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84 K5: The Buzzard

TerryD

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TerryD submitted a new Build:

84 K5: The Buzzard

edit: I bought the truck the following weekend, but due to weather (and threats to my health if I got Dad's Silverado out in the salt/slush) it has been sitting on the trailer next to the house for 3 weeks.

The initial plans are get a budget 350 built for it to get it moving under its own power, patch the few bad places in the body, strip the interior/line floorboards, and swap in the 10B/12B combo with 3.42 gears from the K15 I tore down. After that's going, I'm going to start work on another 10B/12B set I have, getting them ready to go in this fall with ~4" of lift via 52"/56" swap and other things.









EDIT: I know I have not done much to it yet, but I thought I'd add a little organization to the thread.

Engine:
Oil Pressure Sending Unit Mystery: post #47-57, 63, 75-79
Timing: post# 66-

Interior:
Strip it and Dupli-color: post #66, 72, 88

Body/Damage:
First wheeling/damage: post #81

View attachment 230651

Read more about this build here...
 
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Should be an NP208. They rot in front of the rear wheels at the seatbelt mount area, and the rear floor. Make sure you open the tailgate and check the tailpan area.
 
Needs a new DS door (or lower skin), rocker, and quarter panel just behind the door. Floor boards and body supports are amazing, accept a few small rough spots where the back seat mounts and where the cargo floor meets the tailgate. 305 smokes/burns AF, 700R4 goes in gear and pulls, didn't try t-case, factory A/C Silverado. Has the tall air cleaner (not sure if this is common or not) with inner screen, and a rattle can camo paint job. Worth $500?
 
Post pics, but I would say that is close to fair. See if you can get him to come down. My 1985 K5 (that I got for $100) was a 305/TH700R4/NP208/AC/Silverado, it has the same tall air cleaner in the flame arrestor.

Martin
 
He's not going to come down, I got him down to $500 from $600. It's at a garage and they have ~$500 in it for repairs they started to do and the PO just said they could keep it for the $$. For the condition, it's a good price around here. My friend paid $500 for a truck we had to replace the cab/bed/rear frame rails on. Going to pick it up Thursday evening after work.
 
what was repaired on it ?

make sure you check the color of the tranny fluid.
I had a 1984 k5 , ran great for the 6 years I had it. the 305 in it did not have alot of azz, but very dependable. $500 sounds decent if its running and everything works.
 
The engine being bad is not a problem. I've got 3 350 blocks at the house and enough random pieces to get one put together, only having to buy a gasket set. The original plan for the GMC was a 383, but I may do a mild 350 to start with since I already have the pieces.

The tranny is the small input version, made from 1982-1984 (pretty sure it started in 82), which I would like to replace with the larger input 85+ model that has a better pump as well. What is the spline count on the output for the 4wd 700's? If worse comes to worse, I've got 2 4wd TH350's at the house I can build for it.

I also have a 27sp input and adapter for a 350/205 combo I'm planning on using.

Then I have a 10b front and 2 12b rears at the house to build for it. Along with a set of 52" rears from the GMC I tore apart, a set of 56" from another parts truck sitting there, and a set of 59" Dodge springs with new poly bushings.

Hopefully, having a good body with a decent wheel base will expedite my build. If my buddy will ever get his trailer out of the shop where we can get this pulled in and work out of the cold/wet.
 
What is the spline count on the output for the 4wd 700's? If worse comes to worse, I've got 2 4wd TH350's at the house I can build for it.

700s and TH350 both have the same 27 spline output. If you swap in a TH350 they are a little shorter so you will have to move the crossmember.
 
The tranny is the small input version, made from 1982-1984 (pretty sure it started in 82), which I would like to replace with the larger input 85+ model that has a better pump as well. What is the spline count on the output for the 4wd 700's?

The larger input shaft is actually a 1987 update, not a 1985.

Martin
 
The larger input shaft is actually a 1987 update, not a 1985.

Martin

I'm not sure about that. The date code on the 700R4 I installed in my Camaro (stamped in the side of the case) was 1985 and it has the 30 spline input. B&M also lists their 27 spline converters for 82-84 and 30 spline from 84-93.
http://www.bmracing.com/PRODUCTS/HoleShot-2400

I know that somewhere in the area of 1987, an axillary valve body was introduced to the transmissions, mounted behind the existing valve body. I've never read anywhere what it does for sure.
 
700s and TH350 both have the same 27 spline output. If you swap in a TH350 they are a little shorter so you will have to move the crossmember.

Can a NP205 for a TH350 be run behind the TH700R4 if I use the 350/205 adapter? What about putting a 203 behind it for use in a doubler?
 
if this were my build i would also go with the 350 turbo tranny. I have had very good luck out of the 350 turbos and an getting ready to swap one into my 86 k5:k5:. the 700r4 is not made to handle the big tires and if you drive it on the highway you will have to put a new one in it about once a year, they are JUNK. the only things you should have to worry about for the swap is that you will need to move the crossmember as someone already said and you will need the kickdown cable for the th350 as well as the vacum line that runs form the tranny to the intake. other than that it isa cake swap and you will be much better off in the long run. also you will need the driveshats out of a long wheelbase truck, the front should match up but you will have to have the back one cut. i think the local driveline shop here charges like 30 bucks to cut:hack::weld::grind: one down, no big deal
 
I'll definitely look into putting a TH350 in. The reason I was looking at the TH700R4 is the overdrive. This will be driven where it goes, and a mild build on 35's and ~4" of lift, I can run 4.56's with the OD and get good mileage as well as the 3.06:1 first gear will help with crawl ratio.
 
A TH350 is no better than a nicely built TH700R4.

Martin


That is my feelings on the subject. I have a TH700R4 in my 84 Camaro behind a 6800 RPM 350 that does a fine job. I've got quite a bit of money in it though. Trans-Go Pump Ring kit and Shift Kit, Beast Sun Shell, TCI TC lock up kit, and other pieces here and there. I'll be getting a custom Torque Converter for it after the first of the year when overtime at work picks up some.

I don't really see a reason why it wouldn't work for offroading with the proper modifications.
 
Well, here it is!

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The Bad:
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All the underside of the truck is in good shape. Body supports, floor boards, hood, and fenders are good. Inner fender wells are rusted out at the bolt that mounts it to the firewall.

Also came with some turkey.

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I had a stock 700 in my 84 for about 140k, with a 300hp motor for 30k. It has a 90 700 now for the updates. The biggest thing is gearing. If you aren't turning 1800-2000 rpm at 60 it will be in and out of overdrive. Mine has had the Heck beat out of it including truck pulling. I guess we will see how it like a 383 saturday. Mine also is very built but I would expect a th350 to require similar parts. Oh and the blazer looks perfect.
 
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