Well, since I sold my bonneville about a month ago, I have been selling a bunch of unneeded stuff, and also looking for a new project to pass the time with. Several options came up, but in the end, I finally decided on this one:
1970 Blazer
rebuilt 350 (less than 5 hours run time)
4 Speed with granny low
New Heavy Duty 12" clutch
New brakes (pads, rotors, lines, Master cyl, booster, proportioning valve, etc)
Boxes of new parts
Boxes of spare used parts.
The body is basically done as far as metal work goes. just need some sanding to get the surface rust off. The only thing left to get that I can see to drive it is a gas tank and sending unit, rear hatch, and bumper brackets, and some rims and tires. I still have to put everything in still, but nothing really needs to be bought.
Plans right now are to hopefully get it driveable by mid summer, then this coming winter, I’ll pull the body off the frame and finish cleaning up the frame and underside of the body. Then sometime in the spring I’ll probably paint it, depending on funding.
This project is getting funded solely by selling of my previous projects and collections.
I can’t wait to take the top off, get in and drive it.
Just scored a 4" Rough country lift kit with around 3000 miles on it for $100. Only blocks in the rear, but it’ll work for now. Guy threw in a trashed hatch (good enough to keep the weather out) and a battery tray as well.
Working on getting the wiring in order next. That’ll be fun as I need to figure out how to wire in the HEI, and I need to figure out what parts are missing from the headlight harness.
Also have another pile of parts possibly coming this weekend.
I’m actually keeping my eyes open for a 2wd blazer/jimmy for just such a project, but for now, this one is staying up in the air.
I am looking at getting a second one for parts/driver usage. Will have to see. Missed out on a 2wd Longbed Step side 72 chevy pickup for cheap. Was going to make it a parts hauler since right now that is what the acura is for… and sucking at.
Well, did some more work to it, but no pictures yet.
I got a set of factory blazer rim for free from a friend of the family. Still need two trim rings, but scored the two missing centers for the rear for $1.10 at the junkyard.
I think found a set of 31x10.5x15’s with 80% tread for $100 for 4 in ithaca. Picked them up and had them mounted and balanced for free at a friend’s shop. Those are on the truck now, although I need to replace the wheel studs as a couple are missing.
This weekend I went ahead and started the wiring. I ended up with 3 dash harnesses, 2 engine harnesses and 3 headlight harnesses. Using those, and some spare connectors, I was able to make everything fit the factory diagram.
last night i was able to install them and test them. The truck didn’t start, so I went and trouble shooted as much as i could, but to know avail. Couple of other small issues (radio wiring, missing headlight dimmer, blinkers not working, etc) but I am hoping to have it run from the starter soon.
Today i was thinking about it at lunch and realized why it’s not starting most likely: I never pressed the clutch in. Yeah, kinda dumb. Now i get to sit here for 4 more hours wondering if it’s that simple.
And I have a used gas tank and strap hardware coming for $50 plus shipping that should be usable and will be installed as soon as it gets here.
Make sure you run a new wire to the HEI. all you need is a 12v ign. connection. The factory power wire for the old distrib has a built in resistor so it wouldnt burn out the points. If you reuse it it will run but not well.
Well, got it started from the key. Turned out to be a wiring issue with the starter as well as the clutch. It starts from the key, but with a bad battery, it’s not holding voltage while starting now so the HEI isn’t firing properly. Going to charge the battery or replace it and then go from there.
