69 GMC "Ol' Blue"

[7dee2]

Hey looky there, nice!

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Looks like the rad support and hydroboost cleaned up nice. Any particular reason for using the blazer radiator? Good to see that you're getting after it.

Like most of the original parts, the old one was destroyed and leaking. This one came with the engine when I bought it, so I thought what the hell

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Hey looky there, nice!

Thank you Brett! Maybe in another 10 years, I'll be as close as you are on yours

[7dee2]

Find the time to get it running (perfect winter project) then send it out for paint this spring! All done, your welcome!

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Find the time to get it running (perfect winter project) then send it out for paint this spring! All done, your welcome!

Haha, that sounds like a good plan. Devil is in the details though

[mjensen]

Happy Thanksgiving all! I'm excited to report that I am slowly making some more progress! A friend of the family made me a bracket for my radiator, as well as my ECM! I'm excited to get it this weekend and get it mounted. I'm also going to check some mundane stuff off the list to get me closer to firing up! Boring stuff like plugs, wires, distributor and oil filter. I know it's not exciting, but it's on my startup checklist workbook so it should feel good to gain some forward momentum on the beast. Here's a pic that my buddy sent me of my ECM bracket that I will mount under the dash.

[7dee2]

Nice, very profesh!

[lawest]

Originally Posted by mjensen

Happy Thanksgiving all! I'm excited to report that I am slowly making some more progress! A friend of the family made me a bracket for my radiator, as well as my ECM! I'm excited to get it this weekend and get it mounted. I'm also going to check some mundane stuff off the list to get me closer to firing up! Boring stuff like plugs, wires, distributor and oil filter. I know it's not exciting, but it's on my startup checklist workbook so it should feel good to gain some forward momentum on the beast. Here's a pic that my buddy sent me of my ECM bracket that I will mount under the dash.

Attachment 1593330

So the boring stuff is the only part of your project I understand. Don't even know how to spell ECM! Funny how much your right hand exhaust pipe looks like mine, and for the same problem. I started with a Heartthrob kit and had to modify just about everything. Will still need to have tail pipes fabbed up to get around the tank. Lookin good, keep at it and you will be done soon.

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Nice, very profesh!

Thanks Brett! Yeah, I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. My buddy is quite the metal man

Originally Posted by lawest

So the boring stuff is the only part of your project I understand. Don't even know how to spell ECM! Funny how much your right hand exhaust pipe looks like mine, and for the same problem. I started with a Heartthrob kit and had to modify just about everything. Will still need to have tail pipes fabbed up to get around the tank. Lookin good, keep at it and you will be done soon.

Yeah, everything on this truck has been a modification of some sort thanks to wanting to put that overdrive setup in it. Thank you for the words of encouragement!

[mjensen]

Got a few more little items done this weekend. Finished mounting the radiator, dropped in the distributor, and installed the serpentine belt. Small progress, but progress anyway

[7dee2]

Good job, what’s next on the list? You are so close to hearing that exhaust!

[mjensen]

Well, I'm down to some wiring, fluids, heater core, oil cooler (or plug both for now). I did get the plugs/plug wires, ecm mounted, and oil filter spun on. I think within the next couple of weeks, we'll be ready to crank her over!

[rgunlock]

Amazing how much "stuff" has to be hooked up to get to the point of a startup. I hope your startup goes well for you.

[7dee2]

[Dieselwrencher]

Same here. It is looking nice. Keep up the great work!

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Amazing how much "stuff" has to be hooked up to get to the point of a startup. I hope your startup goes well for you.

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Originally Posted by Dieselwrencher

Same here. It is looking nice. Keep up the great work!

Thank you all!!! I appreciate the words of encouragement! Right now I'm battling the starter for this truck. It appears that the only option available for this year has an additional bolt hole that my original didn't have. I've posted a question about it, but if anyone following along has any suggestions...I'm all ears

[r8e1d]

Mike, just read through the build, Great looking truck man. As for the starter, do you have the original for the 465 bell housing or does the 94 block have provisions for a starter? I have an original if you need it could probably use a rebuild though.

Red

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by r8e1d

Mike, just read through the build, Great looking truck man. As for the starter, do you have the original for the 465 bell housing or does the 94 block have provisions for a starter? I have an original if you need it could probably use a rebuild though.

Red

Thank you Red! I appreciate the words of encouragement. The engine is out of a '91 Blazer and has the provisions for the block mounted starter, but the bellhousing is the original and won't quite fit the newer style. I know I could clearance the BH, but I think it would be easier to just stick the original one back in. I was able to call the parts store, and they still have my original starter, so I'm going to take the new one over and see if they'll let me swap the nose cones around. I'm sure they will no longer honor the warranty after that swap, but at this point I think it's all I can do. Thank you for the offer! I really appreciate that.

[mjensen]

After running over to the parts store, they informed me that there was a starter change mid-year and they sold me the wrong one. They had one in stock, and we're in business! Small progress, but it's still progress! I'm going to finish up connecting the fuel pump wire today and probably call it a day.

[mjensen]

It was actually a pretty productive weekend of getting small items checked off my list. The remaining items are:

• Power steering hoses
• Hook up ECM (power & sensors)
• Install heater core/AC Unit
• Engine mount bolts
• Oil cooler and hoses
• Battery
• Oil
• Coolant
• Power steering fluid

After which, I should be able to fire this baby up!!!

[rgunlock]

Good deal on not having to do surgery on the starter. That to-do list is starting to look pretty manageable!

[7dee2]

Good progress Mike!

[mud.man.rj]

Nice luck on the starter..winning a bit at a time.
Mudman.

[mjensen]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

Good deal on not having to do surgery on the starter. That to-do list is starting to look pretty manageable!

Yeah, I think it's going to be ready to fire up within a week or two!

Originally Posted by 7dee2

Good progress Mike!

Thanks Brett! Not going as quick as yours, but I'm definitely making forward progress.

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

Nice luck on the starter..winning a bit at a time.
Mudman.

Thanks Mudman!

I'm here tonight trying to figure out what power steering lines I need. I have one of the lines that goes from the HB to the steering gear, but that's it.

[mjensen]

Only small progress made. In trying to hook up the heater core, I realized that I needed a fitting to connect it to the intake manifold. Ordered that. Then, I picked up some power steering hoses for the HB setup. The ends are the o-ring style, so they will need to get cut off and replaced with the inverted flare style at the steering gear. You would think that there would be a local resource that would have the tube nuts I need for that...nope. Yet another speedbump. Only thing I was able to do was get the harness fed through the firewall, but hey, it's one more thing that needed to be done. :-)