CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

'72 K5 - AJ's Gray Matter Build

Don't get to far in the dumps over it AJ, that isn't a huge deal and is fairly easy to remedy. http://store.summitracing.com/partd...319392+4294908188+4294889122+115&autoview=sku


Does the motor have a cam button? If it does then it needs to go in the garbage.

Just have the cam gear machined to fit the thrust plate and all will be well.

I have a friend who builds dragsters and engines for a living...he was gonna help me time the cam when he saw the damage. He recommeded tearing down the block to mill it back smooth, and then put a plate like that on it.

However, the #8 intake and exhaust cam lobes are getting flat...and he noticed wear on the pushrods that indicate flexing. We don't know for sure what the cylinders and pistons look like, but with the block torn down all the way it turns into one of those "might as well" scenarios... And yes, it does/did have a cam button. He thinks they took off the thrust washer because the assembly may not have fit behind the timing cover....as opposed to just machining down the button.
 
UPDATE 06/07/09: Coming back from the dead.

I've been quietly searching for an engine to build to replace the purple 454. I found a smokin deal on racingjunk for everything to build the engine except the heads. Picked it all up today.

454_parts.jpg


Here's the basics:
BBC 454 bored 30 over
Flat top pistons
Erson Cam (288 duration, 492 lift)

I've decided on a set of Edelbrock Performer or Performer RPM aluminum heads. 110cc chamber. This will put the compression right at 9.5:1. Now I just need to find a good set.

Time to start building...
 
Good to see you back AJ!

I'm hoping to get my butt into the shop this week also, and re-introduce myself to the truck project. I figure it will probably take me about 2 hours to clean everything up and figure out where I'd left off.... IIRC it was something to do with a rollcage??? :dunno:

:D


:usaflag:
 
UPDATE 8/28/09: Time to get to work. Works been keeping me super busy lately and the K5 has been neglected. I made a slight direction change on the engine after finally unloading all of the old engine and miscellaneous parts I had laying around. I just placed the "big order" with Summit today. Here's the final specs I'm going with:

Block: GM 2 bolt BBC 454 bore .030 over
Rotating assembly: GM cast crank, Speedpro flat top pistons (3cc eyebrows)
Cam: Comp Hydraulic Roller... yes a roller! (CL11-412-8.... advertised duration 266 In/276 Ex, lift 485 In/485 Ex, lobe sep 112*), Comp roller lifters (included in the comp kit), Comp adjustable timing chain (cam timing adjustable to 1/4*)
Heads: Edelbrock Performer High Compression aluminum cylinder heads...100cc semi-open combustion chamber
Induction: Edelbrock Proflo MPFI fuel injection kit

With the flattops and the heads, compression should work out to just about 10:1. I bumped up compression a bit since I'll be running aluminum heads. If CamQuest 6 is at all accurate, I should end up with this:

Camquest.sized.jpg


Big pic can be seen --> here

Already made a date with my engine builder friend to start on the bottom end of the engine next weekend....FINALLY!
 
MuuuhaaaaaAAAA!!!! POWER!! :waytogo:

AJ is back, and in a BIG way. Congrats brother!



:usaflag:
 
Stayed home from work today because I wasn't feeling good....until Mr. Brown showed up with my new heads, a few sets of ARP bolts, and the new brake prop valve.

IMG_3889.sized.jpg


My wife told me to "get my Christmas morning on". So, I had to open one of them up.

IMG_3887.sized.jpg


I renamed the build too. To me, a pavement pounder implies mall crawler, and that wasn't what I'm going for.
 
Last edited:
Sounds more like "Project Hydrocarbon" to me!!! :saweet:


:usaflag:
 
nice motor selection. Just question on the name tho...I get the cruiser part but what about the crawler part? Will you be wheeling it?

It'll definately make a trip out to Trees or maybe Satan's when I get it all back together. Nothing crazy though.
 
Do you mind if I ask how much you payed for the alcan springs I had some on my Taco and loved them not sure what they would run on a full size though.
 
Do you mind if I ask how much you payed for the alcan springs I had some on my Taco and loved them not sure what they would run on a full size though.

The actual cost is somewhere in the beginning of the thread, I think. The fronts were about $200 each, and I think the rears were like $225 each. Less than $1000 total shipped if I remember correctly.
 
The actual cost is somewhere in the beginning of the thread, I think. The fronts were about $200 each, and I think the rears were like $225 each. Less than $1000 total shipped if I remember correctly.

Wow that is a lot less then I expected. What kind of ride quality do they provide, I don't need gobs of flex just something that won't kill me at 70mph.
 
Wow that is a lot less then I expected. What kind of ride quality do they provide, I don't need gobs of flex just something that won't kill me at 70mph.

They're not an off-the-shelf-one-size-fits-all spring. How do you want them to ride? Each spring is custom built for your rig and driving style. For me, I told them I had a high HP 454 in a 72 K5 and would be doing 85/15 split on street/trail driving...it was like an interview....a bunch of oher questions about the truck and driving....then they built them accordingly.

For me, worth every penny.

EDIT: Here's the link to the thread on my spring decision ---> link
 
That is really what I was looking for my truck will be
75/25 street(6th street austin) and the rest trail so I need something that can dodge drunken college students as well as something that can hold all of the camping gear. The fact they ask you what you need makes me want them that much more thank you for all of your help I will stop hijacking your thread now.
 
UPDATE 09/07/09 - Engine building: Labor day, and man, I labored. I learned a ton from my engine builder buddy....he made sure to point out all the different ways things can get jacked up as we went. My brain definately feels heavier now. We completed the long block today.

The first hour or so of the day was cleaning and prepping parts. Here's the rotating assembly all laid out on the bench.

IMG_0034.sized.jpg


Clean block with the main studs installed

IMG_0035.sized.jpg


Main caps, main bearings, and crank installed

IMG_0037.sized.jpg


Fitting rings and putting in rod bearings

IMG_0038.sized.jpg


Pistons installed. Rotating assembly and short block complete. Tightening down the oil pump.

IMG_0039.sized.jpg


Edelbrock heads installed and torqued down....long block complete. The intake is just sitting there to keep the engine closed up. Same applies to the pan and timing cover

IMG_0041.sized.jpg


Wrapped up until next weekend

IMG_0042.sized.jpg


I'm definately happy with what we got done today. Once the cam and lifter set comes in, we'll put the cam in and degree it. Then put on the intake, and button up the timing cover and oil pan.
 
Top Bottom