Can I ENGINE SWAP a K5 Blazer in a Weekend for CHEAP?

Can I engine swap my Mom's 1978 Chevrolet K5 Blazer on the cheap and get the truck back on the road in time for winter? I pull the seized small block 400 out and replace it with the cheapest Chevy 350 small block crate engine you can buy on eBay! I show you how to swap an engine yourself and round things out with explanations and DIY tips along the way. Questions? Ask them in the comments below...
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[@rexkean]

Love a nice looking K5. Good son, looking after momma!

[@michaeladamo1188]

Good looking truck! Your a good son!

[@chrissmith5354]

"You can't half ass things until you know how to whole ass them" That was a good one right there.

[@isaaccan3155]

I’m not going to name names, but you quickly have become as entertaining as a few other big names car KZbinrs. Some started off slow and super budget, but I don’t begrudge their success and with that now they have money, some of their builds are so budget. I hope you can get some of that too. You deserve it because you work your butt off.

[@shonepolk9112]

His demeanor kinda reminds me of Vicegrip lol

[@timothythomas1737]

He's not scared to get his hands dirty. Lol

[@nicksavage1791]

I love the fact you can climb up in the engine compartment and have plenty of room to work. It's so stupid how new vehicles have absolutely no room to do anything under the hood.

[@J.R.in_WV]

It’s a problem that 99.0% of American car buyers and maybe 60% of voters have created. Any extra room (size) that doesn’t contribute to passenger comfort is done away with to safe weight and give better MPG. The move toward OHC and turbocharged engines the last decade or so had added to the problem, for example a Ford 5.0 Coyote OHC V8 is larger than a 460 big block in every external dimension except overall length.

[@NoNonsenseKnowHow]

Great work man! What a beautiful K5!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Thanks buddy! Mom's happy with it

[@FlyByMike94]

Just bought an ‘84 that hasn’t been registered in 20 years. Seeing you and junkyard digs get old chevys up and running is helping keep the bad thoughts out until my truck arrives Love the detail and troubleshooting you provide while still being entertaining!

[@jessicawells5145]

As hard as 400s are getting find I would be pissed,I hope it can be rebuilt with out having to refinance the house.lol

[@J.R.in_WV]

Idk why people still think it’s hard to find a 400 SBC, Dart has been casting brand new 400 blocks for years in 3 or 4 different configurations. The “factory replacement” type Dart 400 SBC block is between $2,200-2,500 depending on where you go but with machine shops charging what they do now a block that’s had bearings spun in it that needs decked and cylinders honed if not bored oversize as well can run you up to $1,200 real fast and you’ve still got a 43+ year old block. I know a few circle track guys running the dart blocks and with what they put them through and everything above considered I’d just spend the extra $1,000 and have no worries, plus everything will be standard size and the cylinder walls will be as thick as they were originally designed to be.

[@JackS425]

@@J.R.in_WV People have been saying this about 4L80s too. I swear people don't know how to use Google in its most basic capacity. Its not like a factory 400 is even a good motor to begin with.

[@gimmefuel7268]

That’s a damn nice K5!! 😮😁👍🏻👍🏻

[@stevecr8934]

JD says "well There's the sun." Yard light Good.

[@DKing-jg7fl]

If memory serves me right a 400 had a weighted flywheel and harmonic balancer as they were externally balancd. A 350 of that Era didn't as they were internally balanced. Later one piece main blocks take a different flex plate as well

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Yep

[@frankgomez1965]

I think one piece rear seal 350 are external balance?

[@DKing-jg7fl]

@@frankgomez1965 they are on the flexplate end

[@bryanomicioli3301]

The irony is that someone put a flex plate on it, did they put a 350 flex plate on it? That would’ve killed that 400 pretty quick

[@brandonsstaples919]

I was gonna offer the same info but you beat me to it.

[@ricknorris6943corvair]

So how the hell did I stumble into the Pole Barn Garage? I am a big fan of Junkyard Digs and I saw the episode where they stopped by your place. So, I decided to check you guys out and there I went down that rabbit hole! I really like what you do with your boy making memories for life with him plus teaching him valuable skills. You livin in a double wide??

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Yep, well, modular home or whatever they church it up as

[@noahhamilton9028]

@@PoleBarnGarage I've been watching since you had just barely released any vids on the holey goat, I've seen your steady climb on KZbin man and now you're even getting mentioned by "bigger names" your vids have a richness and quality that some of the others lack man. Please keep at this ! It will happen for you .

[@COOPERS_COACH_WORKS]

Nice work brother.. you make swapping engines look like it ain't no thang!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Should have been easier!

[@edwardallan197]

Yeah, I'd be sweating. He's not!

[@graydanerasmussen4071]

That's a T-shirt! "You really can't Half-ass something until you know how to Whole-ass it!" :)

[@MarkD-nd9lg]

Me after starting to watch the video 10 min into it: “a new engine and a vehicle not collapsed in on itself??? What did I miss here? Who’s channel in this…? “. I went back to the beginning and it all makes sense now. Great project! Love them Blazers! Nicely done sir!!

[@heavensmopars]

I’m glad you were able to help your dad and that it wasn’t too much of a problem for you. He sure has a nice rig.👍😃

[@markallen1413]

Oh yeah, it's nice to see the Torino, remember that video....can't wait to see more on it 👍

[@johnathonburrell9265]

Your mom has a beautiful k5 blazer you don't see them that nice anymore and nice job on putting that 350 small block in it sound sweet

[@slowshedgarage7409]

Another project completed. I'm sure mom is pleased and that does look like a nice ol Blazer. They're a hot commodity these days.

[@jeffdiehl8394]

I have to say thank you for a very accurate representation of a solo engine swap! kicking of the hoist legs made me laugh as we all do it. most don't show it. great content.

[@rogerstern2542]

Count everyday you get to work with your dad as a blessing. It doesn’t last forever. Turning wrenches on my trucks without him reminds me of all the fights and laughs we had. Good times

[@NJRangerGeorge]

Nice of you to help mom out. Your dad has a nice garage now I know where you got your skills from. Wish I had a dad and that experience growing up on working on cars.

[@WingmanJohnny]

You did fantastic. Helping the family is super cool. Keep up the great work and I will keep on watching

[@nelnova]

I had a 78 blazer ! I hated that the rear window was always foggy in the winter. Other then that what a beast !

[@PoleBarnGarage]

I think this has a defogger

[@rajcam80]

Nice ! Wish my winter beater looked like this K5 !!!! Nice rig!!!

[@stuartkarshagen6274]

Mom's got a sweet blazer. Digging the colour combo. 👌🏻

[@harvyss136]

Beautiful truck! Gotta love the plaid headliner! Had a buddy who had the exact same truck, a 78 back in 85, but his was brown. Sitting on the hood at the lakes, eating spiked water mellons.....all while listening to Iron Maiden. Those were the days!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

That headliner is a tablecloth 😂

[@invictusbp1prop143]

Sitting by the lake, warm Milwaukee’s Beast, a chubby girl, and Powerslave jamming in the warm summer air…. Good stuff.

[@jasonwakeman3821]

I had a 76 k10 and lost the trans and overheated the motor in the same day and developed a rod knock on a Friday. I had to be to work Monday or else so I pulled a motor from one truck with a cherry picker with busted wheels in the dirt. A trans from a different truck in my backyard, yanked the motor and transmission from my k10 and drove to work Monday. I had a buddy helping but it was till 2 am every night and I had the keys to the local Napa cause I worked there. 1 am Napa trip is definitely a privilege.

[@dave1135]

20:32 the bolt you put the Teflon tape on, when doing a fuel pump, you remove that bolt and thread in a longer thread bolt, that holds the pushrod up out of the way so you can put the pump in easily, no fighting the pushrod.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Not in this block! First one I've ever seen that wasn't clean through

[@imMANTA73]

in 99, in wales uk, I owner a 76 Blazer with balloon tyres 3 inch body lift. 7.5 ft wide 8.5 ft high to roof bar lights. 350ci great times. nice job buddy

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Bet that stuck out

[@twizzy5673]

man thats a beautiful K5! Love it, perfect color :)

[@wadecharles8972]

Bro, I admire you you do hard work compared to gears. Gears is fake. You’re the real deal and you know what I commend you brother

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Thanks! Who is gears lol

[@wadecharles8972]

@@PoleBarnGarage Sorry more officially known as Stacey David --> youtube.com/@OfficialStaceyDavid

[@garyprice464]

Wow you actually put a bit of love and care into something - great job

[@PoleBarnGarage]

I am known to be occasionally competent

[@markallen1413]

Dalton you did a damn good job man, that's a very sharp K5 and it should be good to go, great show as always dude 👍👍👍👍👍✅✅✅✅✅

[@terrallputnam7979]

By the way, Vice Grip Garage sells some Square Body Hood braces that bolt up and keep the big old square body hoods from bending in the middle.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Maybe he'll send some

[@Robrt32]

Reminded me of 76 ford f250 dad had we hauled wood with. It ran perfectly most of the time but every so often it would quit running and want a BJ before it would run again. He tried several things trying to fix it. All new fuel lines. Moved another tank behind the seat, electric fuel pump. Nothing worked but a BJ.

[@sodsqad8089]

Your comment you made at the end is so true but this new generation cant find there butt with both hands. I am 61 and did and still do the same repairs you do. I raised 2 kids that have our same mentality. Fix it when broke. Keep up the good work!!!!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Easy enough to do on the old stuff!

[@cyane1577]

Nice work. Also anyone would be hard pressed to find a Blazer in that good of condition, very nice.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

It was a repo about 6 months ago, didn't look like this lol

[@gizzymoto4153]

"Thanks to.. whatever company sent me that" Dude that was halarious. 😂

[@stevesmith6069]

Love the Blazer, that's when they made real autos out of REAL METAL.

[@markdavis7645]

Love the videos, love the relationship with your son... great job, dad :)

[@2koolchris291]

I always have a special place in my heart for Chevrolet. First vehicle I helped engine swap was a 99 suburban and that thing still lives. Well as soon as I replace the broken starter bolts. Apparently one snapped off. Because if bottomed out

[@blown572hemi]

Hopefully that 400 stays with the truck. Getting hard to find 400s especially in a square body.

[@tjakr3869]

You are a good kid. Good looking out for your parents.

[@firefly3333]

Highly recommend you use PTFE paste instead of tape for any fuel and oil fittings. Any strings of tape that get worked loose can find their way through the system and possibly somewhere you don’t want it. Paste will just dissolve.

[@brianbaker7686]

Another great video. Love that blazer. I had a 87 Silverado flavor Blazer back in the day. Looking forward to the next video.

[@billyduffany3387]

I think most of us older guys have done a few engines in them square bodies.They are nice to work on, plenty of room.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Just gotta get up in there lol

[@xlmi7021]

Love that yellow!

[@douglaseconomy7238]

Awesome i have a 79 k5 same color combo 56000 thousand miles nice to see a good one

[@tonyt8805]

JD is always right on time............😉 😎 😉 Great job Dalton! 🤘🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 👏🏾 🤘🏾

[@sethbradfield2483]

You and JD working on projects always makes me smile. I think it's amazing you have a kid his age interested in working on old outdated vehicles. It reminds me of being a kid working on stuff with me dad. 5 out of 5 stars

[@ctwolfgang433]

I watch all of those you tubers you mentioned. That's great company and you deserve to be in that group.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Happy to have them as friends

[@blevins6584mopar]

I was resently diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia 😔 I don't want you to feel sorry for me . I would like to see the Rolled Runner finished before I die ‼️ Love ya bro .

[@PoleBarnGarage]

I'm sorry man. You'll see it! Whereabouts are you located? Feel free to shoot me an email

[@pdrphil8159]

I had a 86 K Blazer . It came with a 350 . The guy who ordered it loaded it with A.C. , power windows, crusie, tilt , carpet & a few other options . But opted for a 5 speed manual , 4x4. Which was to my liking. He bought it & then rarely drove . His wife said he would've never sold it while he was alive , but it sat for 5 yrs without even being started... She would call me when she needed help with things around the house . I would'nt take money , ever . One day when I was replacing a heating element in her water heater (in the garage) I asked her about the Blazer... I told her if she ever sold it , pls give me 1st chance. In 1997 , I had just taken delivery on a new Tahoe 4x4 I ordered , & it was loaded up nicely. A wk later she called me & said she wanted to sell it. I went over & she said , "just give me what you think its worth". I wrote her a cheque on the spot .. It had 42000 mi on it & not a spec of rust. Pumped up the tires , jumped it & it started immediately.. I kept my new Tahoe in the garage right beside my 86 . I sold it in 2006 for a hefty profit . If I had it today , I think I could've sold it for double . One of my all time fav Chevy's.

[@dynomitegliatti7811]

hell yeah go to the junkyard in the morning get a motor have it running by evening ..like the blazer very cool sounds great

[@michiganporter]

Man your churching it up big time bud! Hats off to ya!

[@jacobuscoetzee3058]

Nice looking Blazer

[@m1a1hm]

Outstanding work!! Dude. the truck sounds good!!

[@paul96zj]

My dad had a white on black 79 with a 400 growing up I loved that truck!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

They're great!

[@denniscoughlin7437]

Great video as always. What a nice truck.

[@TheSnapdad]

That color combination is epic on that era Blazer. Chevy rally rims are the chef's kiss

[@scotthay1486]

Man, you got a lot of great comments for this upload which I agree with so I'm just going to say, "great effort and good entertainment".. Thanks. '

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Thanks!

[@michaeljennings7146]

Not many people that will take care of their folks like that these days. Very nice truck.

[@craigroberts3982]

Had a 79 Blazer years ago and I did just as you suggested... Sold it to the next sucker lol.

[@someonewhocares5712]

Reminds me of my moms old blazer had to put a clutch in it thanks for sharing 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@lancemclean9273]

Weekends- sometimes I wonder what we’d do with them if we didn’t have vehicles . Mine was called Subaru this week

[@spamanator666]

Dang, looks to be a super clean rig. I suppose by now they know how crazy the values on these have gone. As you know too, the classic market has gone insane. Also, crazy as it sounds, keep that numbers matching 400, people care about that stuff even on old trucks now.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

It's a driver, not an investment. Wish I'd had a 350 to send back as a core but oh well.

[@NaruSanavai]

@@PoleBarnGarage I wish more people shared that sentiment, these days. The super-rare stuff? Sure, that's an investment. But, a run-of-the-mill, not-even-top-trim car or truck - drive it. Maybe not every day, but get it out there, let 'er eat; it's what these things were built to do.

[@pcbullets8726]

Nice job Dalton! That K5 is pretty sweet!

[@PaganWizard]

WOW!!!! This truck is in AMAZING condition. Back in the mid 80's I had a 79 K5 that a friend of mine and I dropped a 454 into after I blew up the 400. We pulled the entire front clip off the truck to do the swap, because it was too tall to do the engine swap without removing it. If I had to do that again today, and LS would be going in, along with an EFI in place of a carb. It was pretty stacked up too, it had a 6 inch lift and 38 inch tires. That was 1 of only 2 cars I have owned over the years that could laugh at Old Man Winter, the other was a 98 Durango. At the end of this video, you mentioned some other fantastic KZbinrs, I was just curious if you have ever watched Puddin's Fab Shop??? As always, another GREAT video!!!

[@jeremyswanson2708]

Man that's a nice K5 ! Finding one that nice in Missouri isn't easy.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

It didn't start this way

[@the0jerk1]

That Blazer is awesome, nice work and vid. Thanks!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Thanks for watching, and being a member!

[@blodhemn413]

Awesome job. Nice truck.

[@scotthogan6891]

Are people who do not know how to do what you do when you sure do appreciate your talking mess through it thank you and thank you for your show

[@bernhard8540]

Ya tip for next time you need to remove the handle from a snap on screwdriver, the shank can pull out just put it in a vise and stick a prybar between the shank and the handle and the handle pops right off, that's how they replace them if they break off ❤

[@UnfinishedProjectDartSport]

Blazer, like a Bronco but for Men.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

Fact

[@2koolchris291]

Yeah. Blazers are cool. The two broncos I have are rotten plow trucks now. The Chevy has more mileage and still road worthy. Same weather conditions

[@jesseduke694]

You guys are a riot. I hope u sleep well at night. U know, not being on earth & all. Lol

[@isaaccan3155]

And apparently bad ass moms.

[@Cultofpersonality09129]

How many Broncos do you have?

[@lietus4192]

Godamn , that blazzer looks great!

[@SurviventheOnslaught]

i always wanted to see it done by a regular guy..........thanks

[@PoleBarnGarage]

You bet

[@Shanetheplumber]

Can't half ass things until you learn to whole ass things, wisdom for the day young guys

[@zachandoom]

Late to the video, but I did this about a year ago now on my 86 k2500. I picked up a 350 that sat for 10 years. Dumped oil in the top end. Spun it over fired up like it never sat. I was pretty impressed for an engine that sat so long. Still running strong.

[@CPthetooladdict]

That blazer is so nice their ain't many left that cool left.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

They're still out there

[@CPthetooladdict]

@@PoleBarnGarage the further north you live they are piles of rust lol

[@DScaglione.]

“… Well, there’s the Sun …” - says the Son 😂 Momma has a good Son! Nice job Sir! God Bless 😎

[@inmyopinion6836]

This is the FIRST recognizable engine manipulation I've seen in a long while. THANKS ! ! ! And, humor with intelligence, a good combo.

[@scrocrates6380]

There is no humor without intelligence.

[@inmyopinion6836]

@@scrocrates6380 Being from the South myself, it is always refreshing to hear another Southerner as articulate and clever as Darwin, representing for us.

[@scrocrates6380]

@@inmyopinion6836 I've never been accused of being articulate, but I write better than I speak. Perhaps it's the audience. How did you know I was from the South?

[@inmyopinion6836]

@@scrocrates6380 Actually, I was talking about the host of this show, I think his name is Darwin. I could be wrong.

[@jamesmcdonald5868]

Huge shout out to "No Nonsense Know How " for you wearing the Fury shirt!

[@RattleTrapGarage]

Nice blazer

[@thegrumpytexan]

Oh man does this bring back memories! 30+ years ago I had a '78 Jimmy (same as the Blazer) and did exactly this. Stopped at the dealership, picked up a crate engine (that I had saved up for) and swapped it in over a weekend with a buddy's help. Even climbing into the engine compartment just the same.

[@seanfritz1355]

That's one hell of a winter beater. I would get her something that's more disposable. That truck has earned a life of not salt and snow use.

[@PoleBarnGarage]

It didn't exactly show up this way. Cheapest truck to bodywork in the world, use it like it's intended

[@bradh7472]

Man after I watched my first video I'm hooked! I love watching how you work and that you try and make everything as reasonable in cost as you can. I watched Junkyard Digs and Vice Grip Garage, I have to say I enjoy yours as equal if not more than some of them. Junkyard turned me on to you so I have to say they do a killer job on fixing junk! LOL

[@alanmcgarvey9308]

Nice looking Blazer . Well worth the effort to keep on the road .Nice thing to do for mom .

[@stephenmr2]

You are a very good son!!!!! you did a good job for your Mum !!!

[@iamthetarget52]

Comment 1 I recommend Milk of Magnesia on exhaust and header bolts. It's a trick from the Air Force jet engine mechanics. Better than any anti-seize I've ever tried. I used on big block Olds. And I hate giving the Chair Force credit for anything.

[@mikebrown8065]

Great job man!! For myself unfortunately before I had to have the lead removed from my right foot 🙃, I got it down to a science swapping engines down to 5 hours, rolmao. Once the junkyard closed up, it was time for surgery 😆😎 At least the square body has more room to work on it than the Camaro, Nova and Chevelle.

[@marlboromount]

smoker here too. we got to stand together brother. love the line "im out of smokes."

[@dadgarage7966]

Great vid! Can't wait for Part 2!

[@grizzsgarage8360]

A real good and informal and helpful video.also help out mom.

[@keithharden7844]

Damn, I guess I owe you some money, I was making fittings like that in the seventies. I didn’t know about your patent. 😅

[@PoleBarnGarage]

You stole it before I was even born, bastard!

[@keithharden7844]

@@PoleBarnGarage 😂

[@jimstaszko1675]

Great video. Very nicely done.

[@iamthetarget52]

Comment 2 Power Braking to set timing seems to work as well. Just watch for the max engine rock and that's max torque.

[@mikehammer6909]

I had a 77 same as that we called it the school bus and it never let me sit ten years I owned it had a 300hp 350 and absolutely loved hearing that quad balling when the secondary’s opened up and was awesome 4 wheeling. Working on it was a dream compared to this day and age !

[@andyb9072]

Nice blazer. I had a gray 78 k5 pushed it in the shop and pulled a pickup nose to nose and did an engine swap on it in less then 8 hrs

[@phillipdaigle4850]

Here is a trick I learned when I was working at a Restoration Shop. Before you loosen the Bolts off of the Hood Hinge Take a Paint stick and Draw a line around the Hood, and the Hinge. That way the Hood goes Back in the same Place with no Ajustment. Hope it Helps. Phillip the Blind Cajun.

[@crbourret]

My first car when I was 16 was a used 1978 Blazer, made a lot of memories with friends in that thing!

[@PoleBarnGarage]

The best kind