'72 K5 Blazer CST = Yet another Build

[VA72C10]

Will follow along on this one!

[47thriftmaster]

Not much real progress to report. But do have a few things. Have continued taking apart the Blazer, most of it is done. Also have been restoring the bolts, what a tedious job that is, along the way. Here is some of the work, mid way, still need to treat them. All the bolts will end up black. The last one on the bottom right is what I started with. Have been doing all the bolts I can save on the Blazer.



Also, today I went to pick up the engine I plane to use for the build, it's a 1972 350ci SBC w/ 4 bolt main. It was complete, all original, and supposedly had around 70,000 original miles. Came off a Pepsi delivery truck. Will tare it down and have the block checked, then start the build.







Oh, I will not be needing the clutch and fly wheel if anyone is interested. Not sure if these originals are sought after.

[47thriftmaster]

Started tearing the engine apart, so it could be taken to the machine shop when I can. The inside looks real good so far, nice and clean. Have not pulled the pistons yet, had some stuff to do for the wife so I only had about 20 min to work on the project.

Oil pan and timing cover are really pitted from rust, so will be looking for some original replacements soon. That is it for now.

[1956cameo]

Nice project. Looking forward to seeing more progress!

[47thriftmaster]

Still not that much progress, but a few updates. Got a few patch panels in, Wheels are back from the coaters (they turned out real nice), and the engine is completely stripped. The block looks good, but still indecisive on the build, so the block will wait to go to the machine shop. Also got a gasket kit for the NP205, so I will start the rebuild on that. Will also be pulling the front axle for rebuild. Well here are a few of the pics I took.

One of the wheels.


Patch panels


The block, it has never been bored so I have a good start.



and everyone has seen a gasket kit so I won't bother with that one. Until the next update, enjoy.

[47thriftmaster]

Forgot the bottom end of the block

[VA72C10]

wheels look great!

[SleepyK5]

Making progress and rims turned out nice! Glad the block looks good!

[jamie72]

good blazer to start out with.. i checked it out the last tim i was down to Tim`s.
looks like its starting to come togeather!

[K5Danny]

Great project!! I bought a 72 K5 from a friend a couple months ago and I love it like a family member! Mine needs a lot of work as well, but it's in pretty good shape for the most part. I'm going to start restoring mine as soon as I find the time and money, but I'm in no hurry since it's in running condition. Even though the rockers are eaten up with rust, it still turns heads riding around with the top off. I'll create a thread and post some pics soon.

[Littletony]

Good to see there is another blazer in NC.

[SleepyK5]

I have a 1972 outer grille in good condition if you need one!

[47thriftmaster]

Thanks, but I don't need one I actually have two sitting in the garage. Work has been a little slow on the Blazer, working to much and it's been really hot out. Will have a full update this weekend I hope.

Originally Posted by SleepyK5

I have a 1972 outer grille in good condition if you need one!

[47thriftmaster]

Not much of an update as far as working on the blazer goes. Got the front axle pulled and tearing it down, for rebuild, also rebuilding the springs. The axle has a lot of things seized on it so may replace it, I will see. Sent out some things to get coated, will get pics of them later when I have more time. Last weekend I picked up a bed in much better shape then mine, will start tearing into that this week I hope.

Here is the new, and I use that word loosely, bed.


The axle so far.


Now to my dilemma, I was given a set of 5 original steels in 15x6 in decent shape. These are what I was looking for a while back, then the opportunity came about to get 4 15x8 wheels (thanks to PICKMUP), so I jumped on that. Had them powder coated and they turned out beautiful and I was set. But now that I have the 15x6's and they are on my build sheet, I'm thinking of using them. Truth be told I really want to use them, but I have a lot of money into powder coating the other wheels. So do I try to sell them to cover coating the others or just try to keep them? I'm not sure yet. Here is a reminder of the wheels and the new ones. let me know what you think.

[47thriftmaster]

Also picked up some fenders that are in better shape then the one I had. The trim will get pulled and sold at a later date, but the fenders are in good shape and will be easy to adapt to the Blazer.

[Threadbaron]

Good job on the build, I look forward to following it. Coming from another NC 72 Blazer man!

[ntd]

wow I sure don't miss the east coast rust.
here is a website for a parts store out here, they have everything !!!!
www.truckandcarshop.com

are you trying to restore this truck to stock or gettin a little wild with it ?
I have a '72 that I am putting a big block into
I got rid of my top and run it with a bikini top all the time but then again I live in san diego and it is sunny and 70 here all the time.
I've been building blazers for years so let me know if you have any questions....

[ntd]

use both sets of wheels
get some skinny tires for the 15x6 and use em in the snow

[47thriftmaster]

Originally Posted by ntd

use both sets of wheels
get some skinny tires for the 15x6 and use em in the snow

Thought about that, but figured I'd be better off going with one or the other, less tires to buy. The plan is to look stock with a few mods to it, it will not be a concourse build but as original as I can get.

[47thriftmaster]

Moving forward on the build. Finished pulling both axles, all springs, then the frame. It was tricky getting the frame out, since it's just me, but I got it done. Solved my dilemma on the wheels, the 15x8 wheels will be listed for sale. Will get the 15x6 wheels blasted then checked and powder coated. I plan to get the frame blaster as well, I really just need to get a portable blaster, and get it coated as well. At the moment I have two options on the frame 1) powder coat it. or 2) have it coated with U-POR liner, sanded, then painted to match the other parts. Option 2 is a few hundred cheaper then then option 1, but if I chip something it's easier to fix. Your opinions are welcomed on that one.

Ok, on with some pics.

This was my surprise when I pulled the rear axle.


The frame out.




Also started re-doing the springs, will have two sets to make one good set.


That is it for the moment.

[1972_K5]

I like the rear brake setup that the po had installed. The drums will last a long time like that...
Also since you have the spring packs apart you might consider replacing the thick shortest leaf with two thinner leaves stepped down in length. It will soften up the ride a bit.

[47thriftmaster]

Good suggestion, will look into that when I get to that point. Still have to go pick up the second set of springs, hope to do that next weekend. Thanks.

Well the rear axle, and frame are ready to go to the blaster. Here is the empty housing. Oh, by the way another surprise, the rear gears were updated to richmond gears. The part I didn't get was the gears are 3.73 ratio for the rear and the stock 3.07 ratio for the front. Also looking up the gear on Richmond's site, it's a car gear set not for trucks. I imagine that part will be fine and it does still have the stock posi in it, which is a bonus.

[2003 silverado]

following this

[ntd]

a little something on the gears, my blaze came equipped with .373 gears and the factory posi in the rear. I have the granny 4-speed and on the highway I'm turning 3-3200 rpm (no Bueno)
I picked up .308 gears with a auburn posi carrier from the local junk yard, should be just right and with the power from the big block no problem turning the taller gears..grunt grunt

[47thriftmaster]

Thanks for the info. What are your plans with the factory front and rear gears, once you make the switch? I'm keeping it small block, so that would be to high of a gear. Thinking with the set up 3.73 may just be good.

Originally Posted by ntd

a little something on the gears, my blaze came equipped with .373 gears and the factory posi in the rear. I have the granny 4-speed and on the highway I'm turning 3-3200 rpm (no Bueno)
I picked up .308 gears with a auburn posi carrier from the local junk yard, should be just right and with the power from the big block no problem turning the taller gears..grunt grunt