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'72 K5 - Where do I go from here?
- Thread starter Dirsuper
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- #onionclub
Taking the engine to the machine shop this week. I'm thinking dip/clean, hone, new cam bearings, deck heads, valve job - give it back to me so I can fumble my way through rebuilding it. I'm not looking for a hot rod, I'm thinking what is commonly referred to as an 'RV Cam' (I want a little "rumble"), a 650 carb, and everything else fairly basic. If I am missing anything, or if anyone has any words of wisdom, I would appreciate hearing them. And just to be clear, I know I can buy a crate engine cheaper, and I know TBI or some modern fuel injection would be 'better', but I just think a '72 should have a carb......it just......'fits.' Also, I want to build the engine myself. I don't care if it ends up costing me twice as much. If anyone has some wisdom about carb/cam/exhaust combos, I would greatly appreciate them. I have no idea what route to go to match all of that up.
Spent the day working on the K20. Cruise nights start back up this Thursday so I fixed a few leaks, tweaked a few things - ready to go.
Looking forward to moving my Blazer build forward. I am not in a hurry (It honestly is more about the journey than the destination), but I do want to start seeing progress..........
BTW, anyone noticed how the price of these things is freakin skyrocketing? I periodically check my K20 as I will eventually sell it for a 67/8/9 Camaro, and I often come across '72 Blazers in the process.......wow! I am in no way interested in selling my Blazer, I do not plan to ever do so, but it is interesting to note what some of the nicer ones are going for these days.
Spent the day working on the K20. Cruise nights start back up this Thursday so I fixed a few leaks, tweaked a few things - ready to go.
Looking forward to moving my Blazer build forward. I am not in a hurry (It honestly is more about the journey than the destination), but I do want to start seeing progress..........
BTW, anyone noticed how the price of these things is freakin skyrocketing? I periodically check my K20 as I will eventually sell it for a 67/8/9 Camaro, and I often come across '72 Blazers in the process.......wow! I am in no way interested in selling my Blazer, I do not plan to ever do so, but it is interesting to note what some of the nicer ones are going for these days.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Only advice I could give is figure out if it's going to have headers or manifolds early and stick to it. If you think you may want headers, just do it now. The early vette's have larger manifolds than the blazer and breathe better but switching to headers can force you into a bunch of other exhaust/driveline changes later. So since you aren't stuck in that corner yet, you can choose more wisely (than me).
I appreciate the advice bp. I am staying with manifolds. I don't want to deal with the extra 'fun' of headers.
Engine and heads are at the machine shop. They're going to help me with the whole carb/cam/exhaust match. Nothing like spending a few hours at a machine shop to get your Motorhead pumping!
Update: Long block complete. Was about to order intake/carb/distributor/etc. and ran into a problem matching distributor to stock tach. I searched the site and only found old threads, so I'm guessing somebody figured this out. If anyone knows the solution and is willing to share, I would appreciate it.
I had a revelation today as a result of this research - I really should put in my wiring harness now while it is still a bare tub. Well, I need to either get a new cluster or rehab my old one as part of the wiring harness install......bringing me right back to the tach problem. I need to get this figured out, and then it's time to run some wires, install some switches, and start s l o w l y bringing this thing back to life.
I completely understand how a build takes a normal (working) person years to do......especially if you are knowledge deficient, as I am. Hell, I spent an hour figuring out whether or not I need a sending unit for my oil pressure gauge!
I had a revelation today as a result of this research - I really should put in my wiring harness now while it is still a bare tub. Well, I need to either get a new cluster or rehab my old one as part of the wiring harness install......bringing me right back to the tach problem. I need to get this figured out, and then it's time to run some wires, install some switches, and start s l o w l y bringing this thing back to life.
I completely understand how a build takes a normal (working) person years to do......especially if you are knowledge deficient, as I am. Hell, I spent an hour figuring out whether or not I need a sending unit for my oil pressure gauge!
ekajkrats
1/2 ton status
Did you check out @Greg72's thread here:
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/hei-factory-tachs-a-new-discovery.34175/
Sorry I didn't read the whole thing but some guys on 67-72 linked back to it, but the link was now defunct. I was able to figure out which one it was with a little link trial and error.
If the thread doesn't help I am sure him or @ashman might be able to chime in. It was Ash's other thread you commented on.
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/hei-factory-tachs-a-new-discovery.34175/
Sorry I didn't read the whole thing but some guys on 67-72 linked back to it, but the link was now defunct. I was able to figure out which one it was with a little link trial and error.
If the thread doesn't help I am sure him or @ashman might be able to chime in. It was Ash's other thread you commented on.
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Factory tach's are kinda expensive and don't always work well. Pretty easy to adapt a newer version in the stock cluster. Just depends if you have more money or time.
I went down a rabbit hole about stock tach and HEI. If anyone faces this question....."dilemma"(?) in the future - check out this thread: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/tach-question.283537/#post-3771435
Appreciate it bp. I spent HOURS looking at different setups. 67-72 has a great thread called 'Show me your gauge cluster' (or something like that) where you can see many options. I looked at every single one of them, and many more on Google images....at the end of the day, for my taste - stock it is.
As I said in the other thread - I am ordering the new cluster and tach filter - and onward! I plan to start installing the harness next weekend.
Next up, engine. I need to order the top end, intake manifold, carb, distributor, externals.......more vexing issues to come........
Appreciate it bp. I spent HOURS looking at different setups. 67-72 has a great thread called 'Show me your gauge cluster' (or something like that) where you can see many options. I looked at every single one of them, and many more on Google images....at the end of the day, for my taste - stock it is.
As I said in the other thread - I am ordering the new cluster and tach filter - and onward! I plan to start installing the harness next weekend.
Next up, engine. I need to order the top end, intake manifold, carb, distributor, externals.......more vexing issues to come........
Any recommendations on $$$$ saving sources of engine parts? I filled a cart at Summit with everything I need and about had a heart attack. Just the basics - intake manifold, carb, distributor, alternator, starter, water pump, fuel pump, etc.
Do you really want to go cheap on engine parts?
post your shopping cart at summit, there might be a few alternative products that will work for you.
and be glad you're not buying Big Block parts
and be glad you're not buying Big Block parts
bp71k5
3/4 ton status
Some stuff like accessories, water pump, alternator, etc I think are better had at a local parts store unless you need something different than stock.
summit prices are better from what I've found. Plus no shipping cost and no sales tax for us CA residents.
AJ, No intention to buy poor quality, but I don't necessarily need top of the line. As a few mentioned, for accessories and such I don't think it matters much.
Based on recommendations from the shop who did my machine work, and who really seemed to know their stuff/gets great recommendations, etc. here is what I know I am going with so far:
Carb - Holley 4150 with square bore and mechanical secondary
Intake manifold - Dual Plane performer
Everything else - ?
Distributor - HEI....uhm....small diameter (so it does not hit firewall)
Alternator, water pump, fuel pump, and starter - I was thinking RockAuto or Autozone (best prices I have found yet)
Plug wires - good quality
I'm probably missing some stuff, but that's my line of thought so far.
Skunked, I did not save, but will do another and post tomorrow.
I really appreciate everyone's help. It's amazing the amount of detail you can get into. While ordering the Gauge Cluster last night I got perusing the the place's site for tail lights...simple.....right? Not so much. Original (or at least when I got it) had the blue dots.......damn was that a rabbit hole! I can't imagine how guys did this before Al Gore invented the Internet!
Based on recommendations from the shop who did my machine work, and who really seemed to know their stuff/gets great recommendations, etc. here is what I know I am going with so far:
Carb - Holley 4150 with square bore and mechanical secondary
Intake manifold - Dual Plane performer
Everything else - ?
Distributor - HEI....uhm....small diameter (so it does not hit firewall)
Alternator, water pump, fuel pump, and starter - I was thinking RockAuto or Autozone (best prices I have found yet)
Plug wires - good quality
I'm probably missing some stuff, but that's my line of thought so far.
Skunked, I did not save, but will do another and post tomorrow.
I really appreciate everyone's help. It's amazing the amount of detail you can get into. While ordering the Gauge Cluster last night I got perusing the the place's site for tail lights...simple.....right? Not so much. Original (or at least when I got it) had the blue dots.......damn was that a rabbit hole! I can't imagine how guys did this before Al Gore invented the Internet!
I'd recommend a Q-jet and a spread-bore air-gap intake if you plan on even mild trails at some point. Holley's are for Hot Rods, and suck dick off road.
Rusty - I really appreciate it man, but, as much as this is sacrilege to probably 98% of the people on this site - this one will never go off road as long as I have a heartbeat. I take the '88 off road, but this one will be more of a 'Cruise Night', local car show, cruise to Boy's Night, etc. conversation piece. Poseur vehicle, sure, but I just can't see beating this one. I spent A LOT of time thinking that through before I started, and I just love these things too much to take a chance of screwing it up. As we have all seen, once you go off road - things happen, and they happen fast. The end game for this one is towing the trailer with my Hot Rod ('67-'69 Camaro being first choice, but we'll see.....) to the drag strip (there is one about 10 miles from my house).
Rock auto will blow autozone prices out of the water when comparing them.
It's all good, and it's all about knowing how you plan to use the truck. I don't turn my nose up at anybody's end use choices...I just wanted to cover that potential issue in case nobody else had yet. Carry on!
