1974 Chevy K5 Blazer - $3K Thrill Rides

I had no idea what was in the fuel tank, if it was even gas, or how old it was. I figured I would first see if the fuel pump worked, so I turned the engine over for 15-second intervals and allowed the starter to cool for a minute between them. After doing this about five times, I saw that something was starting to come out of the fuel line into my catch bucket that looked clear enough and smelled like gas. I poured five gallons of fresh fuel into the Blazer's gas tank, installed a fuel filter on the old fuel line, and hooked it up to the carb. Lo and behold, after turning the engine over for another 15 seconds, the thing started and ran quite smoothly. I let it run for a few minutes, admiring my work (or maybe luck). One thing I noticed after it had been running for about 10 minutes was that the engine was still idling really high and that the throttle was sticky in operation. I tried to adjust it, lubricated the linkage, and checked for vacuum leaks, but nothing helped.

Since I grew up in the era of fuel injection, carburetor problems were not something I had much experience with. Considering I wanted a little more power, the fact that the K5 was emissions exempt, and I knew that an off-road carb would handle better angles, I quickly reasoned out how buying a Holley Truck Avenger carb was a necessity. For about $390 from Summit Racing, it was worth it to me. And while I was cruising the Summit 'site, I noticed that the Weiand Street Warriors manifolds were well under $200. How could I resist?

I checked all the fluid levels of the axles, the transfer case, and the transmission. I ended up adding a few quarts of fluid to the tranny, but that was about it. K5 Blazers could get away with 4 inches of lift and no driveshaft changes, and I didn't have enough money for gears and a locker. Other than adding some fluid and checking the brakes, bearings, and joints, the drivetrain of this K5 was pretty much left alone.

I checked all the fluid levels of the axles, the transfer case, and the transmission. I en

Drivetrain
With the engine ready, it was time to see what was up with the transmission. I tried putting it in gear when I first had the engine idling and it jerked slightly, but then nothing. I found that the fluid level didn't even register on the dipstick, so I added a few quarts to the transmission. I checked the torque converter bolts, and everything looked hooked up correctly. I again started the engine, and for the first time in years, this Blazer was moving on its own power - and it took surprisingly little money and time to make it happen! This was a good start and I figured I would have the best $3K Thrillride of our group at this rate.

Body/Interior
I didn't do a single thing to the body and the interior except remove things. First, I removed the moss and dirt from the paint with a pressure washer. Then I removed a little bit of steel down at the bottom of the front fenders with the help of a Sawzall. Lastly, I removed about 50 pounds of dirt from the interior. That was all it took for my K5 to be cosmetically up to par with the rest of the group.

RIDING PROUDLY