Hello blazer community,
I have just recently acquired a 1981 K5 blazer. I'm looking at doing extensive work on it to get it to it's potential in both mechanical and cosmetic areas.
A bit of backstory on the truck, my father purchased this truck off of a friend back between 90-92 in the lower mainland B.C. During the time he owned this truck, it never failed him once. He needed her to fire and she would. She only broke down on him three times. Two of the times he was in a mall parking lot with a parts store, and the other he was 5 minutes away from a parts store.
In 1996 she did a round trip to Saskatchewan through the B.C mountains with no problems. In 1997 she did it one more time with a full trailer load as we moved east.
She continued her faithfull service until 2003 when finally the small problems that had been building up became large ones. Both cosmetic problems and several heavy mechanical ones. The final death blow was the complete failure of the carbuerator and age of the engine resulting in no power to speak of and inability to get above 60 k. She was parked.
The first truck I ever drove I love this vehicle and have coveted it and tried to both swindle and purchase this truck off my father. Finally, he gave it to me and my wife as a wedding present. So now, restoration must begin. Most immediatly three things must be done.
The engine (305) must be replaced entirely. The rear differential has chipped teeth and must be replaced. And finally the brakes (drums all around) must also be replaced.
Along with these are a laundry list things that need to be done in time but not IMMEDIATLY, the driveline, transmission (mostly just to get am overdrive) and the steering assembly is beggining to get old. Beyond these it is mechanically sound, just cosmetics after that. I was looking at spending 5000$ on a new (to me) vehicle but have now chosen to spend it on this now.
My reason for searching out this forum and making this post: granted I am no mechanic and have not alot of experiance with vehicles, I do have some men who are much smarter than I helping I would like to ask any of you who are willing to help for such.
Things like is it worth it to make the switch to a 350 engine instead for the cost and what changes would I have to go through to do so? Have you seen any good ads or know of anyone selling any of the parts I have afor mentioned? (I'll mention I live in Saskatchewan Canada)
Any advise at all would be appreciated or any other sites instrumental to the rebuilding of this truck who has earned her place in the world 20 times over.
Thank you.
Edit - I also forgot to mention what other engines from other years of trucks would fit into her. Honetly, I'm just looking to get information from people who are much smarter than me in these matters.
