My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BLUE THUNDER · 08-17-2008, 04:51 PM

OK guys,many of you have seen my posts over the last year and half. Starting with Blue Thunder (we ALL know what happened with that), to me bringing home Ol Yller! Here is what she looked like...So I got to work trying to get it started. It had sat in a barn for 8 years w/o a carb.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-17-2008, 05:17 PM

So after swapping the intake manifold and getting a carb from jtrux, I started to clean up the valve covers and a couple of brackets. Unfortunately, the old motor had no compression in #1 and #3 cylinders. I didn't even bother checking the rest. So the search for the right engine started. Rebuild, buy new, or used were all explored. 1st thing first though, gotta get the old one out.

vtblazer · 08-17-2008, 05:18 PM

What...end of story?

How is it, a good starting point?
Must be if you pulled it home.

Gotta luv gettin' a new blazer home and seeing what she's got to offer.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-17-2008, 05:51 PM

Not the end of the build, having trouble w/photobucket and resizing pics.

vtblazer · 08-17-2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUE THUNDER

Not the end of the build, having trouble w/photobucket and resizing pics.

...yeah, we were typing at the same time.

Liked your blue one, I'm sure this one will be sweet too.

Keep us updated.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-17-2008, 06:12 PM

Then came the house hunt, so I had to slow down on the blazer. Once we bought the house and I finally had a garage to work in, I was able to continue.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-17-2008, 07:22 PM

So then I started stockpiling parts for Ol' Yeller. I picked up two front seats out of a extended cab p/u and a third row seat out of a suburban for a total of $160.00. I also picked up a modified Smittybuilt rollbar and bikini top from a borad member for a $100.00 bucks. I also got a hold of a Sony double knob stereo and some Sony 6x9's, a Sony xplod amp, and some 6 1/2 door speakers from some junkers. Best part about the stereo stuff, FREE!!!!! The Edelbrock air cleaner was $20.00 bucks on craigslist, still in the box. And some used Flowmasters for $40.00. I then came across a 4" lift kit for $200.00 + $90.00 shipping. So far my budget hasn't been blown and The blazer is getting great parts on it with huge $aving$.

Jtrux · 08-17-2008, 07:23 PM

Well.....

BLUE THUNDER · 08-17-2008, 07:33 PM

Alright, back to the build. After weighing all the options I decide to go with the GM performacr parts 260hp crate motor. With the discount I get I just couldn't pass it up. I called a local Chevy dealership and tracked one down here in S.A. and bought it.

Big Block · 08-17-2008, 09:52 PM

Looks great! You'll be driving it before you know it.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-17-2008, 10:58 PM

Well, after getting all the brackets cleaned and rattle-canned the motor was finally ready to start breathing. I bought a brand new battery and got some gas. I primed the motor with a cordless drill and a cut-off screwdriver. Worked like a charm. After being 180 off on the dizzy and a small power issue she was again ready to start. One problem though, I couldnt find my throttle cable and I really didn't want my arms in the engine compartment while it was running. After about 2 min of head scratching I came up with just the right idea. 8lb test tied to the carb did just the trick. Jtrux turned the key and she fired up w/o any problems. This was at about 8:30 P.M. on Thursday. We ran it at 2k rpm for about 10 min. The motor ran fantastic. Great oil pressure and low temp. I'll need to do it again for a little longer to finish breaking in the cam.

Blizz · 08-18-2008, 01:05 AM

Looks good. I'm starting to get motivated again....although I have a tough decision to make soon. $300 towards the Blazer or an XBOX 360. Hmmmm....what to do, what to do.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-18-2008, 08:57 AM

Blazer fo sho. If you don't get started i'm gonna borrow yuor tires before they rot away.

**Yukon Jack** · 08-18-2008, 11:22 AM

Motor looks great! Congrats on a successful first firing!

jaros44sr · 08-18-2008, 11:43 AM

Congrats! job well dun

Big J · 08-18-2008, 02:49 PM

I remember firing mine up after have problems with the first one. Good stuff, congrats.

Chevyman63 · 08-18-2008, 03:41 PM

Nice looking engine.

You may want to carry around some extra 8lb. test just in case.

BLUE THUNDER · 08-19-2008, 12:03 AM

It's in the center console. Ha Ha. I'll hopefully have that resolved in the next couple of days. Thanks Jtrux. Now to tackle the next problem. The day after running the motor i went to the garage and found a puddle of tranny fluid under the truck. She didn't move under her own power when she was running, but i thought that it was because it was low on fluid. Anyone ever have that happen to them?

BLUE THUNDER · 01-27-2009, 10:49 PM

Had to go way back to find my build thread. Made lots of progress. I'll post some pics here soon. For now I'll let some suspense build. Later.

AJs72K5 · 01-27-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLUE THUNDER

Had to go way back to find my build thread. Made lots of progress. I'll post some pics here soon. For now I'll let some suspense build. Later.

No pics = no proof of progress. All hearsay.

BLUE THUNDER · 01-28-2009, 12:06 AM

Well, I'm back! I'm happy to announce more progess. After getting the motor running I found out the transmission was trashed. I got to wrenching and pulled the tranny and t-case out. I dropped it off at A Plus Transmissions here in town. I had everything replaced and had it built w/ a shift kit and a TH400 torque converter. After I got it back I had some friends come over and helped me put it back in. Here are some pics.

BLUE THUNDER · 01-28-2009, 12:18 AM

After getting the tranny and t-case in I waited about a week or so to tighten everything back up. I ended up having my front driveshaft rebuilt for $100.00 bucks. I filled the tranny w/fluid and started her up. I put Ol yeller in gear and it started to move under it's own power. as excited as I was I had to cut the maiden voyage short because I had no brakes . The booster was shot. Oh well. I've also been stockpiling parts again. Here are some pics.

BLUE THUNDER · 01-28-2009, 12:26 AM

Hopefully I can get some time this weekend to install the 4" lift and change the tires and put them on the newsed shoes(got them from Jtrux). I still have to thghten up some bolts and put the hump back on. Once Ol yeller is stopping better i'll need to take it to the guys at A Plus so they can get the tranny dialed in. I'll be putting a lot of time into the Blazer soon now that the weather is getting warmer. Let me know what ya'll think of my progress and upgrades. Thanks. Mario

BLUE THUNDER · 01-28-2009, 12:28 AM

Soon AJ, Soon!

BLUE THUNDER · 01-28-2009, 12:36 AM

One last pic. Be on the road soon!!!!!

08-17-2008, 05:17 PM	#2
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! So after swapping the intake manifold and getting a carb from jtrux, I started to clean up the valve covers and a couple of brackets. Unfortunately, the old motor had no compression in #1 and #3 cylinders. I didn't even bother checking the rest. So the search for the right engine started. Rebuild, buy new, or used were all explored. 1st thing first though, gotta get the old one out. Attached Images Last edited by BLUE THUNDER; 08-17-2008 at 05:39 PM.

08-17-2008, 05:51 PM	#4
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Not the end of the build, having trouble w/photobucket and resizing pics.

08-17-2008, 06:12 PM	#6
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Then came the house hunt, so I had to slow down on the blazer. Once we bought the house and I finally had a garage to work in, I was able to continue. Attached Images

08-17-2008, 07:22 PM	#7
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! So then I started stockpiling parts for Ol' Yeller. I picked up two front seats out of a extended cab p/u and a third row seat out of a suburban for a total of $160.00. I also picked up a modified Smittybuilt rollbar and bikini top from a borad member for a $100.00 bucks. I also got a hold of a Sony double knob stereo and some Sony 6x9's, a Sony xplod amp, and some 6 1/2 door speakers from some junkers. Best part about the stereo stuff, FREE!!!!! The Edelbrock air cleaner was $20.00 bucks on craigslist, still in the box. And some used Flowmasters for $40.00. I then came across a 4" lift kit for $200.00 + $90.00 shipping. So far my budget hasn't been blown and The blazer is getting great parts on it with huge $aving$. Attached Images Last edited by BLUE THUNDER; 08-17-2008 at 07:26 PM.

08-17-2008, 07:23 PM	#8
Jtrux I'm a poor spectator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Antonio, Tx Posts: 2,287	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Well..... __________________ 2006 Jeep Unlimited IMPACT ORANGE 1993 Chevy 2500 4x4 ExCab LWB 454/NV4500 Tow rig 1977 Ford F100 2x4 LWB 1st truck I owned, still have it!!! 1979 Ford F150 4x4 SWB Built Ford Tough!!! 1971 Chevy Blazer 350 / SM465 / NP205 UNDER CONSTRUCTION Soon to have a LQ4 6.0!!!

08-17-2008, 04:51 PM	#1
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! OK guys,many of you have seen my posts over the last year and half. Starting with Blue Thunder (we ALL know what happened with that), to me bringing home Ol Yller! Here is what she looked like...So I got to work trying to get it started. It had sat in a barn for 8 years w/o a carb. Attached Images Last edited by BLUE THUNDER; 08-17-2008 at 04:59 PM.

08-17-2008, 05:18 PM	#3
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! What...end of story? How is it, a good starting point? Must be if you pulled it home. Gotta luv gettin' a new blazer home and seeing what she's got to offer.

08-17-2008, 07:33 PM	#9
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Alright, back to the build. After weighing all the options I decide to go with the GM performacr parts 260hp crate motor. With the discount I get I just couldn't pass it up. I called a local Chevy dealership and tracked one down here in S.A. and bought it. Attached Images

08-17-2008, 09:52 PM	#10
Big Block Big Block Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Durham, N.C. Posts: 1,649	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Looks great! You'll be driving it before you know it.

08-17-2008, 10:58 PM	#11
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Well, after getting all the brackets cleaned and rattle-canned the motor was finally ready to start breathing. I bought a brand new battery and got some gas. I primed the motor with a cordless drill and a cut-off screwdriver. Worked like a charm. After being 180 off on the dizzy and a small power issue she was again ready to start. One problem though, I couldnt find my throttle cable and I really didn't want my arms in the engine compartment while it was running. After about 2 min of head scratching I came up with just the right idea. 8lb test tied to the carb did just the trick. Jtrux turned the key and she fired up w/o any problems. This was at about 8:30 P.M. on Thursday. We ran it at 2k rpm for about 10 min. The motor ran fantastic. Great oil pressure and low temp. I'll need to do it again for a little longer to finish breaking in the cam. Attached Images

08-18-2008, 01:05 AM	#12
Blizz Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 372	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Looks good. I'm starting to get motivated again....although I have a tough decision to make soon. $300 towards the Blazer or an XBOX 360. Hmmmm....what to do, what to do. __________________ '72 K5 CST Blazer 4x4 in perpetual progress '96 2dr Tahoe 4x4 daily driver, Black Bear Performance tune, 285-75-16 Nitto Grapplers, Magnaflow muffler, K&N Air filter, Bilstein Shocks.........E-fan, DT Tri Y or Pacesetter LTs coming soon

08-18-2008, 08:57 AM	#13
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Blazer fo sho. If you don't get started i'm gonna borrow yuor tires before they rot away.

08-18-2008, 11:22 AM	#14
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,683	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Motor looks great! Congrats on a successful first firing! __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

08-18-2008, 11:43 AM	#15
jaros44sr Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,421	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Congrats! job well dun __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

08-18-2008, 02:49 PM	#16
Big J Its lookin' like a Blazer! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Gods Country, KY Posts: 1,773	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! I remember firing mine up after have problems with the first one. Good stuff, congrats. __________________ BAZINGA! My Build



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08-18-2008, 03:41 PM	#17
Chevyman63 Can't wait to retire!! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Corunna, MI Posts: 1,575	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Nice looking engine. You may want to carry around some extra 8lb. test just in case. __________________ 2009 4x4 Chevy Crew Cab 6.0 1989 4x4 Siverado (270,000 miles) 1972 4x4 Blazer 2007 Chevy Cutaway 1 ton 1970 Corvette (sons project) RIP - CLR 10/11/09

08-19-2008, 12:03 AM	#18
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! It's in the center console. Ha Ha. I'll hopefully have that resolved in the next couple of days. Thanks Jtrux. Now to tackle the next problem. The day after running the motor i went to the garage and found a puddle of tranny fluid under the truck. She didn't move under her own power when she was running, but i thought that it was because it was low on fluid. Anyone ever have that happen to them?

01-27-2009, 10:49 PM	#19
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Had to go way back to find my build thread. Made lots of progress. I'll post some pics here soon. For now I'll let some suspense build. Later.

01-28-2009, 12:06 AM	#21
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Well, I'm back! I'm happy to announce more progess. After getting the motor running I found out the transmission was trashed. I got to wrenching and pulled the tranny and t-case out. I dropped it off at A Plus Transmissions here in town. I had everything replaced and had it built w/ a shift kit and a TH400 torque converter. After I got it back I had some friends come over and helped me put it back in. Here are some pics. Attached Images

01-28-2009, 12:18 AM	#22
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! After getting the tranny and t-case in I waited about a week or so to tighten everything back up. I ended up having my front driveshaft rebuilt for $100.00 bucks. I filled the tranny w/fluid and started her up. I put Ol yeller in gear and it started to move under it's own power. as excited as I was I had to cut the maiden voyage short because I had no brakes . The booster was shot. Oh well. I've also been stockpiling parts again. Here are some pics. Attached Images

01-28-2009, 12:26 AM	#23
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Hopefully I can get some time this weekend to install the 4" lift and change the tires and put them on the newsed shoes(got them from Jtrux). I still have to thghten up some bolts and put the hump back on. Once Ol yeller is stopping better i'll need to take it to the guys at A Plus so they can get the tranny dialed in. I'll be putting a lot of time into the Blazer soon now that the weather is getting warmer. Let me know what ya'll think of my progress and upgrades. Thanks. Mario

01-28-2009, 12:28 AM	#24
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! Soon AJ, Soon!

01-28-2009, 12:36 AM	#25
BLUE THUNDER Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: San Antonio Posts: 993	Re: My Build Story, And I'm Sticking To It! One last pic. Be on the road soon!!!!! Attached Images

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