Project Blazilla - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Mr Banshee** · 12-17-2014, 03:41 PM

Been a member of this site for over a year now and found this a wealth of knowledge in addition a great resource for parts for my 72 K5 4x4 build and just wanted to say thanks to members that I have been in contact.

I purchased this truck about 2 years ago. What caught my attention was the Big Block in it with ¾ ton running gear. I looked past a lot of the rust on the structure and over all considering its 40+ years old, its more than restorable.

That’s about where the good stuff ends as it has had 40 years of mis-engineered and rigging. Everything has been touched and it is far from safe. I figured I would start a build thread and share it with others. I pulled the engine out about six months ago to remove the badly damaged engine cross member and replaced it with a DIY4X unit. Got some pictures of process.

swyfor5 · 12-17-2014, 04:44 PM

Welcome to the board! Looks like a nice start for your build. Been looking at the DIY4X4 crossmember for a long time. Need to pick one up before I swap in my 383 stroker motor. What are your plans for your build? Lift, tires/wheels, back to stock look or custom?

**Mr Banshee** · 12-17-2014, 06:24 PM

Thanks for review! Currently building the 402 which I'll post some pics. It has 33's for tires now and I believe its a 6" inch Super lift as there is evidence of the name on some of the components. I would like to keep the 6 inch lift or what ever it is as I like the stance. May go with 35's but debating on that. Plan is for now is to finish the Big Block and going to replace the Turbo 350 with a 400 that I have. After that, make mechanically sound and move on to the structure of it.

swyfor5 · 12-17-2014, 07:06 PM

Sounds good! Keep us all posted and take lot's of pic's! Ran a 4" lift w 35" BFG's w trimmed fenders for a long time, and loved the way it worked.

**Mr Banshee** · 12-31-2014, 09:29 PM

Finally finished the Big Block 402 assembly. Here are some pictures during the assembly:

notsolo · 12-31-2014, 10:12 PM

Engine looks Great !

jjzepplin · 01-19-2015, 07:08 AM

WOW! Give a guy a torch and watch him ruin some stuff. Still amazed at how many unsafe rides may be headed right at you on the freeway etc. That looks like a real nice new member though. I have the same rust beginning on my rear section. How hard is it to get to?
Swapping out that th350 to a th400 will require some machining to the 205 case for a larger input bearing and th400 input shaft or a th400 case. 350's can be made to handle some good torque... Just sayin what you prolly already know.
Gonna be a nice ride if you keep this up.

**Mr Banshee** · 01-25-2015, 05:28 PM

Here more pictures of the other body mounts:

Chulisohombre · 01-25-2015, 07:17 PM

Nice mounts. Can't believe what some people will do sometimes.

**Mr Banshee** · 01-25-2015, 07:42 PM

Agreed. I didn't snap a photo of the rad core support mounts but the Yahoo had 1/2 nuts threaded on the 7/16 carriage bolts. Structure underneath is worse than thought but I can fix it. Was hoping just to do the mounts for now and put the engine back in but this will have to be addressed first. Waiting for the weather to break and coming up with plan to start on the structure. Meanwhile got my headers installed on my mockup engine. These hooker headers fit well. Only area that I ran into was the passenger side spring hanger. Clearanced the collector today. Have about 5/8 clearance between the shackle bolt and the header collector. You really can't see from the picture but the hangers are badly twisted. Going to order some ORD heavy duty hangers and recheck the header clearance then send them off for coating.

Chulisohombre · 01-25-2015, 08:08 PM

Looks good. I have the ord shackles as well. They are tough. And I like that they are using a bigger bolt through them. Seems much stronger. Can't believe how week the stock ones look next to them. Don't even seem strong enough but after 40 years they were still hanging on.

72K5CSTDarkOlive · 09-02-2015, 08:29 PM

Meanwhile got my headers installed on my mockup engine. These hooker headers fit well. Only area that I ran into was the passenger side spring hanger. Clearanced the collector today. Have about 5/8 clearance between the shackle bolt and the header collector. You really can't see from the picture but the hangers are badly twisted. Going to order some ORD heavy duty hangers and recheck the header clearance then send them off for coating.[/QUOTE]

I'm running a set of Doug Thorley's and a set of ORD shackles. The pass side shackle hanger (lower bolt) rubbed directly up against my collector.. It was too late to send them back so I cut about 1 an 1/2" of the end of the collector and then rotated the collector about 45 degrees to make sure the point that sticks out the furthest away from the collector.

Keep in mind the ORD shackles are much thcker than stock so with 5/8 clearance you might be cutting it close. Hopefully you don't run into the same issue as I.

Will be following along. Nice build so far

04sshd · 09-01-2015, 02:20 PM

Nice work, keep the pics coming!

Chulisohombre · 09-02-2015, 08:04 AM

Looks like it sits pretty good. You're gettin there.

**Mr Banshee** · 09-02-2015, 08:12 AM

Long way to go still. Next up rework the firewall seam to floor. Good portion of the seam is rotted. Need to dial in the rear attachment to step-up plate but I'm about 85% there. I'll post some detailed pictures as I move along. I'm slow going at it. Many projects around the house to do but Sunday's I dedicate to the truck!

Chulisohombre · 09-02-2015, 08:20 AM

I had to shape my front floor Pans as well. They are close but not perfect. With that passenger side you have to figure out the holes for the rear mount as well if you plan on using the stock seats.

**Mr Banshee** · 09-02-2015, 08:35 AM

I noticed that as well with the new pan. I figured between the floor stamping and the sagging of the structure on the truck these tolerances stacked up where it would not meet correctly. Most of the gaps will be easily fixed this I have to cut out the seam and fab some new metal to the firewall. For the seat mounting, my pan was setup for a bench seat so the holes will need to be moved. I removed the center support brace from my old pan to install on the new one. The passenger side seat bracket on the bottom of the cab floor for the rear was badly compromised with rust. I will need to fab a new support plate for this. Figured once I get the cab floor mounting dialed in. There will be a lot of hole filling and relocating, support plates added before I burn the pan into the chassis.

12-17-2014, 03:41 PM	#1
Mr Banshee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 223	Project Blazilla Been a member of this site for over a year now and found this a wealth of knowledge in addition a great resource for parts for my 72 K5 4x4 build and just wanted to say thanks to members that I have been in contact. I purchased this truck about 2 years ago. What caught my attention was the Big Block in it with ¾ ton running gear. I looked past a lot of the rust on the structure and over all considering its 40+ years old, its more than restorable. That’s about where the good stuff ends as it has had 40 years of mis-engineered and rigging. Everything has been touched and it is far from safe. I figured I would start a build thread and share it with others. I pulled the engine out about six months ago to remove the badly damaged engine cross member and replaced it with a DIY4X unit. Got some pictures of process. Attached Images

12-17-2014, 04:44 PM	#2
swyfor5 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Marion, Mi. Posts: 2,429	Re: Project Blazilla Welcome to the board! Looks like a nice start for your build. Been looking at the DIY4X4 crossmember for a long time. Need to pick one up before I swap in my 383 stroker motor. What are your plans for your build? Lift, tires/wheels, back to stock look or custom?

12-17-2014, 06:24 PM	#3
Mr Banshee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 223	Re: Project Blazilla Thanks for review! Currently building the 402 which I'll post some pics. It has 33's for tires now and I believe its a 6" inch Super lift as there is evidence of the name on some of the components. I would like to keep the 6 inch lift or what ever it is as I like the stance. May go with 35's but debating on that. Plan is for now is to finish the Big Block and going to replace the Turbo 350 with a 400 that I have. After that, make mechanically sound and move on to the structure of it.

12-17-2014, 07:06 PM	#4
swyfor5 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Marion, Mi. Posts: 2,429	Re: Project Blazilla Sounds good! Keep us all posted and take lot's of pic's! Ran a 4" lift w 35" BFG's w trimmed fenders for a long time, and loved the way it worked.

12-31-2014, 09:29 PM	#5
Mr Banshee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 223	Re: Project Blazilla Finally finished the Big Block 402 assembly. Here are some pictures during the assembly: Attached Images

12-31-2014, 10:12 PM	#6
notsolo Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Md Posts: 2,451	Re: Project Blazilla Engine looks Great !

01-19-2015, 07:08 AM	#7
jjzepplin Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Ruskin Florida Posts: 4,546	Re: Project Blazilla WOW! Give a guy a torch and watch him ruin some stuff. Still amazed at how many unsafe rides may be headed right at you on the freeway etc. That looks like a real nice new member though. I have the same rust beginning on my rear section. How hard is it to get to? Swapping out that th350 to a th400 will require some machining to the 205 case for a larger input bearing and th400 input shaft or a th400 case. 350's can be made to handle some good torque... Just sayin what you prolly already know. Gonna be a nice ride if you keep this up. __________________ 70 swb 4x4 406sbc 700r4 203/205 d60/14blt locker yadda yadda http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...88#post6935688 Yeller 72 Blazer 2wd conversion project "No Daggum Money" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=550804 LS1-T56 3.73 LSD super budget build Blanco-2014 Sierra SWB https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=810350

01-25-2015, 05:28 PM	#8
Mr Banshee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 223	Re: Project Blazilla Here more pictures of the other body mounts: Attached Images

01-25-2015, 07:17 PM	#9
Chulisohombre Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Bangor pa Posts: 1,223	Re: Project Blazilla Nice mounts. Can't believe what some people will do sometimes. __________________ 72 3/4 ton blazer. 5 inch lift on 35 inch tires. 355 corvette engine with crane roller rockers, rv cam, edelbrock carb and intake with one inch spacer. Thrush Headers with flowmaster 40 duels. 4speed sm465 manual. 4 wheel disk brakes with Inboarded rear shock prerunner style mounts and shocks.

01-25-2015, 07:42 PM	#10
Mr Banshee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 223	Re: Project Blazilla Agreed. I didn't snap a photo of the rad core support mounts but the Yahoo had 1/2 nuts threaded on the 7/16 carriage bolts. Structure underneath is worse than thought but I can fix it. Was hoping just to do the mounts for now and put the engine back in but this will have to be addressed first. Waiting for the weather to break and coming up with plan to start on the structure. Meanwhile got my headers installed on my mockup engine. These hooker headers fit well. Only area that I ran into was the passenger side spring hanger. Clearanced the collector today. Have about 5/8 clearance between the shackle bolt and the header collector. You really can't see from the picture but the hangers are badly twisted. Going to order some ORD heavy duty hangers and recheck the header clearance then send them off for coating. Attached Images

01-25-2015, 08:08 PM	#11
Chulisohombre Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Bangor pa Posts: 1,223	Re: Project Blazilla Looks good. I have the ord shackles as well. They are tough. And I like that they are using a bigger bolt through them. Seems much stronger. Can't believe how week the stock ones look next to them. Don't even seem strong enough but after 40 years they were still hanging on. __________________ 72 3/4 ton blazer. 5 inch lift on 35 inch tires. 355 corvette engine with crane roller rockers, rv cam, edelbrock carb and intake with one inch spacer. Thrush Headers with flowmaster 40 duels. 4speed sm465 manual. 4 wheel disk brakes with Inboarded rear shock prerunner style mounts and shocks.

09-02-2015, 08:29 PM	#12
72K5CSTDarkOlive Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 774	Re: Project Blazilla Meanwhile got my headers installed on my mockup engine. These hooker headers fit well. Only area that I ran into was the passenger side spring hanger. Clearanced the collector today. Have about 5/8 clearance between the shackle bolt and the header collector. You really can't see from the picture but the hangers are badly twisted. Going to order some ORD heavy duty hangers and recheck the header clearance then send them off for coating.[/QUOTE] I'm running a set of Doug Thorley's and a set of ORD shackles. The pass side shackle hanger (lower bolt) rubbed directly up against my collector.. It was too late to send them back so I cut about 1 an 1/2" of the end of the collector and then rotated the collector about 45 degrees to make sure the point that sticks out the furthest away from the collector. Keep in mind the ORD shackles are much thcker than stock so with 5/8 clearance you might be cutting it close. Hopefully you don't run into the same issue as I. Will be following along. Nice build so far __________________ My Build Thread 72 K5 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=628612 Build version 2.0: 72 K5 6.0 LQ9, 4L80e, NP205 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=793192 ____________________________________________ 1972 CST K5 Blazer Dark Olive

09-01-2015, 02:20 PM	#13
04sshd Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 120	Re: Project Blazilla Nice work, keep the pics coming! __________________ 1968 Chevy C-10 Suburban - 350/350 1969 Chevy C-10 Panel Delivery - 454/400 1972 GMC K1500 Jimmy - 350/350/np205 1978 Chevy Corvette Silver 25th Anniversary reddit.com/r/chevyc10 <-Join it!

09-02-2015, 08:04 AM	#14
Chulisohombre Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Bangor pa Posts: 1,223	Re: Project Blazilla Looks like it sits pretty good. You're gettin there. __________________ 72 3/4 ton blazer. 5 inch lift on 35 inch tires. 355 corvette engine with crane roller rockers, rv cam, edelbrock carb and intake with one inch spacer. Thrush Headers with flowmaster 40 duels. 4speed sm465 manual. 4 wheel disk brakes with Inboarded rear shock prerunner style mounts and shocks.

09-02-2015, 08:12 AM	#15
Mr Banshee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 223	Re: Project Blazilla Long way to go still. Next up rework the firewall seam to floor. Good portion of the seam is rotted. Need to dial in the rear attachment to step-up plate but I'm about 85% there. I'll post some detailed pictures as I move along. I'm slow going at it. Many projects around the house to do but Sunday's I dedicate to the truck!



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09-02-2015, 08:20 AM	#16
Chulisohombre Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Bangor pa Posts: 1,223	Re: Project Blazilla I had to shape my front floor Pans as well. They are close but not perfect. With that passenger side you have to figure out the holes for the rear mount as well if you plan on using the stock seats. __________________ 72 3/4 ton blazer. 5 inch lift on 35 inch tires. 355 corvette engine with crane roller rockers, rv cam, edelbrock carb and intake with one inch spacer. Thrush Headers with flowmaster 40 duels. 4speed sm465 manual. 4 wheel disk brakes with Inboarded rear shock prerunner style mounts and shocks.

09-02-2015, 08:35 AM	#17
Mr Banshee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Warren, Michigan Posts: 223	Re: Project Blazilla I noticed that as well with the new pan. I figured between the floor stamping and the sagging of the structure on the truck these tolerances stacked up where it would not meet correctly. Most of the gaps will be easily fixed this I have to cut out the seam and fab some new metal to the firewall. For the seat mounting, my pan was setup for a bench seat so the holes will need to be moved. I removed the center support brace from my old pan to install on the new one. The passenger side seat bracket on the bottom of the cab floor for the rear was badly compromised with rust. I will need to fab a new support plate for this. Figured once I get the cab floor mounting dialed in. There will be a lot of hole filling and relocating, support plates added before I burn the pan into the chassis.

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