GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
I've decided to do this as my Blazer could use a new motor. How doable is this for average thinkerer?
CK5
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Undertaking a 350 Motor Build
- Thread starter GalDemSuga
- Start date
BlazerBud
1/2 ton status
Anyone can do this. You just have to read, be curious, have lots of tools, money, friends, time, beer, pizza, and something else to drive.
BlazerBud
1/2 ton status
One other thing. I have everything on hand for engine swapping, and building, but not machining. Here is my advise, If you were going with a stock motor build, I think you could pick a strong used engine up cheap and just swap it in for far less effort and money than a rebuild, then you could build a Bad Mo-Fo Engine on the side at your own convenience. An engine swap removing the front grill can be done in just 4 or 6 hours. A rebuild will take........... Well, you may get stuck and it could take months
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
Truck runs with its current motor but I've grown tired of lifters or whatever it is that knocks when I hit the gas pedal. Plus the MPG's are dipping below 10 at the moment.
You can swap complete motor by removing core support?
Tx Surveyor
Registered Member
Pull the entire front end, including radiator. Just down to frame and motor.
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
Thats alot of stuff to remove. Is this simpler than removing it through the hood?
You only think it's allot to remove...but it's like eight bolts and the entire front end comes off. Gives you a ton of room to work around it. But yes, you can remove it through the top by taking the hood off.
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
Get outta here 8 bolts! I will look into this.
It actually might be a few more than that now that I think about it. 5 (6?) for each fender, 2 body mounts, and four for the hood, which you would be taking off anyways. But it comes off real easy.
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
I have removed the hood a few times. I will look carefully at the engine compartment I just cant picture this bieng that easy.
It's quite easy. Open the door, there are two bolts holding the fender on. There are atleast two in the wheel well going into the cab, and one more down by the rocker pannel going toward the outside of the truck. The body mounts are in the core support, two of them. If you're lucky...they will be froze in the rubber mounts so you can use an impact gun to zip the nuts off.
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
I will look at this at sun up. I'm currently trying to get a rebuilt motor off ebay.
Is your tick just an exhaust leak?
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
I dont know. It's only heard when I drive not while sitting at an idle.
Sounds like an exhaust leak to me! Look for cracks in your manifolds and blown out doughnuts 
What year is your K5?
What year is your K5?
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
Sounds like an exhaust leak to me! Look for cracks in your manifolds and blown out doughnuts
What year is your K5?
Dude I believe you guys nailed it. I went out and check the exhaust manifold @ the # 8 cylinder and BAMM it was missing one bolt and the other was backed out 3/4 of the way. I replaced the bolts and tightened them. I'll know for sure when I drive her in the morning
It's a 1989 K5 Silverado Edition.
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Exhaust leak will also explain your poor fuel economy -- The O2 sensor gives the ECM lean readings off the chart, so it pours in as much fuel as it can to try and "richen" things up and get the O2 sensor reading within spec. It can't possibly do it, and only winds up washing cylinder walls, fouling plugs and generally using a ton more fuel than it could possibly need.
GalDemSuga
1/2 ton status
Exhaust leak was the issue. There is no more knocking from motor and she idling good. I'm running WinALDL at the moment and will do some research on the results. Right now the BLM's are at 108 in Park and she's idling @ 650RPM and there are no flags.
Dabba
1/2 ton status
good job
