1984 K5 Blazer 4x4 build

[mercado1211]

Here we have cracks in the frame from previous owner drilling into the frame after busting the top off the original mount. I welded, filled the cracks rebuilt and relocated the mount to the top of the frame and fabbed this strap to support the side of the shock. Did this to both sides, they both had stress fractures at or near shock mounts.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mercado1211]

Passenger side.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mercado1211]

Here’s the engine going in for the second time.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mercado1211]

Here it is after the engine came out the second time. Wheels are 15x10 American racing Baja type wheel, with Cooper 33/12.5/15 MT’s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mercado1211]

Drove it a few times today, trying to get all the bugs worked out. Trying to determine what else it needs to be safe on the road. Brakes felt spongy, I rebuilt the rear drums and think I got some air in them from opening up the lines. Also doing some tuning on the carburetor and ignition timing. It’s running about 20” of vacuum so that’s probably good. Have the vac advance line into the upper port and seems to run and shift better than full vacuum side (driver side).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VileZambonie]

Did you determine what the knock was?

[mercado1211]

I still haven’t. The machine shop went through the block and said cylinder 5 was a little tight and honed it again. They checked the clearances on the block and crank and said it was good. It picks up good oil pressure. The only thing I can think of is a bad lifter or needs an oil change. We put it together with oil and lithium grease so it may need to burn all that out and have fresh oil. It’s not a tick either, it’s a loud rap.

My wife’s uncle is a mechanic and used to be a machinist (he put it together and I helped), he said it might be pinging from low octane fuel. I’ve heard pinging before and it’s louder than that. I pulled each plug wire off one by one and ran it and it doesn’t change the knock sound.

I don’t know at this point. I figure just run it till it does what it’s going to do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mike81K10]

Could have a problem with your crank or crank bearings, rod bearings, push rod, or lifter/adjustment.

[mercado1211]

We put new main bearings in, new rod bearings, all the clearances seemed to have checked out. Everything was spec’d be the machine shop. I’m leaning towards rocker adjustments now, or a lifter. Pushrods we’re straight. Runs fine other than loud knock. Seems quieter on cold start up and louder when it gets to operating temperature.

Thanks for the reply.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JohnnyPopper]

Quieter when the oil is cold and move viscous. Makes sense, most likely a lifter.

I've seen Rislone work wonders.

BTW, LOOKING GOOD!!!

[mercado1211]

Hey there you are! Thanks Johnny!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Shifty]

Keep in mind that almost all lifters nowadays are from China. 

[mercado1211]

I think I’m going to pull the driver’s side lifters out this weekend and have a look at them. If any of them don’t look right I’ll take them apart and check them out. Maybe I’ll just take them apart and clean them.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VileZambonie]

What brand lifters did you go with? Roller or regular hydraulic?

[mercado1211]

Not sure of the brand, they’re hydraulic roller lifters, they guy who built the motor the first time around doesn’t answer my calls. I was trying to get that info from him. We put the same ones back in after it was built again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk