Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Nice build so far!! I like the touch of red around all the black and grey. Hope you don't mind me stealing it

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Why thank you sir! I don't mind at all!! :)

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Thank you!!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I had custom aluminum spacers made because i dont know what happened to mine when i took my truck apart. It's always bugged me that I wasnt using the right part though. But maybe a spacer is a spacer is a spacer...

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Spacer is a spacer buddy. I had stacked up washers in there for a bit until I found mine. Lol.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Installed my extra deep aluminum transmission pan tonight. With the installation came another item added to the "I didn't think about that" list...

I think I will have to change the front drive line around since it looks like my new pan may not allow for the big CV joint to clear. (Sad face)

I still need to get the drivelines altered... so there is my silver lining.
I guess I will have to hold the CV joint in place and see what it looks like later this week.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

So here is my very important question: How are you going to keep all that beautiful work clean once you are driving your rig?!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I'm dealing with custom shafts right now. What trans are you running?

I've got a 700r4 (moved the engine forward and left the Tcase in the stock location) and I know with a stock pan and a CV it's going to be maybe .25" clearance. I think a deep pan isnt an option for my set up....I'll be watching this.

I'm also running 6" alcan springs - whats your lift?

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Well sir, in lush green western Washington state I will have about 9 months a year to detail it out for the summertime cruising. Lol.

I don't plan on running a top, strictly using this thing for summer play time. I plan on getting down to the dunes with it maybe once a year and that will be about as dirty as it gets. ;)

Remember, I have issues.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I was searching on another off road forum and saw that a guy used a long yoke set up making the drive shaft small through that area... running it without a CV... not sure this is a good option for me. Another fella ditched the aluminium pan for a chrome pan and then beat it in with a soft mallet... not sure that is in the cards for me either... I plan on heading down to the driveline guys tomorrow to pick some brains. My lift is a bit of a mash up... 4" soft ride up front, and then Sky Jacker's version of the 4" soft ride in the rear. I added in the ORD 1" add-a-leafs at all corners to get me at 5" overall.

I will let you know what they say. :(

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

700r4 as well?

I swear when i did this research years ago (my project is a looooong one) i determined a CV joint with a stock pan cleared...now im unsure.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Th350 sir.

CV with stock pan will work, at least that has been my experience.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

My pulley and bracket set up arrived today.
Install actually went smooth.

I should see my drivelines next week.
The front driveline will not have a CV, looks like I will run a 2" shaft. That should leave me plenty of room between the driveline and tranny pan.

Sadly the driver side header will not fit. I have to notch the frame a bit, but even with that - the collector points into the spring shackle making that a real tight fit. Not sure what my next move is... I don't want to cut into the frame just to see what I thought was a tight fit become a not fitting situation.

With that said, has anyone used or looked at Sanderson exhaust manifolds before?
I may go this route and use these headers in another project down the road. See the picture I pulled from another site... Thoughts?

I will post some picks of the drivelines once I pick them up and get them installed.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I had the same problem with the headman headers I installed. Had to notch the frame. No big deal. I am never going to sell it so I don't have to ever explain why I did it

That was about 12 years ago and no problems with frame

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Were yours mid length or full drag length? I'm not worried about notching the frame, just worried that once I do I will be in the same situation with a header that is now not useable do to the shackle location. Lol

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Full

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I run the Sanderson block huggers on my Jeepster. Quality header and great fit!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Awesome! You have any pics?
Are you running the v6?

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I can take some (will probably post crooked!). I had these on the stock 225 and put them on the 252 (4.1) that is in there now; worked great and fit both. I know the engine is dirty (took the Jeepster to Moab a while back and have not cleaned it since) but you should get the idea. Let me see what I can post tomorrow.....

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Thank you sir!!!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Not the best (and I can try to provide better lighting or take different angles if you wish); hope they help. While I know that there are cheaper ones out there, I have swapped these on 2 different engines and have no issues or leaks. If I ever decide to replace the ram horns on my Blazer (doubtful) I would have no issue grabbing another set of Sandersons.

Sorry for the dirty engine compartment!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Cool, thank you for taking the time!!!
They appear to fit real tight on the block. They look good, do they match up to the exhaust port well? They look like a square port near the flange in the one pic.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

No worries on grabbing the pics; sorry they were not the best.

They fit extremely well (Sanderson suggests mounting "bare", without any gaskets). I saw the square tube in the pic as well (had not realized it before) and cannot remember if the ports were square or not. These are specific to my engine (Buick v6) so I would suspect that they would be specific to your engine as well (I can't remember exactly what you have, and I am sure you already have the site, but here it is anyway! https://www.sandersonheaders.com/). As you can see in the pics I have these mounted with Allen head bolts and I have no leaks :)

Enjoying watching your build; happy to provide any additional pics that might help!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Good info! The no gasket part is impressive...
Thank you again, you are awesome!! :)

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Happy to (try) help!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Update.

I've been away for a while, lost in the land of home improvement for the Wife.
Finally... I'm getting back to fun stuff.

I am getting my Blazer body back from the blaster this weekend in a light primer. I plan on moving my body and misc body items to my boss's house in order to start the body and paint process. Yay!

I'll update once I get some progress.
Merry Christmas!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

It looks to be in really good condition coming from the blaster. If you don't have to fight rust you are almost finished. I will be following along.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I was immensely pleased with the condition of the body in regard to rust. My friend is having his 76 F150 being done at the same time, he has not been as lucky. Lol, he had a bullet hole in his cab as well... it made me laugh, if it is not rust, or dents - then it is bullet holes. Ha!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

PS - thanks for following along!

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Nice. Thanks for the update.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

I'm jumping on to watch

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Quick update!

My day job has been slowly killing me, so the Blazer progress has been limited.

Since my last post I changed directions on the paint and body, I now have it at a local body shop... hoping to have it home before Thanksgiving.

Once the major body work is complete, and in primer/guide coat, it will get Rhino lined inside and underneath... after that, we are back to the shop for paint.

Let's see, what else...

I finally got my front driveline back and in place. The driveline process was painful, and expensive. Let's just say I was caught off guard. Not pleased, but it fits and should work.

I also got my tranny shifter in place as well. I went with a Gennie Shifter. I had to mess with the mount to get it to fit, and I am somewhat satisfied with it... I need to mess with the bolt up at the back on the housing. I have a 4-speed handle mocked up for right now. I haven't decided what I am doing for a shifter handle yet... still have plenty of time.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

It looks good, I hope the shop does what they say. Don't want it stuck in paint prison.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Looking forward to seeing it rhino lined. I'm thinking of going in that direction.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

You have a great Blazer going there. I am not a fan of rhino lining any portion of a Blazer. It lowers the value significantly in my opinion. In any event, nice build underway and I look forward to seeing more progress.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Here are some pics of the Rhino lining I had applied. I hope to get the body back from paint and mated to the chassis over the weekend... looks like I may have to skip out and take a 1/2 day on Friday. Yes!!!

As far as hurting the value of the Blazer as a whole... with the liner added, I get it. For the people looking for the all original, unmolested truck to buy or restore - this would hurt the value. On the other hand, I may be buried in this thing... I don't plan on selling it, I will let my boys worry about that when I'm dead. Lol. ;)

Thank you guys for all of the compliments, this has been a long haul for me. I appreciate the encouragement.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

More pics

516 Orange was the choice.

The hardest part was finding a decent used passenger side fender. No aftermarket metal! Except for the rockers... :(

It is fun to see a bunch of body/paint guys excited to work on my Blazer rather than the insurance work coming in their door.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Heater box refurbished...

I had the under dash box powder coated, and I painted the plastic portion.
Strangely enough, all of my internal rubber and foam was is great shape.

The outer box got a paint job, I wanted to satin clear the box - but it had a lot of weird discoloration and rust marks that I could not get sanded out of it. Statin black is what happened, I'm a bit disappointed, but I think it will look good in the end.

The bolt that was formed into the heater box mold makes me laugh. There was two places... someone was having a bad day.

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

More pics...

First time I have ever pop riveted anything, it is fun.
I'm odd. Sorry.

Ha! ;)

Re: 1972 Build thread.
 

Nice progress!