tjs 72 Blazer Build

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by DeadheadNM

Just a heads-up - you may know this but if the block is decked at the machine shop you'll loose the engine code, which is nice to keep if the block is OEM.

Yes. Thanks I'm very happy people are following along and taking an interest. Best thing about this forum.
I guess I've never said before but I'm going to use a late model OE roller block with one pc rms. The engine in my Blazer isn't factory. The second owner (previous to me) did an Engine swap. He had a '72 K10 that he was swapping to a big block and he put the 350 out of it in to this Blazer. I guess it was in better shape. Original block is gone. So it is a period correct '72 truck motor in there now but not the right serial. No matter to me as I was already intending on putting in a stroker. The change to a modern 5spd and some other subtle updates is already moving away from factory correct. Its what I wanted with this build.

[Senorx]

Any updates? Just start following this one.

[tjsblazer]

Sorry no updates for a while. It was a very busy summer with the family. Any time I had was spent on my Engine build. Now that it is finishing up I can get back to the truck. I'll post some more over the next month. I just got the frame to the powder coaters over the weekend. I hope to get Assembling by the end of the month.

[tjsblazer]

Been a while since I posted anything it has been slooooooowww progress. Took a lot of time ( for me anyways ) fitting the modified driveline with the NV4500 5spd and newer round pattern NP205. Then drilling new engine crossmember holes and welding in and grinding the original location as well as filling and grinding a couple of other "non-factory" holes.

Axles are getting rebuilt now with a new posi unit, gears, axles, etc, etc. Won't be done for another couple of weeks. Realistically with the holiday season coming up, I probably won't get axles hung or driveline in until January.

First pic is going to power coating, second is with it finished coating.

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[notsolo]

Good things take time!.... Happy Holidays..

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by tjsblazer

Been a while since I posted anything it has been slooooooowww progress. Took a lot of time ( for me anyways ) fitting the modified driveline with the NV4500 5spd and newer round pattern NP205. Then drilling new engine crossmember holes and welding in and grinding the original location as well as filling and grinding a couple of other "non-factory" holes.

Axles are getting rebuilt now with a new posi unit, gears, axles, etc, etc. Won't be done for another couple of weeks. Realistically with the holiday season coming up, I probably won't get axles hung or driveline in until January.

First pic is going to power coating, second is with it finished coating.

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

Do you mind sharing how much it cost to have the frame powder coated? I'm going to have mine done soon.

Thanks,
Mike

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by 72K5CSTDarkOlive

Do you mind sharing how much it cost to have the frame powder coated? I'm going to have mine done soon.

Thanks,
Mike

Well I'm in Canada which I'm sure means it cost more but I paid $600. This was all blasting and powder coating but not just the frame and crossmembers. I also had 32 other loose parts (steering parts, spring brackets, skid plate, bumper brkts, fuel tank brkts, etc, etc). The company I used is a very reputable place. They do a lot of OE work. (such as Front knuckes for Ford pickups, Waterpump castings for CAT heavy equipment among others).

[jimbosprint]

Nice build. I hope you paint it ochre.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by tjsblazer

Well I'm in Canada which I'm sure means it cost more but I paid $600. This was all blasting and powder coating but not just the frame and crossmembers. I also had 32 other loose parts (steering parts, spring brackets, skid plate, bumper brkts, fuel tank brkts, etc, etc). The company I used is a very reputable place. They do a lot of OE work. (such as Front knuckes for Ford pickups, Waterpump castings for CAT heavy equipment among others).

That's a great deal in my opinion. I've been quoted 750 just for the frame. I do live in Silicon Valley (AKA Rip Off city)

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by jimbosprint

Nice build. I hope you paint it ochre.

I'm not even close to deciding the color. I wish I could make up my mind. I think my painter is getting tired of painting me test panels ...

[tjsblazer]

So here is a picture of the Engine completed build. This is what took most of my time up the past several months.
Ready to drop in the frame now. Hopefully shortly after the Holidays. Full details and lots of rebuild pics in the Engine build thread in my signature.

[IMG][/IMG]

[notsolo]

Impressive Engine build, are you still planning to go with a manual trans? If so how did you find correct spot for clutch push rod thru floor.

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by notsolo

Impressive Engine build, are you still planning to go with a manual trans? If so how did you find correct spot for clutch push rod thru floor.

Great question but I'll have to get back to you.
I plan on mocking that up in January before the firewall gets painted. I am going to use a Wilwood Girling style master cylinder and fab a pushrod/heim joint. There is flat spot on the firewall where it should fit pretty much inline with the factory clutch pedal. I am going to be running Hydratech brakes so it is much slimmer than the factory vaccuum booster.
I'll take some pics after I'm done.

Are you too going to a hydraulic clutch?

[notsolo]

No, I just collected the parts for the linkage.

[tjsblazer]

Some slow progress. Just trying to get everything rebuilt and refinished so I can maybe actually bolt something back together.

Rear Axle rebuild:
Stripped bare and then acid dipped the whole housing. Welded the axle tubes to the center section. All new posi, gears, bearings, seals, and alloy axles. Changed to 1/2" wheel studs. Etch primed and then single stage Imron paint.

[tjsblazer]

Front Axle:
Stripped bare and then acid dipped the whole housing. All new gears, bearings, seals. Etch primed and then single stage Imron paint.

[tjsblazer]

Got the NP205 transfer case stripped bare. Ran it through the media blaster. I'm painting it Chevy orange same as the engine block. Hopefully can get it back together over the next week.

[tjsblazer]

Got a set of custom Alcan 2" springs.
Fronts are 8 leaf, Rears are 10 leaf and I had the axle pin set back slightly to help align the tire in the wheel well better than stock. They put double military style wraps on all the front position eyes but this thing will never see rough off road.

[tjsblazer]

Today I got the tailstock of the NV4500 transmission machined. You need to clearance it in 3 spots so it will bolt up to a round pattern NP205 transfer case. Enlarge the opening to fit the front retainer on the transfer case input, clearance for the one transfer case shifter rail and a small corner at the bottom for the idler shaft nut on the front of the transfer case.
Also managed to get some transfer case parts in primer.

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[GMC-YA68]

you are doing everything the "right" way the first time... Looking good.

[tjsblazer]

Originally Posted by GMC-YA68

you are doing everything the "right" way the first time... Looking good.

Thanks, It definitely take a lot of time when you get down to every nut and bolt. (having 3 kids 12 and under leaves little truck time at the end of the day).

[tjsblazer]

Small steps. Got my lockout dials "refurbished".

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[IronCanine]

Those look great!

[tjsblazer]

A little Chevy Orange. I know it should be some Red color but I wanted it to match the engine block.

This is a NP205 out of an 89 Chevy 1 ton. I needed the 6 bolt round mounting pattern instead of the 8 bolt race track pattern so that it would be a straight bolt up to the NV 4500 tranny.

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[72blaz]

Looking Great!...Following