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'72 K5 - AJ's Gray Matter Build

Nice progress AJ! Hopefully you can drive it soon.

That is odd, what did you use for thread sealer the first time?

The sealer should seal in the deck, shouldn't matter if its a stud or a bolt. If a bolt fixed it that likely means the thread sealer wasn't working or was contaminated and the bolt head clamping force stopped the leak.

I always make sure the threads in the block are clean and dry. (thread chaser by hand or wire pipe cleaner in a drill). Then I use the PTFE thread sealer from permatex, comes in a little white bottle with an applicator brush attached under the cap. I used to use the coppercoat that came in a can with a little applicator ball attached under the cap, but you can't find that stuff any more. (only spray on)

Greg, you probably don't have to worry about it, I believe the Gen VI blocks are blind head bolt holes, no leak path. If your block has through holes you need PTFE sealer, if it has blind holes you can just use oil to lube the threads (just a little, not too much). I like the PTFE because it allows retorque without leaking since it doesn't really harden.
 
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Nice progress AJ! Hopefully you can drive it soon.

That is odd, what did you use for thread sealer the first time?

The sealer should seal in the deck, shouldn't matter if its a stud or a bolt. If a bolt fixed it that likely means the thread sealer wasn't working or was contaminated and the bolt head clamping force stopped the leak.

I ran all the holes with a tap and I used ARP thread sealant. It was weird Heath. Although I seem to remember backing out a few studs by a turn so they were sitting at the same height. I wonder now if those were the ones leaking.

I'm working the punch list heavily this week (updates forthcoming when I have time). I've been asked to bring it to Carfest San Antonio this weekend. We'll see if it makes it...
 
I'm going to be realistic and hope for some pictures/videos of it on the road after you get beck from the car show. (y)
 
Made it! Poser with Home Depot bucket classiness.
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It's in pretty good company. And yes, that's my daughter.
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Details to come when I catch up
 
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Every time you post photos of your daughter, i always think back to that first picture of her as a little kid hiolding one of your new Blazer shocks..... :yikes:

It always reminds me how long you (and so many of us 1st Gen guys) have been at these builds.


Looks great buddy! :waytogo:


-G
 
As long as some of us are taking it will be something like "Wow, nice pic of your Daughter standing next to your Blazer and she still looks like she's 10... umm that's my Granddaughter". :haha:
 
As long as some of us are taking it will be something like "Wow, nice pic of your Daughter standing next to your Blazer and she still looks like she's 10... umm that's my Granddaughter". :haha:


It would be funnier if it weren't so true.

-G
 
4/4/17 - Checking off the punch list. Catchup post from the weekend's show.

Bought a second new carpet set. First set was from Trim Parts... a "restoration" carpet. But, I discovered it needs carpet strips front and rear of the cargo area. Additionally, the front carpet isn't molded well in my opinion. I think it would fit well with adhesive, but I didn't feel good about spraying the front pan with glue. So...I bought a set from ACC through Stockinteriors.com. Much better fit, in my opinion. Got the rear carpet in and the rear set installed
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Trans hump installed and test fit the shifters. I used a plain Lokar knob for the xfer case shifter. Drilled and retapped it for the 205 shifter.
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Front carpet installed, shifter bezel, and boots. Damn that came out nice. Super happy with this. Small details like the chrome and matching shifter angles while in park.
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Seats and console in.
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Pulled it into the sunlight for the first time in a year and a half
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Mind you, at this point, the rear perches aren't welded. Drove it really slow to the shop to get that done. Yes, I still outsource my welding.
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Drove it home. Felt really good to just drive it. Spent the next two days washing, waxing, clay barring, waxing, and vacuuming. Cruised it to the show downtown. Speedo said I was holding 70 easy.... dad (chasing me) says I was doing 80 the whole way. Need to calibrate. :doah:

Show was fun (see previous post for pics). While leaving to drive home, laid into the skinny pedal a bit and Avery (my daughter) felt her first :burnout:. I got a "WHAT WAS THAT?!" response. Lifted on the gas because it started getting sideways in the parking lot. Unfortunately, no pics.

Local club is putting on a huge show this weekend and asked me come. Kinda cool. Once we get past this show,:burnout: pics and vid will be forthcoming.
 
Was pleased w/ my ACC carpets also. Seemed to be well molded. Liked the shifter boots you got going on there. Need to figure something out for mine - kinda hacked looking right now.
 
I designed it and had it made by Front Panel Express. The transmission shifter dimensions match those of a Lokar bezel, but then integrated the transfer case shifter
Is that a local shop to you or did you measure it up and send them the dimensions? I ask because I really want to do the same for my shifter set up.
 
Is that a local shop to you or did you measure it up and send them the dimensions? I ask because I really want to do the same for my shifter set up.

Not local. They're an online company that does electrical panels out of a variety of non-ferrous materials. They have software you download and design you panel.....sorta CAD-like, there's a CAD import function. When you order, it submits your design to them. I made it work for what I needed on the shifters. But, I also used them for the switch panel on the console...see post #554.

http://www.frontpanelexpress.com/
 
4/8/17 - First real car show. Brought the truck to its first legit car show yesterday. I was originally gonna just hang out with the club putting on the show, lining the Blazer up with their cars. Spur of the moment as I was parking, I decided to enter it into the show. There were about 150 cars there. Lots of really nice stuff.

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I think the bling on the air cleaner only helped
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Long day in the sun, but the truck apparently showed well. Took 1st place in the 60-79 truck class
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Need to make some adjustments on the transmission shifter. Gates aren't lined up with the tranny detents. And have an oil leak on the passenger side somewhere that appears to show up on hard acceleration.

Once I figure out the deal with those, :burnout:video will be forthcoming.
 

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