81 k5 build.... literally in the driveway

[Kaiser85]

So I suppose I'll start a build thread.

I recently sold a built, plated supermoto project I lost interest in when I almost got hit twice, and a buddy of mine DID get hit by a box van..... screw that, I've got a baby on the way. I sold it for $4000. Probably the only time I'll EVER make money off a project. Ever.

Then I found an 81 k5 blazer for cheap. It had a slipping transmission, and we're almost unable to load it on the trailer. Had it taken to the transmission shop for a full overhaul. Upon picking it up the owner of the shop said my tires needed to be balanced as it shook bad at 50+. So, to the tire shop I went. The brand new Cooper Discovery SSTs balanced out, and we're not even off to begin with. Then me and the tire dude noticed a little of transmission fluid forming under the transfer case. I limped home and crawled underneath for a gander....

lo, and behold- some numb-nut forgot to torque a few important bolts......

Needless to say, I got a rebuilt transfer case and front driveshaft for the low low price of "on the house" .

Time to do some shake down! I noticed the radiator cap was leaking, which I replaced with a new cap that also leaked, which I replaced with a new cap that did not..... (to be continued)

Next up was the rough ass idle. A new edelbrock 1405 found its way under my hood as well as a new distributor. Which I finally was able to verify the timing on.

^ the old q-jet with a stuck inoperative choke

Now that that stuff was all replaced, the shake down continues. Remember when I said my radiator cap leaked? Well at this point it didn't leak per-sé, but it would vent water into the overflow until it was full.... uhh ohh

Poo.....

So..... a new set of heads it shall be. A good friend of mine in Austin has a set of camel humpers he's currently in the middle of porting for me. Just casting flaws and bowl blending, as well as new seats and guides

Roughed in, but you get the idea

In the meantime, I've been a painting. I haven't started in any bodywork as there's very little to be done. I don't have the facilities to do it all like I want to right now, so instead I'm doing none of it. I did slap on some rusto paint

Cut in of Jambs

Getting there

Pretty close

Future plans-
Tube shell replacement made by me
Rhino-lined interior
Sheet metal dash
Custom made trim panels

 

[munepit]

Looking good! I built my rig in the driveway too. To big to fit in a garage.

 

[Kaiser85]

Looking good! I built my rig in the driveway too. To big to fit in a garage.

I used to have a 3 car garage with a pit, and ceiling hoist..... **** would that be handy right about now.....

That, or my dads body shop in austin.... lol

 

[magik235]

Outstanding project

 

[Kaiser85]

DING!!!! heads are done! (These are a set of 624s. The camel humps will not be used)

 

[Kaiser85]

New heads are going on, as well as top end gaskets, seals. Etc. I was hopefull we would find the undeniable culprit of the cooling system getting pressure, AND WE DID.....

Tear down. Pretty damn clean

Bang. #4 with a crack

#2 with a canyon

Now, we learned that this is a .080 over block. No bueno. Ive got my eye on a. Fresh, never run .030 over vortec long block, that ill pick up tomorrow, or the coming week, as a spare.

 

[wage92]

How did you paint the k5, with a paint gun and compressor?

 

[Kaiser85]

How did you paint the k5, with a paint gun and compressor?

I rolled a thinned basecoat. And said screw that. Sprayed two coats with my hvlp gun, and went to town wet sanding. I went thru the soft enamel in a few spots and touched those with a spray can. There will be alot more buffing, followed by a coat of metallic clear (silver metallic) for depth. And finally a top coat of 2k urethane clear. Months away on the urethane clear though, ill be doing some sheet metal work prior.

Mainly the pass side door and fender. Got a tiny bit of rust on the door sills too.

 

[82355]

Those aren't camel backs.

Martin

 

[Kaiser85]

Correct. Theyre 624s. The camel humps ended up having 2 janked up studs. Not to mention neither of us could justify putting a set onto an .080 over block.

 

[82355]

You weren't missing out on much, camel backs really aren't that great of a head.

Martin

 

[Kaiser85]

Ohh i know. Perhaps slightly less prone to cracking and flowed a slight better. Id have never felt the difference though. Not to mention, ANY factory head that wasnt total crap to begin with has probably been run to death by some circle tracker. Theyve made craigslist a dangerous place to spend money, ESPECIALLY here in east texas. ill never buy a set of heads off ANYONE without a written agreement that if they dont flux, i get my money back, and my 30 for the machine shops trouble. Ive had pretty good luck weeding out the boat anchors from usable stuff that way.

 

[Kaiser85]

Started some stuff today-

Dude, bro...... this was a little more of an undertaking than i thought it was gonna be..... SCREW THIS CARPET MAT STUFF

And finally..... yeah, the back will be done too. Gotta wait till next weekend (my weekends are thrus/fri)

Okay, i also had a thought.... the sheetmetal dash has been done to an expinential degree.... im thinking stained 1/8" birch plywood.... im gonna think about it, feedback welcome.

Id use it for headliner. Lower door trim panels. Dash (similar to ryokens design, just wood) maybe even a center console. Interior bedside panels, you get the idea

 

[82355]

I have yet to see anyone's homebrew interior that looks as nice as the stock interior.

Martin

 

[wage92]

i try to steer away from wood on vehicles just because of the fact it will break down faster, but staining it will help.....i dont know im sure it could look cool and its something that no one else has done (to that degree) but i myself would go a different route. But its not my k5

 

[Kaiser85]

I have yet to see anyone's homebrew interior that looks as nice as the stock interior.

Martin

This one will be no different. Hahaha.

 

[Kaiser85]

Yeah, im starting to think the wood would look cheap. Meh. Maybe regular sheet metal and ill powdercoat it. Ive got a color called black chrome that might look pretty cool. Ive also got a power that precisely matches the oil rubbed bronze color i used for the two tone. Its called like antique penny, or something to that effect

 

[Kaiser85]

Picked up a completely fresh 355 yesterday. Has center bolt heads that the builder ported himself. He backed up all his work with pictures, receipts, and even a disc of its break-in (video)/ engine dyno. (Pdf.)328 hp/416ft/lbs. Ill TRY to get the chart from the disc, to my phone, as i dont hve internet other than my cell. Gotta love livin in the boonies

Engine pics this afternoon!!!!

Ps, if anyone has an aluminum intake manifold theyre willing to sell.... uh.... i know a guy. It needs to be for the 87-95 center bilt heads. The middle two bolts are almost vertical

 

[82355]

Are you going TBI?

Martin

 

[Kaiser85]

No. Im going to run my 1604. The testing and break in was done with the holley tbi set up. Therfore i wont ever see those same numbers myself, probably, but thats perfectly a-ok with me. He wasnt willing to part with the tbi set-up, and ecm