Blazer restoration advice

[cturner]

Hello, My Name is Chris from Prosper Tx. I just joined the group and am looking forward meeting other K5 owners. I would really like to get get some opinions / ideas on my 73 K5 that I inherited upon my fathers passing. He bought it new in 73 and babied it all its life. The truck is a real survivor and even though it has been a great truck and served our family well for many years it is very tired now. The motor and tranny have probably 180K on them with the the only modification being a Performer intake, Edelbroke carb & duel exhaust. He installed a 2 or 3 inch suspension lift with 33's back in the late 70's. It currently has 33.12.50 BFG all terrains. I am trying to form a game plan for the restoration project, but am really torn on what direction I want to go. My main goal will be reliability, but from there my thoughts are all over the board. The first phase of the project will have to be an engine / transmission upgrade or rebuild. My thoughts have gone from just rebuilding the 350 with maybe a little upgrade in the internals (a little more cam, higher compression pistons, a little head work - just the basics) to maybe building a 383, to getting a GM crate 454 or even a 502. One of my good friends is trying to talk me into going more modern with a 6.0 out of a wrecked 3/4 ton or Denali. The reliability of a new fuel injected 6.0 does sound attractive, but I am concerned that the modifications that it will require may be quite extensive. Does anyone have any experience with a late model swap? A 4L60 overdrive also does sound nice, but I have no idea what problems will come along with mating it to the 208 that was just rebuilt less then 500 miles ago. I have read that with a little tuning / tweaking the 6.0 can produce 475 HP and run smooth all day long. My motto has always been bigger is better, but I don't know that the truck really needs that level of power. Being a Hot rodder those are hard words to say!! I do plan on replacing the lift kit with a 4" kit (any advice on a quality kit would also be appreciated) and a set of 35's. I am sure the truck will see some light off roading, but I really doubt that I will ever take it on any extreme trails. I have other 4x4's that I don't care if I bounce off a rock or tree, but this truck has too much sentimental value to see it get trashed too hard. Its main job will be for driving the kids around on nice days and maybe a few trips a month to the office. I might do some light towing, but I have an F250 that is my daily driver .. so I really don't need it to be able to handle anything too heavy. I guess my question is what power level do you really need in a K5 to make it fun to drive and not a be breaking parts ever time you get on it. I don't plan on ever selling the truck, but should I consider keeping all the drive train stock just because there are so few unmolested Blazers left? I know that there is not a correct answer to any of these questions, but I am just looking for other view points and maybe advice from guys that I have been in my situation before. I am sorry that this was such a long post.
Thanks,
Chris

 

[lectric80]

Welcome to the forum, and pics are a must. As to your questions on the 6.0 do a search on the forum and you will find there is quite a bit of information here from others who have done the 6.0 swap. There is a lot involved in that type of swap. Not saying that the newer motors are more or less reliable, but for me I will stick with a 350, and for the money you can easily pick up a crate 350 that will produce 290-300 hp and be really fun for your uses. There are plenty of people here that can give you advice going both ways, but if you aren't going to be doing a lot of extreme off roading, I just can't see putting the time and money into a 6.0 when you can get a very reliable 350 for a lot less. Again, just my opinion.

 

[Metrodps]

Welcome aboard, well to throw my two cents in. I am restoring a 1987 to near factory fresh as some thing to leave my son on my passing. I am not a mudder or crawler so mine will mainly be road use. I do plan on making one major trip across the country when done.

What I looked at was:
1. Gas consumption (I am retired due to being shot).
2. How will I use the truck.
3. Maintenance and cost to repair.
4. Long term / end of life use.
5. Who will use it (me so it is for me)

Ask questions here and listen 99% of the guys are the greatest. We have the largest brain trust for our trucks probably closest to GM as any one can be. You are the one who will live with your choices and the memories of your father and truck. Any stock stuff you remove I would say save for later.

My only advice is this I hate seeing a survivor all cut and messed with. There to few left. If it were rusted I would say chop and rock but it sounds to good.

 

[obijuan]

hey there Chris in prosper, get some pics up pronto! youre definately in the right direction with keeping it like how you got it. for me theres nothing more reliable then a non electronic carbureted Chevy V8. endless power applications for just a small block, i dont think you can go wrong. i have the stock 350 with like 180hp? it will work its ass off still after 22 years. also for a little more practical use of the 35s you would want to regear your axles to better accomodate the size. for cruisin in a fulltop blazer around town i would go 4.11 or 4.56 depending on if you go OD or not. they serve me very well and if i remember right you have the same stock ratio of 3.08. for an easier swap to an OD trans would be a 700r4 from bowtieoverdrives.com, they have all kinds of stuff to help you with the swap.
the best kind of lift is debatable but the general vote here is a tough coutry 4 inch front spring with a shackle flip from ORD or DIY4X. and a nice set of shocks.

 

[cturner]

Thanks for the advice. I have pretty much made up my mind that I am going to just rebuild the 350 a go with it. As you said that motor has been working hard for many many years and it never left us stranded. Yes, it has 3:08 gears in it now, so 4:11 or 4:56 would certainly help.
I will get the camara out and get some pics of it up as soon as I can.

 

[Thunder]

If you are going to rebuild the 350 you might as well stroke it out to a 383. It doesn't cost all that much more and the results will make you smile. You will have a lot more torque to turn bigger tires and for occasional towing. Your drivetrain will handle a mild built 383 no problem.
As for the trans just keep what you have and have it built for the 383. An od trans wont save you much gas unless you convert to fuel injection. IMHO it is not worth the hassle to convert to FI and OD trans for the uses you say you want the truck for.
For the lift, go with a Tough Country kit. They are a good quality lift and most all here seem to like them. You can spend more on a lift kit but in IMO for your uses a TC lift will work good and give you a good ride on and off road.

Oh and BTW Welcome!