1976 Blazer Trailering Special w/ 400sbc?

[RustySS]

I am considering purchasing a 1976 Chevrolet Blazer in mostly original condition however, I am having some difficulty with verifying/confirming what exactly this particular truck came from the factory equipped with in regards to the engine. It does in fact have the Z82 "Trailering Special" package. According to the VIN#. the engine code is U (Canadian Truck) which tells me that it is a 400 cubic inch (6.6L). I have never seen a truck with the Z82 package equipped with the 400. The casting number on the engine confirms that it is a 400 as well, but I'm still not convinced as it appears to have been changed at some point in the past. Does anyone have any information on this?

Thank you in advance

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I just looked up the engine options for that year, and according to what I saw you could, in fact, get a 400 SBC. Go to any site that sells parts and type in the vehicle info, and/or look up the brochure for that year and check out the engine options. If you're trying to find whether or not it's numbers matching, you'd have to see if the numerals at the end of the VIN match the engine identification number at the back of the block right next to where the trans mounts.

 

[skysurfer]

The Z82/400 combo was available for that year in the K models only. The 2wd versions only offered the 250ci 6 or the 350.

350: 165hp @ 3800rpm, 255tq @ 2800rpm
400: 175hp @ 3600rpm, 290tq @ 2800rpm

 

[RustySS]

Excellent! Thank you very much.

I just wanted to do some homework on this truck because it appears to have every option that GM offered that year.

This is a K model. It is a Fulltime 4WD with the NP203 Transfer Case. I'm told it has a TH350 which I believe to be correct however, does the Z82 Package utilize the TH350 as the only Automatic for towing purposes? Silly question I know, but I have always been curious if a TH400 was ever used? (I've never seen one as a factory option in a Blazer/Jimmy due to the short wheelbase)

This truck is about a 4 hour drive from me so that is why I have not seen it with my own eyes yet.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

It sounds like a cool rig. If it was taken care of, I'd jump on it for the right price.

 

[skysurfer]

I'm told it has a TH350 which I believe to be correct however, does the Z82 Package utilize the TH350 as the only Automatic for towing purposes? Silly question I know, but I have always been curious if a TH400 was ever used?

The only transmission option code for the 400ci that year was M40 so unless it has been swapped out it's a TH400. Check the pan to verify.

 

[RustySS]

The only transmission option code for the 400ci that year was M40 so unless it has been swapped out it's a TH400. Check the pan to verify.

@skysurfer - Was that for a Blazer or a Pickup? I have owned a pickup that had a factory 400, TH350, NP203. Could you please post a link that I can check into that?

I'm not doubting your information, I just want to be 100% sure that I know what I'm buying before I hook up the trailer and put on the miles

Thank you for your reply

 

[skysurfer]

That info is specific to the '76 Blazer. PM sent so you can double check.

 

[Rusty Nail]

My '75 is an original 400/400 truck with equipped "trailering special" = 1Z82.
H.D. FRT/RR SHOC = IF51
ILF4 = V-8 ENGINE - 400 C.I.
IM40 = TURBO HYDRAMATIC TR


Buy it. It'll have "heavy duty front suspension" = IF60.

Why didn't you buy it already?

 

[bucket]

I had a '77 K5 that was a 400/th350 truck. I also know of a local '79 K10 Burb that is an original 400/th350 truck. So either the Z82 option got you a th400, or '76 was the last year of the K series 1/2 tons with a th400.

 

[RustySS]

To my surprise, it appears that this particular Blazer has the factory 400/TH400 with the Z82 package. It certainly paid off doing a bit of investigation beforehand. Mid 1977 appears to be the last run of the TH400 behind a small block in a 1500 series truck with the exception of having the "Trailering Special" Z82 package, however I could be wrong without some more in-depth research.

@Rusty Nail - Believe me, I've been wanting to buy this truck for a while now, but the price was reflecting an "original condition" assessment from the current owner. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't paying top dollar for a good ol can of Snake Oil.

@skysurfer - Thank you for sending me that info link. It was very helpful and I'm greatful to have learned something new

 

[Keith Seymore]

My '75 is an original 400/400 truck with equipped "trailering special" = 1Z82.
H.D. FRT/RR SHOC = IF51
ILF4 = V-8 ENGINE - 400 C.I.
IM40 = TURBO HYDRAMATIC TR


Buy it. It'll have "heavy duty front suspension" = IF60.

Why didn't you buy it already?

The "1" or the "I" is a dummy character/placeholder and can be disregarded.

The RPOs are the three place alphanumerics (ie, Z82, F51, LF4, M40 etc)

K

 

[Rusty Nail]

Lol. I'm readin it off my RPO/ SPID sticker in the glove box, added for authenticity!
That's what it says...

Good lookin out? I like this thread.

 

[RustySS]

Going against my better judgment and car buying policies, I finally decided to buy this truck... without seeing it. I managed to use some good bargaining points that I have learned about the truck from this site and all your posts. Now I just need to tell the wife

Which 400 block is more sought after? The 1511 or 1509 block? Not like it really matters at this point. I have always wanted to have a really nice running 400

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Well, it depends on how many freeze plugs you like. The 09 has two and the 11 has three. In this case, it has nothing to do with 2 bolt main versus 4 bolt main like in some of the identification numbers.