CK5
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Ugly truckling build

not sure how i missed this thread. I really want to do a full top on my 78. Great look with the slot mags, i did just settle for soem 15x10 wagons though, im on 6" of lift and 37's so 8" width looks a bit funny. Love the factory paint too.
 
Looks good. I also have lifter tap on my Tahoe. The t goes away after the first 20
Seconds so i haven't tried to Replace it. Should be nice to have in your blazer. Are you Going to keep the envoy transfer case or swap?
 
So it's been a long time without an update on this thing!

I did get everything put together and had a great time at Dunefest!


There hasn't been any additional work done to the cage or truck really since then, just been enjoying the topless ride occasionally. I still have a bunch of tube to bend up and finish the cage with, that should happen this spring.

Now the big news, I've been given a FREE LS to swap in! My father in law has an 03 Envoy with the Aluminum 5.3 in it. He's replaced the truck, and offered it too me for free! It still runs and drives great, but has a nasty lifter noise on a cold start. The truck currently has 390k miles on an untouched engine, so he really wants to tear it down and check out what it looks like inside as opposed to selling it for bottom dollar.

Not completely sure what my build plan is yet, but I'll be freshening up the motor, and swapping in the new trans (rebuilt 50k ago). I believe the Envoy manifolds will clear the squarebody frame, so those may get used. I also have an ORD Big Block crossmsmber, so that will work with the LS.

Thanks
-Rob

Good update.. Love the slot wheels too. Good news on the LS. Couple of things, the Trailblazer oil pan is NOT going to work in the K5. The 5.3's in the Trailblazer as well as the 6.0 in the SS version have a much larger sump than the truck pans with the added bonus of a hole that goes from side to side to allow for the axle to pass through it. You should be able to swap it out for a normal truck pan and oil pump pickup. I'd almost bet once you get the 5.3 apart you'll see a chewed up roller on one of the lifters and the corresponding cam lobe with similar marks on it. Since it sounds like you are planning on rebuilding it, you'll be replacing the cam/lifters anyway.
 
Cool deal with the LS swap. Also, seeing your K5 with the center seat section answered a question I have had, in regards to whether it would fit or not. Definitely want to pick up one for myself now!!! Truck looks great!
 
Thanks guys! It's been a busy few weeks, just now getting back to the truck!

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Grabbed the Envoy today, and started ripping into it. I removed everything around the engine that I could while keeping it movable.

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I also found the reason it's been showing Lean on the passenger side for a while. Two broken exhaust manifold bolts. I'm not looking forward to removing the rest of them, Michigan is not good to bolts!

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I hope to pull the engine in the next week or so!

-Rob
 
Yeah, I broke a couple bolts just getting it this far. Rust is a bitch, and this thing has 367k miles worth of Michigan rot.

I'll probably end up sandblasting everything to get it clean enough to use!

-Rob
 
Rob, with them broke off where they are, maybe they will come out of the aluminum heads better than Iron. I've done both sides of my 99-6.0...yeah they can be a bitch, but with that much bolt sticking out still you may be lucky!
good luck man.
 
What's next to the blazer?
And pics....

That's my Grandpa's old 1932 Chevy, restored ~1980, and I've been getting it back on the road a little bit.

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I've also been working on the Envoy a bit in the driveway before I pull it in the garage to extract the engine. It's about as torn down as I can get it while still keeping it movable under it's own power! The sawzall is a great tool for making room to work!

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-Rob
 
Cool!

32 Chevy must be kinda rare... At least compared to a 32 Ford..

Very rare, they didn't hold up as well as the Ford's, and just aren't nearly as popular. The body is fairly thin steel formed over a wooden frame, so when they rotted out, it was far more difficult to repair than the Ford. Plus the '32 Ford V8 was a huge part of their popularity. The I-6 "Mini Cadillac" Chevy's didn't have a lot going for them during that time period.

-Rob
 
Getting there, this rust is killing me though, there's no way these manifolds are coming off without a fight. I think I'll be cutting the bolt heads off of all of them.

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-Rob
 
More progress today! Got the manifolds off without breaking anymore bolts. It was a fight, but they're out!

Pulled the heads, wasn't quite expecting what I found. No abnormal wear, no ridges, just a little carbon buildup above the top ring location! Cylinders look damn near new, with solid crosshatch in all eight. There's no way you could convince me this engine has over 360k miles on it.

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-Rob
 
My father in law owned it from 40k - 367k miles, and never used synthetics, most oil changes done by drive-through lube shops with whatever they had on hand. He also only changed the oil based on the dash display %, but tracked miles. The lowest mileage he got out of an oil change was 3,500 miles (Mostly towing), the longest distance was almost 15k miles!

Thanks!
-Rob
 
No real updates as winter approaches here in Michigan. I blew all of my LS swap money on a new addition to the garage. Had a new Reznor 30k btu furnace installed! Keeps the garage at a nice toasty 70 degrees, should help my motivation to get some work done this winter.

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I like the double tool boxes, happy with them? I almost bought one last weekend but went with diy4x sliders instead.
 
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