Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

nice update! thought we might have lost ya! lol. looks like you might just catch the last cruise of the season?

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Well i live in the middle of po-dunk nowhere(but i love it), so we dont have many cruises. But it will be done by july 19th for 'cruise nite' here in kearney. Ill have a ton of updates within the next 2 weeks. Like i said were gettin parts in but tuesday/wednesday should bring the motor being set in, depending on when we do some things. I have to get the intake on, exhaust mani studs out and its ready to go for the most part.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...l/firewall.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27.../firewall2.jpg
Finally got the firewall painted, i screwed up the sealer(long sag line) so i wetsanded that out and sprayed black. Nothing is ever as simple as it should be....
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...takepaint1.jpg
also got my intake sprayed black....
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...torincrate.jpg
ooh purdy motor
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y274/lrall/motor.jpg
and trans!!
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...l/testfit1.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...l/testfit3.jpg
yes i know it sits low...thats ok though, better handling...right?
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...nclearance.jpg
steering column might be tight...but this is the first time the motor went in, i since pulled it out and we had to weld nuts into the frame for out mounts to bolt into. I then decided that things were going way too smoothly so i spaced the nuts in the wrong spot(you would think drilling out holes wouldnt allow you to get off that far) and consequently had to 'honk out' the bracket to make it all fit. So anyway, got the motor in, all mounted up and tight. Offset 1-1/4" to the passenger side for steering column clearance. I will take more pics monday but i HOPE there is more clearance with the new mounting adjustment. Also i should have the trans crossmember done by monday. Then i get to get the POS exhaust studs out of the manifolds...oh joy.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...clearance3.jpg
more clearance would have been nice..... its not quite that close now though

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Coming along nicely!

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

dude, been away for a few weeks,looks like you have been kicking some A'! looks like you will have everything mounted by now? gonna be sweet.:metal:

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Looks great Lrall. Keep us posted on how progress is coming along.

Bernie

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

long weekend here, any new pic's or updates?

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture033.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture034.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture041.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture044.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture058.jpg

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture055.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture056.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...Picture057.jpg

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Ok, so the updates: I got the motor in, this took awhile as we had to flip the mounts around and blah blah blah. Then i build the tranny crossmember, ill have to get pics up of that. I am SUPER proud of it, as it was done 100% by me. Ill post up pics and explanation if i dont forget. Then we noticed the motor was hitting on the control arm, so we modified that aka grinder. then realized that we should have just raised the motor up in the brackets that mount to the frame. I think i needed more clearance anyway( or so i tell myself to justify the grinding :)) I also got the intake on and sealed up, followed by high temp black'd exhaust mani's with OEM thick washers. Then i got the TBI base gasket and throttle body on. Oh, the front bracketry as anyone may or may not notice is GM....i got that all on after a TON of trial and error. I ended up needing to get a smaller pulley for the PS pump, 5 1/4 inch is what it ended up being i think. then i got the belt fitted on there, after more trial and error.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

I also got both dipsticks in and bolted down, then installed the Painless wiring harness....simple as pie. Of course this was after i installed a bunch of sensors and sendors, which some may have to be changed out for the gauges we got...which i should post pics of too. Also, we got the Lokar eliminator gas pedal assembly in today, instal should be soon.....We also ordered the 16" floor mount shifter, does anyone have experience with these? I have heard some not so good things about floor mount vs trans mount ones.....Then i got the interior sprayed black, which cleans it up a ton. Then i got the fuel lines figured out, stock lines to o-ringed fittings to fuel filter and yada yada. Then we will have to modify the sending unit in the tank as the gauge sending unit is different than the s10 one and we need to lengthen it...Custom right? Also, i got the steering column mocked up and our !@$!$!$!#%^&^&$ DD shaft that was too short has now been replaced by the 3 foot DD shaft i ordered off Ebay. Ill have to show you guys the sweet column mount im gonna do :) I htink thats all for awhile....props to my autos teacher for all the help, it will be staying up at the HS till she runs and drives outta there!!

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

thanks for the updates! looks like the "maiden voyage' is getting closer every day. minor mistakes we all make and it looks like nothing is going to keep the truck off the road. make sure you do a video of the trucks engine firing for the first time and moving under its own power.;)

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Do you know what is the latest year S10 that could be used for this swap? I plan on buying a 49 and just rat rodding it and laying frame with airbags but still I want a newer drivetrain.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

any year s10 will work, reg cab long box is the BEST although ive seen other models used(wouldnt suggest that). Newer is better with the model years. I should say this now....this is far from the bolt on BS they tell you....:)

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

how "bolt on" would you rate the kit you purchased and what were some of the pro's and cons so far? don't worry about being long winded on your opinions let us know.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Looking great! Glad to see the updates. Man how i wish I could work on mine instead of traveling so much.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

I'm not 100% done yet so i cant say how bolt on the bed and running boards are but from the cab and front clip mounting i can say it would be a 6 or 7 out of 10. It makes the process easier in some respects but harder in others. The cab would go on like a champ but the frame rails have a step in them which makes leveling the mounts a *****. I spent close to 4 days just getting the mounts level and square and how i wanted them.
Then the front clip...It works well but i dont know if it was just my frame or all s10s are like this. The passenger side frame rail curves down at a different time than the driver side, so i have to take a piece of angle iron and grind it to fit the curve so i had a flat spot to mount to. I really wish i could have mocked all this up before paint, as i could have addressed problems like this better. The bed will probably require some modifying also. Dont take this the wrong way, the kit has been a HUGE HUGE HUGE help. It is a top quality kit, but here is where i nitpick some more. The cab is mounted rediculously high.
I believe this is for 2 reasons. 1. The tranny has little clearance as my motor sits now, it is such that the motor is as far forward to give clearance for the hump but enough room for the radiator and accessories. 2. The s10 frame curves up and consequently so does the box....In hindsight i wish i could have cut the cab mounts down about 3 or 4 inches and just lost the box height. Live and learn though right? I want it to go much faster but i LOVE fabbin' stuff. It took me a week to make the tranny crossmember but i did it, it looks top notch and im proud of it. Updates to come today hopefully
lr

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

lol bro read my thread its all in there, but ill answer all of the questions anyway

and btw....unless you half ass it or do a real hotrod style build you wont get it back together in less than a year

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

any updates?

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Do you have any updates on your column drop?
Thanks and keep up the progress.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

you confused me here. Why do you think the cab is mounted too high if there's just the right clearance trans-to-hump? Looking at the pictures with the motor mounted in the truck, it does look like the cab could use to be at least 6" lower, but I guess that would mean reworking the dog-house? And maybe even some channeling would be needed?
And, thanks for all the great pics and how-to's.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Sorry for the slow updates, i have had baseball every night for the past 2 months and work during the day, but work will resume very soon. As for the quoted reply the clearance is right but it needs to be reworked for the cab to sit lower. This is coming from a static drop/suspension point of view, if you are baggin, which i want to do and highly suggest then forget any part of it. So basically....the cab is REALLY high but has to be that way so you dont have to rework the cab floor.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

column drop meaning how im mounting it? I forget how long the column is but we are mounting it at the top part of the hole in the floor and using DD joints....btw order excess DD shaft.........we didnt, whoops. Ill let you know when i get it mounted, it should look pretty trick.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

good to see a post from you! taking a break just give a guy time to come up with more ideas.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Wow, so its been way too long since ive worked on this but im moving it out of the highschool finally and getting it into my garage to work on it more. Friday is 'move in' day, so updates should start coming more regularly. I will have updates on the finished fuel lines/system, steering column and linkage, lowering springs, brakes and hopefully some engine stuff too

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

wow, i just read your entire build and really enjoyed it. I'm about to start my S10 swap on a 51. The only thing that scares me is the S10 swap kit (the measuring issues you brought up). My other question is about engine mounts. did you use S10 V8 engine mounts? Did you mount them where they would go if going in a S10 or did you move them? i've been reading stories about issues with the distance between the engine and the firewall. I'm a complete novice to a build this big but i'm determined and willing to learn! I'm anxious to see more updates on your build! nice work so far!

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

If i were to do it again i would make the mounts myself. Its stupid simple. Basically make a box cut diagonally in half then bolt it or weld it to the frame as you choose. You have looked through my thread so know what they look like. As i said, if i were to do it again i would lower the body down a couple inches and just make a trans tunnel and driveshaft hump if i had to. Ill update you with the lowering springs to see where that gets me because if it lowers it enough to look alright there is no need to cut the cab up. We wont be doing anything but static suspension this time around but i think when these trucks lay running boards is cool as ****. And yes i did use s10 v8 mounts, PM me with questions on that, dont wanna make forum bosses mad :)

UPDATE:
didnt get to move the truck friday because my teacher got busy with a wedding, but the garage is all cleaned up ready to go. I will update with a gang of pictures when she gets 'home'.
lr

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

hey good to hear from ya! your build is one of the best s-10 swaps i have read. just waiting for that u-tube video of that maiden voyage/BURNOUT!

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y27...etruckdrop.jpg
:) got the truck all moved into the garage, its pretty cozy but it works. Working on a compressor, just a little guy but the napa man said it will spray and we can use it for sanding too so it should do the job. Thats how low i wish the truck was....lowering springs to come this weekend i HOPE. will take more pics with my camera tomorow

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Hey all, sorry for not updating lately, school has been crazy along with everything else. My grandpa goes in for surgery tomorrow to get a tumor removed. Prayers are welcome :)
Truck updates:
3" drop springs in-lining up the tail in the correct spot always helps
UCA are rubbing on the exhaust mani's with the drop springs so were going to have to buy tubular uppers and have the bushings re-pressed(i think you can do that, maybe not) along with the ball joints. My grandpa purchased an air compressor. Its a craftsman 25 gal, runs like hell but keeps up with the sander pretty decent. I also bought a devilbiss kit; 2 guns, 2 cups, cleaning kit and 1.3 1.5 1.8 tips and needles. I undercoated the driver fender and have started filling it and should be done by this weekend ish. I'm also helping my brother body work his 99 cougar. So consequently i have quite a bit of body working going on. I will post up pics of the steering column dilemma i have run into. Not having access to a welder SUCKS....pics should be up tonight if i get my paper done!!
lr

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

did you say you where guna paint with a lil compresser? i wouldnt. 1 a small one will never be able to keep up with the ampunt of air u need to paint. 2 when it runs low you get spater and u dont want that. 3 most small comp. dont has water seperation. 4 a small tank will suck in over spray and push it back out through the gun and make the paint look bad. plus it will get inside the comp and can make it run harder and hotter and even break it.

if you are going to paint with it i would rec that u use low pressure gun, put the comp outside away from where u are painting. mix all yur paint at once but spray each section one at a time. this will keep u from trying to push your self and running short of air. sweep up real good and wet everything down and sweep again. keep the ground and whatever you can wet while you paint in your area to keep dust from flying around and getting everywhere. good luck with the build and paint.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

good to see you back! prayer going out for your gramps. i'm getting ready to head to the hospital as my sons wife is getting ready to have my first grandchild today. damm did i just write grandchild!:eek:

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Yes i did say small compressor, and not to be rude but yes it will work. I have talked to multiple people and read numerous articles about spraying with a 'small' compressor. I compared the CFM ratings of my gun(s) with the compressor and it will be fine. If i start to run out of air ill wait 30 seconds and ill have my air pressure back.
As for the water separators i have one inline one that works well for my air sander and will buy another to mount right on the tank, then have the 'orange ball' paint gun filters. So moisture will not be a problem.
About the overspray getting sucked into the compressor, it wont be in my booth so that is a non-issue. I dont know why one would even do that, i have a 50 foot air hose that i will run under the plastic in my booth. Additionally i have a filter on my compressor.
I bought an HVLP from devilbiss so i know the gun will work. I dont know if you read or even if i said it but i will be priming at the home garage and doing the final coat at a body shop. I can rent it from the guy as i know him and went to HS with his son.
I have painted everything you see in the pictures but the frame so i know what it takes to prep a paint booth for paint.
Again, not trying to be rude and thanks for the tips but ive got it covered :)

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

Good news, My grandpa is out of surgery and everything went well!! Good luck to you and yours.

I am now lookin at 'hot rod flatz' colors, pretty sweet looking i think. Post up if you have pics!!

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

good to hear about your g-paw. and i wasnt tryin to rude. sorry if it cam off that way. good luck with the paint and the build. cant wait to see it all together.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

glad to hear your grandpa's surgery went well.

Re: my 48 s10 swap
 

glad your gramps os ok! my sons wife had a baby girl 7# 14oz. 19" got to see her last night. guess being labeled "grandpa" ain't so bad:four: