I'm sure that's true for the pinchlock nuts as well. Multiple uses are going to reduce the locking power that was there initially. For mock ups I'd use standard nuts, and for final assembly switch over to the locking-type (pinchlock or nylok)
-G
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Dare I say it...Another 72 K5 build! The Bubba build - getting back into it
- Thread starter Z71paramedic
- Start date
I'm sure that's true for the pinchlock nuts as well. Multiple uses are going to reduce the locking power that was there initially. For mock ups I'd use standard nuts, and for final assembly switch over to the locking-type (pinchlock or nylok)
-G
Correct, pinch lock will wear out as well. The smaller the size, the fewer cycles it takes. But unless you're taking it apart weekly you probably won't have an issue. Even still, I would not use them for mock up, just because you'll need a wrench to run them on & off. Some other things to keep in mind- you will probably only find this style in fine thread, they really should be used with a washer, they are available in a range of materials, as well as 6 and 12 points. Personally, I think these are the best solution when it comes to lock nuts, but obviously not the only solution.
Well my springs are on the way from alcan, should arrive Monday. Still no progress on a cage... That's starting to annoy me.
As some of you have seen, we bought my wife a 68 vette, so that's going to move to the top of the priorities list. It's looking like she wants to keep it a big block, but the 427 in it is way too high compression for street use. So the plan for now (95%) is that we'll take the 468 out of the blazer and give the vette a heart transplant. I had plans to change the cam out anyways, and I still wanted to inject it, so it's not a terrible loss to ditch it for something a little better suited to big lifted truck.
Which leaves us with an interesting predicament: what do I want to run in the truck???
I'm considering a 6.0, or possibly 8.1. Another thought that crossed my mind that I want to consider more is a 4bt. I need to sort out what transmission would work if I go that route. Seems like the 465 in current form may not hold up, and running out of gearing is probable. Anyone have any input on that?
As some of you have seen, we bought my wife a 68 vette, so that's going to move to the top of the priorities list. It's looking like she wants to keep it a big block, but the 427 in it is way too high compression for street use. So the plan for now (95%) is that we'll take the 468 out of the blazer and give the vette a heart transplant. I had plans to change the cam out anyways, and I still wanted to inject it, so it's not a terrible loss to ditch it for something a little better suited to big lifted truck.
Which leaves us with an interesting predicament: what do I want to run in the truck???
I'm considering a 6.0, or possibly 8.1. Another thought that crossed my mind that I want to consider more is a 4bt. I need to sort out what transmission would work if I go that route. Seems like the 465 in current form may not hold up, and running out of gearing is probable. Anyone have any input on that?
BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
I will personally come to your house and revoke all of your COOKIES!!!!
Seriously.
Isn't there something you can do to that miserably high compression BBC to calm it down? The world thickest set of head gaskets perhaps?
Swapping engines is a TON of work, and you still end up with a 427 that you either need to rework for the Blazer or sell off and buy something else... seems like you are playing a "shell game" but with heavy, expensive engines.
-G
Man I say pop a nice 8.1 in there. Put the beast engine in the vette and sell the race engine
Obviously I did the 6.0 option and I love it. The drivability is just supper hard to beat. There is nothing like knowing no matter how many weeks the truck sits, a quick flick of the key is all it's going to take to start... And, if there is every a problem, the OBD2 port is going to tell me exactly what it is. I wouldn't go back to a carb on any engine unless I was trying to do some sort of numbers matching resto or something.
That said, since you've been in big block land for awhile, maybe an 8.1 is a better choice. You'd get all the drivability of the LS PCM fuel injection, with the big block grunt you are used to. Sure, you could go aftermarket fuel injection but the cost is insane imo.
That said, since you've been in big block land for awhile, maybe an 8.1 is a better choice. You'd get all the drivability of the LS PCM fuel injection, with the big block grunt you are used to. Sure, you could go aftermarket fuel injection but the cost is insane imo.
Other than changing pistons, which I imagine would require me taking things to a machine shop to measure volumes, etc, I don't know how I'd drop the compression enough to not need race gas in that 427. Considering the value of the L88 heads alone, or (hopefully) selling the engine complete, I should be able to swap the blazer engine over, sell the 427 and finance pretty much whatever I want. The 4bt idea came about because it's injected by nature, easily can make over 400 ft/lbs of torque, and seems readily available with a a transmission for about $4,500. Then I could consider an atlas and ditch the 205. If that's a bad idea please tell me, seriously.
Yes a 4bt can make some decent power in a reasonable size, but what they are really efficient at is shaking and rattling a blazer into pieces. I would highly recommend you go for a ride in a truck that has had a 4bt swapped into it before you even consider buying one.
I personally would take an injected big block over a 4bt in a full size rig every time. Even a lowly TBI 454 will make over 400 ft lbs @ 1,600 rpm stone stock and you won't have numb hands or sound like an old John Deere tractor. A vortec 454 and 8.1l make even more power and still can be had for under 2K and will bolt right into your existing mounts and to your existing trans.
Well....I won't even PRETEND that I'm not biased on this topic, but the idea of stuffing a diesel engine in a 1st Gen makes me a bit nauseous....
If you are towing or have some burning desire to brag about getting 20MPG on the highway, by all means go with a diesel motor......putting one in a classic 1st Gen truck seems completely bizarre and out-of-place.
400FT/Lbs is dirt simple with a BBC.... and it will actually sound "cool" doing it. It has the right vibe for the truck, and people love big-block trucks....
If you have to buy an Atlas to make the diesel swap work, that is NOT a trivial amount of extra money.
-G
Going with a 4BT isn't a bad idea (unless you're Greg
), but it requires more mods than throwing in a Chevy engine of your choice. If you're patient you should be able to find a 4BT for $3500 with tranny or $2500 without (ebay prices last time I looked).And then you have the costs of the mods to make non-GM parts fit in under a GM hood. Doable, and fun if you are looking for a swap, but I'd bet you could do LS swaps in BOTH your vehicles for the total cost of a 4BT conversion (unless you can find one that's already mated to a GM 4x4 tranny).
I think would be a great project, though.
If you're worried about this I would go with a 6BT. Cheaper, more common, less rattly, and they have more aftermarket support. @mosesburb has written up a pretty good how-to manual in his '72 suburban thread. And I'm sure the extra power/torque won't be a drawback, either.
4BT is great for mileage, but aside from that it's not worth the extra money when I can get a 6BT w/tranny for $1800 (sometimes less).
Sell race engine and buy reasonable BBC for car.
Leave blazer alone...
Dilemma averted.
Leave blazer alone...
Dilemma averted.
ekajkrats
1/2 ton status
Just another option to keep on your radar, AJ is selling his 454 longblock (if you want to please the cookie gods):
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/454-long-block-edelbrock-aluminum-heads.324677/
https://ck5.com/forums/threads/454-long-block-edelbrock-aluminum-heads.324677/
Ok, 4bt I dumb. Roger.
Had the snap on guy mention something interesting today: suggested e85 in the 427. Not sure if it would work, gonna go talk to a local tuning place and see if it could handle it. If so, nothing needs done except
Had the snap on guy mention something interesting today: suggested e85 in the 427. Not sure if it would work, gonna go talk to a local tuning place and see if it could handle it. If so, nothing needs done except
In places you may go wheeling e-85 is hard to find.
High compression motor like that would respond well to propane ( yuck) too.
My vote.
Blazer motor in vette. Ez peazy. Sell vette motor. Use money to buy an 8.1. Put 8.1 in blazer. Also fairly easy
Enjoy awesomeness
High compression motor like that would respond well to propane ( yuck) too.
My vote.
Blazer motor in vette. Ez peazy. Sell vette motor. Use money to buy an 8.1. Put 8.1 in blazer. Also fairly easy
Enjoy awesomeness
I like Doodling's idea if only for the simplicity of keeping the Blazer intact. The Corvette is going to become enough of a time/money-suck in the short-term. If you pull the heart out of the Blazer too... you may not get any time to enjoy it this summer.
AFAIK, the Blazer is fully operational and road-worthy. Save your energy for the Corvette build, and drive the K5 as much as you can. You've waited a LOOOONG time to be reunited with it during your deployment in Germany.
-G
Eric, I was talking e85 in the vette. That leaves the blazer alone and gets both driving sooner.
Greg, the blazer is driveable (minus the broken spring), but sans roll cage is sketchy. That motor is trying to beer can the whole thing... Which is what has me so grumpy with the truck at the moment. I really need to figure out that before getting any real use out of it.
Greg, the blazer is driveable (minus the broken spring), but sans roll cage is sketchy. That motor is trying to beer can the whole thing... Which is what has me so grumpy with the truck at the moment. I really need to figure out that before getting any real use out of it.
It is enjoyable to actually drive these things. Some may think that part is a myth...
If any swapping is going on at all.
Like my suggestion of the 8.1 I think it would have to be. Pull big block out of Blazer put 8.1 in get it running. THEN AND ONLY THEN pull vette motor.
Besides gotta be somewhere that sells race gas close. Go get some 109 and goof around with the vette for a while.
Like my suggestion of the 8.1 I think it would have to be. Pull big block out of Blazer put 8.1 in get it running. THEN AND ONLY THEN pull vette motor.
Besides gotta be somewhere that sells race gas close. Go get some 109 and goof around with the vette for a while.
Have you thought about installing a throttle-stop under the gas pedal so that you only get 50% of the HP/TQ????
1st World (BBC) Problems....
-G
