Best Engine or Set-up for 1st-Gen Daily Driver?

[mauch66]

Hello Everyone,

I am hoping some of you with way more knowledge and years of experience than I, might help a working man out.

I currently drive a 94 Ford Explorer (out of necessity) for a work truck and it's days are numbered. I also have the Green Machine, a 1970 K5 Blazer which I absolutely love but the engine just gave out. It ran like crap and got around 10mpg so a change was due.

Here is my question. The Exploder averaged 15-17mpg so if I can match that or get better, I would love to get the Green Machine on the road as a daily driver, which it deserves. I don't have the abilities, space or resources to build anything or customize or fabricate anything. I can essentially drop in a rebuilt motor and tranny if necessary. I have one buddy who I "might" be able to call upon if we needed to do some very basic alteration, but I can't count on it.

Do any of you have a recommendation for what engine size, build set-up or anything else that I should look for when I go to find a motor? My initial thoughts are just to go with a carbed 350. I might be able to get some help if I need to get into a basic fuel injected model. Should I be looking for a specific build on a 350 or something other than the 350? Is there a better transmission that will bolt right in?
I assume I have stock gears but not sure what the ratio is. At 60mph, I am guessing it's probably running about 3500-rpm. It has some beefy 33x12.5 on it now but I will probably try to find something a little easier to push, just not sure what as of now.

I have read a handful of posts and I know (and agree to a point) that many out there don't believe in seeking gas mileage if you're going to drive one of these. However, I can't afford to drive it 30-60 miles per day at 10mpg.

Any help and advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Thanks
Jay

 

[blazinzuk]

Great mileage and decent power I think a 6.5 turbo should work in there. It will obviously be more work but you can expect high teens mileage wise.

Other than that I would do an newer LS motor 5.3s are cheaper. They are popular enough that I think the amount of fab you would have to do would be very very minimal, easily accomplished with a drill and grinder.

Not sure you will get much better than 15 or so with any gas motor. I would say more than likely 12-14 with a newer LS motor like that.

 

[Greg72]

Buy a beater.....


Seriously, don't drive a 1st Gen year-round in Minnesota. It's going to get ruined in a hurry and it's a pretty lousy truck comfort-wise when it's bitter cold outside.

Almost ANY vehicle will give you better mileage than that truck on a daily basis.... and if all you are doing is slogging back-and-forth to work I doubt you're really having a lot of "fun" driving a 1st Gen anyway.


-G

 

[bp71k5]

I could get 15mpg on the freeway when I had a 327 in mine with 33" tires. Smaller engine = better gas mileage.

But if you need a commuter car, a $2000 Honda civic costs about the same as a rebuilt small block and gets 35mpg+ and will last nearly forever with zero maintanence.

 

[chulisohombre]

A good Diesel engine will get you better mileage than a gas engine. Some of the mid eightys ones had a 700r4. So would get overdrive to help you get better mileage as well. 327 is a nice running engine and mine in my impala got high teens highway. But on any blazer the are a brick on wheels and its tough to get a good mpg on these big trucks. I would not daily drive my blazer in Minnesota either. The salt and winter snow will kill it fast. Mine was starting to rot only after 3 years of daily driving it when I moved from California to pa. You got a pretty long commute so as was said it would be easier to get a ricer for mileage and keep the blazer in good shape for fun.

 

[chulisohombre]

My mildly built 350 gets about 12 mpg highway. Without the lift and tires I'd probly get 15 to 16 tops I'm guessing.

 

[mauch66]

Hey guys,
THanks for all the feedback. I have some things to think about. Especially reminding me what can happen in to a vehicle in Mn winters.

I'd love to do a diesel but I wouldn't have the first idea of where to begin...
And believe me, I'd love to drive a little rice-burner for the mpg but I have to haul around too much gear for work. Need a truck.

I guess I'll probably end up reserving her for summer use only and throwing something fun under the hood.

 

[NorCal69]

Growing up most of my life in a Northern suburb of Saint Paul, I think that you have made a great choice in saving her from the salt. These rigs are older than "most" of us, they have been through a lot in their life time. No sense in throwing acid on them in their senior age. Your rig, your choice though.

If you do end up driving it, make sure that you get a membership and become a reading member of the 69-72 section. I'd start with a lot of fun reading on rust repair. You'll need it.






Now with that, my vote goes for getting it ready for a nasty BB in the summer..

Oh, and some pics..

 

[chulisohombre]

My buddy does a lot if work in his 4x4 s10. Has a truck box and two side rail boxes with a rack above for wood or metal. Good lil truck and gets 20 mpg. I had a extra can Dakota with a 3.9 I think it was that got the same. Think it was17. If you like to have your stuff enclosed a jeep xj Cherokee has a 4.0 and the seats fold down. Mine got 19 mpg and its fairly easy to work on. I'm glad you are saving the old girl from the snow an salt. I wish I woulda done the same. I got most of the rust fixed now but it was a downhill battle for a while before I parked it during winters.