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Reusing this thread:Pic and cranking 12/16/07

simpleman83

simpleman83

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Reusing this thread: Easy Quick Question.... Now Pic and cranking 12/16/07

So, I just bought an 88 blazer 350TBI/SM465/NP208 and I've got a bit of work to do on it including a bunch of wiring I believe. I know from searching that none of the regular manuals do a very good job explaining the wiring diagrams and stuff like that, so I have found some stuff on here for those diagrams. Other than that, is there a vote on what the best and easiest to use service manual is? Chilton or Haynes? or something else?
 
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GM factory manual set. Usually at least 3 for later years. Emissions, Service, and Electrical.

They aren't really "easy" to understand (the wiring diagrams) when you first start, but get the right one, for the right year, and there will be no question. What are you looking to fix? There is a thread started by me, "troubleshooting" in the title, that has links to wiring, some factory IIRC. Maybe for '90, but it's going to be pretty darn close, depending on what you are dealing with.

I only have '91 diagrams, so not much help there either for '88 specific stuff. Shouldn't be much different though, Instrument Cluster/Vehicle speed related stuff should be about the only differences.
 
x2 on factory manuals. The correct factory manuals are usually pretty cheap on ebay. There is a specific wiring manual. You may have to check bad every couple days 'till the one you need pops up.
 
Thats awesome guys, thanks for all that. dyeager535 I saw your post and read through it pretty well. In addition to the electrical manual I'm just wanting to buy a general readthrough that will show how to do most stuff, not necessarily electrical, when it does arise. I know that the chilton and haynes both aren't going to be as complete or detailed as the gm factory manuals but I figure they'll help with most stuff.
 
If your like me and unless its basic wiring, electricity confuses the hell out of you, my best advice is make friends with an electrition. I have the advantage of military engineering conections, I fix their engine problems, they fix my wiring, then we drink a beer in rejoice:haha:, but it still helps to have some one who realy knows whats going on. If you know anyone in the electrical field they will be able to figure out most problems with little more than a volt meeter. Besides that you will love the 465
 
drop the hammer said:
Besides that you will love the 465
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I can't wait, that is probably my favorite part of this find. I had been looking for the 350TBI setup so I wouldn't have to do the conversion and all that and I stumbled upon the setup that can't go wrong, I guess the weak link is the 208 and thats still pretty strong.... the 10 bolt in back is an easy fix that will be one of the first chores once I find a 14 somewhere in a junkyard.

I do have a couple buddies that worked at a landcruiser shop throughout highschool and stuff, one of them knows a lot about wiring and all that so I plan to lean on him and the multimeter a lot while I'm trying to get this thing up and running....
 
simpleman83 said:
I can't wait, that is probably my favorite part of this find. I had been looking for the 350TBI setup so I wouldn't have to do the conversion and all that and I stumbled upon the setup that can't go wrong, I guess the weak link is the 208 and thats still pretty strong.... the 10 bolt in back is an easy fix that will be one of the first chores once I find a 14 somewhere in a junkyard.

I do have a couple buddies that worked at a landcruiser shop throughout highschool and stuff, one of them knows a lot about wiring and all that so I plan to lean on him and the multimeter a lot while I'm trying to get this thing up and running....
Click to expand...

It pays to have the right friends. 208's have a fairly decent track record under mild too moderate use. My advice is buy the 205 and wait for the 208 to break, (if it ever does) and then swap. My truck was a 700R4/208. and I knew something would eventually fail they way I was beating on it. About 6 months before the tranny cracked & blew I already have my 465/205 in the basement ready and waiting. Its nice to be a step ahead. Enjoy the granny gear, you'll feel like you can crawl over a brick wall
 
Electrical is easy. There are a fair number of wires, I think the most complex thing I've dealt with yet is the interior lighting circuit lol. It was just as difficult (just not as many wires) as adding fuel injection wiring to the truck to be honest.

GM set is going to be the best. I used to use the Haynes, but by necessity, they MUST be brief and generic. They take a lot of information out of the GM manuals and simply use it with some updated pictures, but the wiring diagrams are absolutely terrible, and I'm not even sure they cover VSS for instance in those manuals. To cover every nuance, of every year, would be 1000's of pages at least.

Another option is to simply call your local library. If you can get into a large city or county library that has a system where they share books, it's almost guaranteed they have the factory manuals. Ours don't let you check them out, but you can photocopy. Handier to own, but if it's just one or two things, probably not worth the expense of buying.
 
Didn't even think of that... even though its obvious that the GM Manuals would be best and most detailed, etc. It would still be worth it to have a haynes around though, right? I mean, you could figure out most stuff by using that, right? After I get it running the next couple projects will most likely include regearing and locker, replacing the clutch (since mine comes with a brand new one for the 465, just not installed). After I drain all fluids and start over with that.....
 
I'd say no, you can't figure it out from Haynes.

You probably won't even find any info about TBI in it. Maybe, but I doubt it. It gets more critical on this stuff when diagnosing why your rig won't start for instance. Haynes won't help you at all.

Rebuild your 208? Changing water pump? Probably will cover that. (but have wrong info depending on your year lol) I would give the Haynes a "better than nothing" rating. :)
 
fair enough, I guess I'll order the GM Manual for electric stuff and get it up and running and then maybe use the haynes for other stuff. Also, I think I'm a moron and cant' figure out how to load pics if someone could help me in the test lab i'd appreciate it
 
Well, keep your eyes open for the complete set. I don't think I paid but $50 for it, and they can be shipped "media mail" which is ultra cheap compared to regular.
 
will these work or should I get the blazer ones? Don't the 4x4 trucks all have IFS? should I be looking for specifically blazers then...
 
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i have 3 factory ones for mine, given to me by a friend, they explain everything........wiring diagram one, 88 service, 86 service too
 
cool, but are they the ones shown? these say they are for the c/k pickup wondering if there are seperate ones for blazers/burbans?
 
I think you want the V manuals. In '88 the C and K series pickups were the new IFS trucks, and the blazers, suburbans, and crew cabs were called the V series. IIRC, the manuals should be for the V, R? (2WD?), and P? (commercial) trucks.
 
allright, I guess I'll keep my eye out for those then, it seems like the set of them is a much better deal than trying to find them all individually...
 
Brought it back home

I finally got the 88 back home.... had it towed about 30 miles here, immediately went to pep boys and bought a radiator they had in stock, and a new red top optima. Installed, and started up. I can't believe the deal I got, the guy was real cool, but he really could have put about 2 hours of work into this thing and sold it to someone for a lot more... Drove it across the street into my apt complex and got going up the parking deck, got almost to the top and it started over heating. So turns out I've gotta do a little bit more work, and make sure that the radiator fluid and stuff is circulated better. Hopefully its nothing more than that, I'm happy I got it started up and going so easily though, keeping my fingers crossed that everything keeps going smoothly..

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