Just bought a 1980 blazer... few random questions

[fordsucks!]

Hi all, I just picked up a 1980 Blazer from an old guy who had it sitting for the last 4 years. Completely stock, except for a recently replaced sbc 350 pulled from who knows what, with an edelbrock manifold and "rv cam." Car seems to run and drive okay, engine needs some tuning.

Questions are:

Water temp gauge shows 3/4 at operating temp, while my infrared thermometer shows 190 at the thermostat neck and everything seems cool in the engine bay. I can put my hand on the radiator cap no problem. What should I mess with first, the sender or the gauge?

Dash is cracked up pretty good, if you see the photos. Do you think this can be salvaged with one of those plastic glue on covers? Or should I look for new dash?

There's some weird skid plate underneath the front axle, is this Factory? I doubt it's strong enough as a jacking point, where should I jack up the front of this thing?

thanks guys!

Cracked dash and temp gauge 3/4

Front axle with weird bash guard?


And the car itself

 

[beags86]

1. Flush your cooling system, make sure thermostat is working. Replace sender.
2. lmc sells dash pads. Although many guys don't like the replacement stuff and offen hold out until they find a clean original.
3. Axle truss skidplate. Unless your wheeling it hard. Take it off. You don't need it.
If you like it, it's probably strong enough to jack off.

 

[nvrenuf]

Since the motor has been replaced and it's not showing signs of overheating, I'd bet it's got the wrong sender for the temp gauge.

That's an old "Go Rhino!" brand axle truss, mostly cosmetic. If you don't like it, I'd bet it'd bring a little money if you're willing to ship it - don't scrap it.

Square headlights for the WIN!

 

[tenderfoot]

probably strong enough to jack off.

Ummm, nevermind

 

[tenderfoot]

Square headlights?
No, No, No


That's a fine lookin blazer

 

[nvrenuf]

Square headlights?
No, No, No

Oh yeah, they're there.

 

[tenderfoot]

Okay @fordsucks! We are gonna need a pic of your grill. Round or semi square?

 

[beags86]

Okay @fordsucks! We are gonna need a pic of your grill. Round or semi square?

Luckily if it's square headlights, they sell everything you need to convert everyday.

 

[fordsucks!]

Thanks guys, for temp gauge, I'll try the sender first. I assume just a standard AC Delco sender will do?

I cleaned all the gauges last night, put all new bulbs in.... just need to figure out dashboard and I'll have a decent interior!

The front-end has the oddball 1980 Square lights. I did not like at first but it's growing on me. Just need to find an emblem that will fit the grill, anybody know where to find the proper Chevy emblem? Previous one has been pulled off leaving glue underneath.

 

[fordsucks!]

Luckily if it's square headlights, they sell everything you need to convert everyday.

Convert to what? Newer or older?

 

[skunked]

80 front ends are rad, leave it alone and rock it.

 

[nvrenuf]

Okay @fordsucks! We are gonna need a pic of your grill. Round or semi square?

The side shot in the first post shows the edge of the headlamp bezel - only the square light bezels are that thick, the round light bezels are only about 1/2" thick at the side.

I converted my old '80 K10 from round to square, very distinctive look. I've always liked the square lights better. IMO, they fit the trucks better because it's shaped like a brick, there's nothing round about the 73-87(91) trucks. You've never heard of anyone refer to this series of truck as a "round body".

 

[max 02]

Nice clean 80! I like it!

 

[tenderfoot]

I prefer the round eye. But like @fordsucks! The '80 has grown on me. It's especially cool because it's the only year.

 

[tenderfoot]

This would be a good way to win a bet

The side shot in the first post shows the edge of the headlamp bezel - only the square light bezels are that thick, the round light bezels are only about 1/2

 

[fordsucks!]

Funny thing is, I didn't notice the unusual front end when I bought it. I was too tied up with checking for rust and testing the truck. I have been looking at Blazers for months and everything in my price range has been either primered, butchered, rusted, jury-rigged up with modifications, and i'm surprised at how many sellers don't even have any paperwork for their Blazers, but i understand how it happens... I finally came across this one with paperwork and minimal rust, had to have it regardless of headlights

Wasn't until I looked at page 116 in the LMC catalog, that I realized what I have done. The 1980 Blazer front end kind of reminds me of the 78-79 Broncos, which I like..... I guess my screen name was a stupid choice.

 

[beags86]

Convert to what? Newer or older?

Older round headlights.

The side shot in the first post shows the edge of the headlamp bezel - only the square light bezels are that thick, the round light bezels are only about 1/2" thick at the side.

I converted my old '80 K10 from round to square, very distinctive look. I've always liked the square lights better. IMO, they fit the trucks better because it's shaped like a brick, there's nothing round about the 73-87(91) trucks. You've never heard of anyone refer to this series of truck as a "round body".

Funny. GM officially called them "rounded line" designs.

 

[imiceman44]

Ummm, nevermind

I was thinking it too.

 

[Recon 78]

Very nice score man
I'm a roundeye guy but that is a nice looking rig
You just don't see many of those

 

[buffy]

I love my rounded eyes, but it would be stupid to change the '80. It's rare. The round eye is not. The '80 is special for that reason.