I have a '79 K5 Blazer I bought about 6 months ago, it runs good, just a few minor issues I want to deal with.
This truck was born with a 305 engine in it. It now has a 350 with rv cam. which lead to the following problems:
- vacuum operated heat riser valve. This is currently connected directly to manifold vacuum instead of the tvs. Does the vacuum hold this valve open or closed? My stupid hanes manual has a typo in it that basically states that the vacuum both opens and closes the valve. I've tried both positions, but there dosen't seem to be much of a difference.
- throttle valve cable. It is an inch too short to fit on the throttle lever. Do these things come in different lengths, or do they have different brackets for different engine/ carb configurations? (I have a quadrajet 4mv.) I'm thinking I'll just hack the bracket.
It burns oil on startup, much more so when cold, but it clears up fairly quickly. Is that usually valve guides, rings, or a combination of both?
What type of oil is best? I used 5w30 in the winter, 10w30 for summer. or should 5w30 year round?
The transfer case is a np203, but the front axle has locking hubs. I'm not sure weather the hubs were installed in order to run in 2wd with the tcase in hi-loc or weather the entire front axle was swapped. I've read that the locking mechanism on the np203 was weak, so I've just been driving it in hi. It is hard to shift into the "loc" positions. Is that a sign of trouble to come, or is it more likeley the linkages?
Lastly, What guage sheet metal is used on the chevy trucks? I'm going to replace the rockers, and rear fender sections, but there are couple of places where I could just weld some paches in.
thanks in advance,
-Chris
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