My first car, 1972 k5 blazer cst

[alexander monroe]

Hey i'm brand new to this fourm but recently I turned 15 and a half and gor my permit. My dad and I pulled his 1972 k5 out of storage because he told me I could drive it as my first car. The truck is in great condition body wise and interior wise but the motor is seized. The brakes are good and all of the eletrical works too. The truck sat in storage for 18 years. Were going to buy a new crate 350 4 bolt from summit racing and tear out the seized 350 4 bolt. I came here for any advice and trouble shooting you guys have for me. Thanks.

 

[6872xtc]

It sounds like a good plan to get it running without waiting for a machine shop to get yours all done. Keep in mind that there will be lots of little parts to replace as well.

 

[max 02]

Good for you and your dad for doing that for you!

I found my son a worn out Duramax when he was 14 that we fixed it up together. It has been a lot of fun and great to teach my kid how to work on it.

Good luck with it! We all like pic`s!

 

[Vombrown]

Just a thought but if the truck was stored inside for that amount of time I might take a little time and try to get it "Unstuck". It's a fairly easy process if you want to at least try. Get some diesel, marvel mystery oil or he'll just regular Liquid wrench. Pull the plugs and squirt a BUNCH down into all the cylinder. Let it soak for a few days and do it again. They sell a tool to turn the crank on the engine that hooks into the flywheel, flex plate on the truck from the bottom. Remove the cover and hook the bar in and try to Turn the engine over. I have also done it with a large socket on the crank nut with a breaker bar.The transmission needs to be in neutral for this. I have had them break loose with this treatment and actually run just fine! If and when you do get it to break loose, before trying to crank the engine you want to turn it over a few dozen times with the plugs out to get all that lubricant out of the cylinders. Replace the spark plugs, change the oil and crank it. Mind you, it's going to smoke like a mosquito truck for a good little while. If there is no internal damage, it should run just fine. I did one a couple months back on a restored 66 Impala. Car is still running great. Just an option.

 

[mechted]

Keep in mind that there will be lots of little parts to replace as well.

This. If its rubber, count on replacing it. (every fuel and vacuum line, brake lines, tires, windshield wipers... etc)
Inspect the suspension and body mount bushings, if there is something that needs fixing now, take care of it, but most can probably wait until the truck is running again.
Other fun activities:
Change every fluid on it: fuel (get rid of whatever is in the tank), transmission, brake, power steering, both differentials
Plan on a full brake inspection at the minimum. Just because they "feel okay" does not mean they are road worthy. Pull the calipers and drums and give everything a good cleaning/inspection.
Likely to have some worn out wheel/axle seals as well. Front axle bearings will need fresh grease as well.

 

[imiceman44]

Just a thought but if the truck was stored inside for that amount of time I might take a little time and try to get it "Unstuck". It's a fairly easy process if you want to at least try. Get some diesel, marvel mystery oil or he'll just regular Liquid wrench. Pull the plugs and squirt a BUNCH down into all the cylinder. Let it soak for a few days and do it again. They sell a tool to turn the crank on the engine that hooks into the flywheel, flex plate on the truck from the bottom. Remove the cover and hook the bar in and try to Turn the engine over. I have also done it with a large socket on the crank nut with a breaker bar.The transmission needs to be in neutral for this. I have had them break loose with this treatment and actually run just fine! If and when you do get it to break loose, before trying to crank the engine you want to turn it over a few dozen times with the plugs out to get all that lubricant out of the cylinders. Replace the spark plugs, change the oil and crank it. Mind you, it's going to smoke like a mosquito truck for a good little while. If there is no internal damage, it should run just fine. I did one a couple months back on a restored 66 Impala. Car is still running great. Just an option.

It also might be the reason it went to storage that long ago, the engine seized, didn't have time to deal with it, to storage it went

 

[Greg72]

This. If its rubber, count on replacing it. (every fuel and vacuum line, brake lines, tires, windshield wipers... etc)
Inspect the suspension and body mount bushings, if there is something that needs fixing now, take care of it, but most can probably wait until the truck is running again.
Other fun activities:
Change every fluid on it: fuel (get rid of whatever is in the tank), transmission, brake, power steering, both differentials
Plan on a full brake inspection at the minimum. Just because they "feel okay" does not mean they are road worthy. Pull the calipers and drums and give everything a good cleaning/inspection.
Likely to have some worn out wheel/axle seals as well. Front axle bearings will need fresh grease as well.

^^^^^^. This.

There is a romantic notion of taking a classic vehicle out of storage, and magically turning the key and having it start on the first try.

The reality is that a lot of things go wrong in 18 years.... gas in the tank is more like shellac. Brake fluid is completely saturated with water.... rubber lines are cracked and unsafe. Work through those kinds of issues methodically, and gain some experience and familiarity with your new truck in the process.

Getting a “free” 1st Gen puts you waaaay ahead of the game already. It’s going to be an awesome experience to get it running again.

-G