Hello from AK. Just bought a 78 K5. It runs but definitely needs work. No doubt I'll be asking for help soon. The transfer case and carb will need replaced as well as it needs many gaskets and seals. I'll post tranny/engine, etc... info over the next couple days. My mechanical experience is limited but I'd like to do as much of the work as possible.

 

great trucks to start working on. everything is simple, biggest problem is rusted bolts

 

Welcome from New York.

 

Just trying to decide if it's worth fixing up or if I should try to find a different one. It would be a daily year-round driver. I can upgrade it over time but I need it running good now.

The Bad:
Carburetor - I don't want to lose power but I also don't want to get 8 miles a gallon. I believe switching to fuel-injection accomplishes both but I'd like more opinions. If it gives me both power and gas mileage, does it matter if it's 2 or 4-barrel?

Transfer Case - It's a 203 and it's toast. I've researched a bit and it seems as if the np208 is the best way to go for a daily driver. I understand I'll need locking hubs and that possibly the drive-line will need modifying/changing but I want the full spectrum.

Starter - old and worn out.

Cooling System - Coolant began boiling over on me while driving 65-70 on the highway yesterday after about 5 minutes of driving. Haven't looked at it yet. I just parked it in the garage.

Exhaust - Had it parked beside my pick-up for maybe a 1 minute yesterday (before the coolant episode but I didn't notice it until after); that's when I found out that the K5 tailpipe was the same height as my 1500 rocker panel. Big black mark.

That's all for now. Well, it does need many new gaskets/seals, it has rust but not too bad, etc... but it's those other things that give me a little concern. The guy I bought it from said it may have 3 bad cylinders but I don't think so and neither do 2 mechanics. I'm am going to check before I start fixing it up; that would change things.

 

Welcome.

Conditions of the fluids?

Bad cylinders? May be able to isolated but unplugging spark plug wires one at a time and judge idle quality. Cost=FREE.

Then if all checks out maybe a block tester kit is about $60. Would let you know if you're getting exhaust into the coolant. Personally, I'd start there.

The black on your 1500 could be just a rich condition from the carb.

Then compression and leakdown tests?

Good Luck!

BTW something easy to check, and this may sound dumb but if the exhaust goes UNDER the rear axle this too could cause your black stain. Learned this one the hard way on my first truck at 16 yrs old. Needed an exhaust and installed myself not knowing pretty much anything. The other kids at school learned quickly not to park anywhere near me as at startup it would expel black soot onto the cars parked on either side.

 

Thanks for the info. It'll give me some things to do over the next few days. It's been a while since I've worked on a vehicle. I'm actually looking forward to it.

 

Sorry for the slow response.

The Blazer ended up needing more than I had money/time for. I have sold it. K-5's are still one of my favorite rides. I will get another someday.

Thanks for the tips.

 

awe you sold the greatest vehicle known to man well welcome and too bad...yes hopefully you can pick up another without so many expensive issues!!

 

Well, I had to choose between payinf for storage for about a year or sell and look for another later. I'm in Thailand for school. Thailand won. But ya, I will have another someday.