Attempting my first build 72 K5

[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.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

The Cam we're using is going to need all the available vacuum so converting to Hydroboost was in order. I used CaptainFabs brackets and then I ordered the hoses in fittings from Summit and made my own lines. I picked up the hydro from a local shop in San Jose (power brake exchange) this particular Hydro came off a P30 Van.

Something else I originally wanted to do was to convert the rear drums to disc. I also used CaptainFabs brackets for this too. I called Moser and ordered a set of custom axles and the rep knew exactly what size I needed for the disc brakes.

With the Overdrive from the 4L80e, I decided to switch from the stock 3.07 open carrier to 3.73's with Auburn's electronic posi.

For those considering Auburn's electronic locker (Ected). My axle housing required machine work to allow the locker to fit. The guy who is building my transmission did the work on the axle to make it work. This was unexpected because neither of us knew this was needed or else I would have not gone with this unit.

Carrier to fit Ring Gear: 0.125 milling to fit.
Housing Pumpkin shave 0.040 and Main Cap 0.015

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Now for the real eye candy! Short block is assembled. We used a solid roller cam for this build. To clear the 4" stroke he had to cut notches in the bores.

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

Now for the real eye candy! Short block is assembled. We used a solid roller cam for this build. To clear the 4" stroke he had to cut notches in the bores.

After all the work too. But it will be bad @$$. Can you give some info on your motor build? Block crank etc... This sounds awesome.