII]

I took some picture before I went to get my new tires put on.

[RockhoundII]

And here it is with the new tires.

[straight6chevyguy]

Glad to see you got it back on the road!
The pictures look great!

[Low Elco]

congratulations! Now, about that altitude....

[RockhoundII]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Glad to see you got it back on the road!
The pictures look great!

Thank you sir! Feels good to be able to drive it again.

[RockhoundII]

Originally Posted by Low Elco

congratulations! Now, about that altitude....

Thanks!
My thoughts exactly! Now that I have some proper tires on it I will be hitting suspension next. Not sure how low I want to go yet.

[RockhoundII]

I'm debating painting my wheels with plastidip. I like the aluminum look, but I also like the look of black wheels with the white lettering on the tires. I have some chrome lug nuts and center caps to help break up all the black if I go that route as well. I'd love to hear some opinions on the wheels if anyone wants to chime in.

[straight6chevyguy]

Personally I would not lower it, considering it already looks low compared to most lifted 4x4 blazers.
Just my opinion. You can do what you want.

As for the wheels I would stay aluminum but add the center caps and chrome lug nuts.
This being said, I think black wheels would look good too.

[RockhoundII]

Originally Posted by straight6chevyguy

Personally I would not lower it, considering it already looks low compared to most lifted 4x4 blazers.
Just my opinion. You can do what you want.

As for the wheels I would stay aluminum but add the center caps and chrome lug nuts.
This being said, I think black wheels would look good too.

Thanks for your input!
I'm going to have to lower it no matter what since my goal is to make it handle. Someday in the future I hope to have a blazer shaped racecar.
I'm leaving the wheels alone for a bit while I move to another state, so if the aluminum look grows on me more I doubt I'll take the time to change it. However, the lugnuts and center caps will happen no matter the wheel color, providing I can find any center caps. The center bore on the wheels measures out to 3.75 inches and I'm having trouble finding a center cap for that diameter.

[buffydores]

The aluminum rims actually look right. I'm usually a rallye guy, but that looks right.

[RockhoundII]

Originally Posted by buffydores

The aluminum rims actually look right. I'm usually a rallye guy, but that looks right.

Thanks!
So far 2 votes for aluminum here. The people I've talked to in person are split about 50/50.

[RockhoundII]

I've had some new tie rods laying around for several years and finally got around to replacing the old ones with them. Night and day difference in steering feel, and doesn't try to wander all over the road so much.