Some starting information: My grandfather used to restore cars, all classics. Some projects to note: 56 and 57 bel-airs, GT500, COMPLETE resorations including hand-sanding the frames etc. He doesnt have internet or anything, always drove down to Florida for parts. Name a hot American car from the 50s 60s 70s and he's had it. The latest project is a 74-77 Blazer...what a beast! Well over the past 2 years alot has come up, and the project wont be finished.

I just found out recently he was going to finish the project and give it to me as a gift, but b/c it wont be finished, they were gonna have it crushed! My father mistakenly implied that I was looking for a motor, and the 350 out of the Blazer was offered to me for free. Well I talked to my grandfather, and looks like I can take the whole thing for free.

Background on the Blazer: 74-77 style Blazer, one of the HUGE ones. It has the original 350 that has less than 2000 miles on a complete rebuild. 3-speed automatic 4-wheel drive, power steering. Baby-blue exterior paint with the White stripe on the side. Complete Blue interior with vinyl seats, and bench seat in the back. Removable white camper top for going "trucking." It even has the ORIGINAL rims from 74!

The engine stuff: The engine has less than 2000 on a complete rebuild, but the problem arises when I realize the engine has been patiently sitting in the Blazer for about 2-3 years. No fluids in it except oil and power steering. My grandfather hooked a battery up to it and turned it over about once a month during this period to oil the internals, but otherwise hasnt been able to do anything else with it except some basic maintenance. The engine is rated at 175HP and 275 tq, is carbureted. What kind of condition should I expect the internals to be in? Will it probably need another rebuild? New gaskets? Complete haul-over? I plan on swapping the engine into my Camaro so it will be used every-day, so it will need to be relatively reliable.

Thanks for your time!

 

I had an '81 K-5 Blazer w/ 350 (basically the same body style with a few interior refinements and a square headlight grille. It would go through about anything.

The '73-74's were famous for rust rot out around the rear wheel openings.

That vintage 350 was not a powerhouse in it's stock attire. SMOG/AIR pumps killed it considerably. Although removing all of the pollution made vast improvements.

To answer your question, If it was turned over occasionaly it should be fine. I would change the oil and filter several times by letting it idle 10-15 mins. each oil change using 4 qts. oil and 1 qt. Marvel Mystery oil to flush it out. Also adding some Marvel Mystery oil to the fuel and pour some down the carb. on the second or third oil flush to clean the intake, upper cyclinders, heads, oil drains and etc.

I owned a '68 396 SS/RS Camaro that I bought from the original owner in '86 and sold in '02 and the only gaskets ever replaced were the valve cover gaskets once, just because I wanted adjust the valve lash.

 

All remnants of smog equipment were disbanded! My grandfather has a pet-peeve with smog equipment. Currently its equipped with dual-plane intake, quad-carb, no EGR, no SMOG, no AIR.....but it does have long tube headers dumping into straight pipes

 

The big question isn't the smog equipment, it's the smogger heads. Are those still on? Man, where o' where is RB at a time like this?!?

 

Ok, I did a little research and found out the engine RPO is the LS9. I'll have to wait until either Saturday or Sunday to ge the engine and head numbers. I'll be sure to post them up when I do.

I dont know if the smogger heads are still on it or not. Where would the AIR injection go anyways? The manifolds that came off it had no provisions to put such things

Also, obviously this motor doesnt have hydraulic rollers, so it would prob be flat-tappet for the circa? Having solid lifters or solid cam doesnt bother me...I have no problem setting lash every so often to keep it going.