Palf's Little Blue Jimmy

[smbrouss70]

Glad you and Jan came Bill! I had a great time!

[LT7A]

You have been getting some good travel and use of the rig. That Offy intake is cool!

[MrFinland]

You have nice Truck Bill. By the way, you have also nice "license plate"!

[Palf70Step]

While I had some downtime, I decided to get to the electrical (again). Pulled out the dash and started the setup on the replacement gauge cluster. Cleaned the gauge bucket up, painted the inside and the back of the front panel gloss white. I also added some LEDs to replace the stock bulbs. Fixed a few issues with the circuit board, found a bad splice joint on the power feed from the fuse box to the gauges and a bad headlight switch. I also had to readjust the ignition switch position so when it is off it isn't supplying ACC power to the ign leads.

While I was working on the cluster I decided to move the stereo to the stock location since it was already behind my radio delete panel. I did tweak the position some and trimmed the bezel so I could remove the bezel without having to pull the stereo.

Everything is back in place and seems to work. I need to replace the oil pressure sensor and I think the gauge will respond right.

Man, finding broke grounds and power leads took me a week, but things seem to be good again. Clean her up tomorrow, and back to driving it some more.

[OutlawDrifter]

Nice work Bill, looks like a great improvement!

[Greenlee]

Nice work! Those LED bulbs make a huge difference. One of the best mods you can do to these trucks. I could barely see the gauges at night before.

[Grizz1963]

Morning from my still warm bed here in England, Bill.

Been awake since stupid-0-clock, and reading threads I missed before or have not been on for a while.

My new to me 79 Blazer thread is almost up to date on here now too, last few days reporting updates to go. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=774451

But reading your thread, I am wanting a Square body stepper, but also realised that I may have to remove my carpets and refresh the rotted insulation and sound deadening.

I love the way you approach the Stepper. Bit by bit.

Lessons learned every day.

[Palf70Step]

Finally, I have all gauges working and dash functioning. I had to replace front turn signal/park lamp socket as it would noit ground the circuit. With that fixed this morning, I decided to replace the super faded side marker lenses also. Then it was drive time. Roaming around the bayous and all was nice and peaceful. So the 81 seems to be all together (for now), so now I have to troubleshoot/fix some heater and coolant issues on Whitey. It never ends

[OutlawDrifter]

It's always nice to get the "little things" done!

[moregrip]

that is one nice looking rig!

[Palf70Step]

Thank you guys. Been using it for a daily driver lately as my 02, Whitey, quit putting out heat and was leaking at water pump. I think I got Whitey all flushed out and parts replaced so the GMC can get his house back.

[Palf70Step]

Been working on other stuff and mostly just using this one as a daily driver. After spending the morning delivering several loads of Angel Tree gifts, I decided to add a bit of bling to the 81. For the GMC, they only reproduced the "M" of the original style grill letters. I kind of wanted folks to know it were not a Chebby. So I found some emblems off some newer SUVs. I picked up several, but I believe this one came off of the rear of one of the recent car style SUVs. Cleaned up the grill and I had some good 3M trim tape, so cut some up, aligned her up and now she show her lineage up front.

I am still debating on a aftermarket tube grill, but for now this should do.

[OutlawDrifter]

That looks good Bill! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[Grizz1963]

Still in two minds about what badge to fit to my Blazer. Chevy or fake news GMC.


Your badge is actually real subtle Bill.

Works for me.

[Palf70Step]

I am guessing it did not like the run to Baton Rouge and back Saturday, as this happening today. Think the head-gasket is leaking/gone. Waiting for it to cool down and troubleshoot.

[62 short step]

Sorry to hear that Bill.

Good time for a motor swap!

[Grizz1963]

Poop.

Not good.

Hope it’s minimal hassle.

[smbrouss70]

https://www.jegs.com/i/Chevrolet-Per...622K4/10002/-1
It has almost as much torque as that straight 6!

[62 short step]

There ya go Bill!!

[Palf70Step]

Got tied up with other things, but there does not appear to be water/coolant in the oil, but coolant was about a gallon low. I can't see any external leaks. I will pull plugs in the morning to see if I can see which cylinder(s) might have water and check compression.. Since this integrated head is know to have issues, I am hoping that is the issue and I'll just do my conversion to early style head sooner.

My pocket book definitely does not have funds for that stuff Steven & Jeremy. I like my little in-liner and want to stay with it, but I do know where there is a good running 350.

[Palf70Step]

Well got at it early this morning. Started pulling the plugs. #6 was first and it looked damp. The other 5 looked very clean and normal. So I hooked up the remote starter and cranked the engine. Soon as I did # 6 was spitting out small amounts of water/stuff. All others were clean. So tore down things to get the head off. A 6 popper head is HEAVY to lift out of the engine bay yourself, just sayin.🤓

The rear 2 head bolts didn't feel as snug as the rest, but with the head off the engine itself looks clean to me (well way cleaner than the outside). No water was in the cylinder other than a drop or two.

Again head looks clean except for #6. Ran a strait edge and it seems to be straight. The head gasket was a bit deteriorated around # 6, so I am assuming that is the issue. I noticed some issues with the exhaust manifold, beside breaking off some bolts in it.

Rest of the engine looks good, so right now my plan is to keep the 6 and do the head swap to the older style non-integrated head. I have a 4bbl Offenhauser intake and a Holley carb, but will need to get some headers. I will have to see what other brackets I will need for the head swap. Since it will take a while to gather funds and parts, I think I will pull the block and regasket everything and clean the engine bay up while I am waiting.

Looks like no driving for a while.

[smbrouss70]

I'll send you some pics of what I have when I get home this weekend so you can decide if you want to drive to my house or not.

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by smbrouss70

I'll send you some pics of what I have when I get home this weekend so you can decide if you want to drive to my house or not.

Thank You Steve. That sounds good.

[Grizz1963]

Happy Birthday Bill

Here’s to a great year.


Thanks for your forum input everywhere

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Grizz1963

Happy Birthday Bill

Here’s to a great year.


Thanks for your forum input everywhere

Thank you Grizz, haul'n some recycling, then looking at some car parts to start the day