Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

I broke out a few other NOS pieces: AIR pump, grommets for the valve covers, oil caps, and bolt for the t-case shifter. Electroplating of El Paso did a good job on the rechromed shifter (http://www.electroplatingelpaso.com). I've got the chrome caps that cover the exposed division bars for the vent windows out for rechrome at the moment.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

I've been able to piece together the missing pieces for the CA emissions control that was original installed, which was most of it including manifolds, heat shroud, injection pipes, and this piece with the two hoses. Not sure what this piece (edit: diverter valve) is called but Im going to chase a better example and need to track down the gasket used to install it onto the pump.

Maybe corvette parts suppliers will have the gasket...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Spent yesterday sorting out all the engine brackets and associated replated hardware. Inching closer. On a whim I carted home a reman A6 AC compressor: the harness connections are at 2:00 but OEM is on 11:00 - may send the original compressor out for a rebuild.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Went with an internally regulated alternator. Resto mod I guess :)

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Polished up the rubber hose to the carb spacer and used replated Oem tower clamps.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Plug heat shields were replated. The tranny inspection cover would not pop into place: I suspect the nose cone for the starter doesn't match OEM. Sigh...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Loooking Goood!

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Looks great as always.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Looks great Pete. Moving along nicely. Are you sticking to the stock trans or thinking about upgrading to the 700R4?

When I was on the highway yesterday I kind of wish I did the 700R4 swap. When cruising at 65 mph my RPM's are about 2800 with the stock 3.07 gears that mine came with. Maybe sometime down the road I'll update mine to a 700R4.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Thanks guys. Mike, since the th350 was original to the truck it was rebuilt and is bolted into place. The 3.07 gears were replaced with 3.73s and I expect to run 33" tires. It's going to generate some rpms on the hwy! I've got a 700r4 in my my k20 w 4.10s and it cruises at speed nicely w low rpm.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Gosh...I sure do hate it when I miss an email alert. So much I've missed since Halloween. Great progress Pete. This is a special build. I'm tempted to say "keep up the great work"...but for you that's the same as saying: " Keep Breathing." Looks great!

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Very interesting thread Pete, all of yous (I know that's not a real word but I use it anyways!) are awesome Chevrolet folks!

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

This is going to be an excellent restoration, nice work.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Hey Pete when you get it done to your standards and ever need cash the Blazer should come in handy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-GMC-Ji...53.m1438.l2649

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Build is gaining steam since the holidays. Since my last post I've rebuilt the vent windows and pulled more parts off the shelf for assembly.

What a hassle the vent windows are to build. I sent the chrome trim for replating and made use of some nos pieces.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

But they turned out nice.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Doors and fenders on - AC box and misc other pieces ahead of the firewall.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

I found this NOS heater core - had date of February 1972 on the box, which coincides with assembly month for this blazer.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

The medium blue is growing on me - I can't wait to see it in the sun.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Underdash harness installed - plug and play M&H. I was able to source the following NOS components: switches for the dash, wiper motor w pump, ignition relay, ignition bezel, AC controller, ash tray, dash pad, defrost vents, AC center vent, cigarette lighter, and a glove box light.

I'll get better pics soon.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

....

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Greg with S/M Electrotech refurbished this truck FM for me and installed an aux coax jack. The underdash speaker is a working original. I placed some gaffers tape between the top of the chrome faceplate and the chassis - van radios had this and it reduces light bleeding through into the cab.

I'm using a NOS telescoping antenna correct for an AM radio: the fixed mast FM examples don't ever seem to clear a garage door.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

...

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Mice had chewed the foam rubber flapper from the inside of my duct assembly. I found this replacement with a 1968 date on the invoice. With all the dust I assume this sat for decades on a shelf in PA.

Re: 1972 Medium Blue Highlander Blazer Resto
 

Board member FAA benny refurbished this AC box for me and did a POA conversion for R134. The original AC hoses have been exchanged but the OEM metal fittings were kept. The original brass nut is still in place on the suction hose.