Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

It's been awhile since I've read through the whole bread and I tried skimming through it but couldn't find the answer to my question in the 77 pages. Using the plates like Glocks did will I have to change my oil pan or will the factory truck pan fit?

I really like how with the plates he made Glock was able to keep the factory low mount a/c, reuse his original driveshaft and shifter linkage, and keep the original clutch fan in the 73-87 shroud. All of that really helps my build budget. But one thing I hadn't considered until I picked up my 5.3 a couple days ago was the oil pan clearance. Does anybody know if it will fit?

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Benscool1

No the factory pan will work just fine. Look at how I did mine. Puts the engine nice and far back where you want it. The original belhousing position. Most other plates set the engine forward 3/4" to 1".

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEGeq1ytH_V/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEGeHqmNH-J/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BDyNlRMNH6w/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BC-uJz8tHxO/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BC-tmVFNHwQ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BC-tS-0NH_r/

https://www.instagram.com/p/BFxpO4ut...olfandwildfire

To keep the original bellhousing location:
With the Dougs Headers SK100 mounts, you have to move the motor mount saddles that go from the frame to the crossmember back 3/4". You just have to drill 3 additional holes per side 3/4" back from originals.

To keep the original vortec truck ac compressor:
You have to move the motor mounts back 2 1/4" back the engine and frame. I found it easiest to flip the mounting plates and redrill the tapped holes to a new location. One factory clamshell bolt hole lines up with one LS bolt hole. The motor mount saddles were then widened the same 2 1/4" that the motor mounts were moved on the engine. All this does is move the motor mounts back on the engine. This don't change the engine location in the engine bay if you move the mounts and widen the motor mount saddles the same amount.

What I did - Kept the factory bellhousing position while using the factory LS truck AC system. This was done by moving motor mounts on engine back 2 1/4" on both sides. Then I removed and widened my motor mount frame to crossmember saddles 2 1/4" using a donor sent and welding them together. I also redrilled my frame and crossmember and moved the new widened saddles back 3/4" from the original position using the factory holes as a guide. This puts the engine in the origianl bellhousing location and as far back as you would ever want to go unless you want to start messing with the firewall. I used patriot 73-87 swap headers and they fit perfectly. I did a slight change to my shift linkage to make it easier to run my exhaust.

I am going to use the cold hose adapters to avoid having the notch the frame out for the factory ac lines.

Hope this helps.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Thanks Jaybob, I appreciate it. Looks like you achieved the same end result Glock did, just went about it a little differently. Awesome work!

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Interesting tidbit:

The bellhousing extenion on an Gen 3 and Gen 4 LS motor (4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2, 7.0) is shorter than a GEN 1 and Gen 2 SBC (262, 265, 267, 283, 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, 400). There is approximately a ~7/16 difference between bellhousig extension and crank flange between the LS and SBC. The LS is shorter, the SBC is longer. Also the position of the cylinders relative to the bellhousing is different. The cylinders in an LS block are also approximately ~7/16" closer to the bellhousing. This means the cylinders are actually ~3/4" close the transmission in an LS motor than an SBC. So even with a longer water pump on the from, they still have similar or better radiator clearance.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

You've done your homework my friend! Lol

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

The way you've done it, is the motor as far back as it'll go without firewall interference?

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Yes, you couldn't go back another 1/2"!

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

I'm running an f-body pan and I'm wondering if I could go back even farther by dropping the engine down a bit. How far is the bottom of your truck pan from the crossmember?

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

I hope most of you realize that glock..... has not been on the board for many years, and last I heard I don't think he has this truck anymore.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Trucks been sold for a long time.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

That's ok, we can pick up where he left off :)

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

I don't think very much. The firewall is pretty flat fight there. The passenger side cylinder head will hit the fire wall. My truck pan probably hangs an inch below the crossmember. You will have to dent the firewall to go back further I think.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred"
 

I know this is an old post and this is likely a stupid question but I recently bought this same tool off Amazon, I haven't used it yet, but how does it work? I mean when you lift up on it with a breaker bar or the like, don't you have to get to the door hing bolts to tighten them up? How do you get to them when doing this without having a fender off?

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

I bought this tool after Bob posted about it many moons ago. You don’t have to loosen the hinge bolts. You literally are ‘tweeking’ the existing hinge arrangement.

Re: Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info
 

Thanks for that quick response. I now have a '84 burb. I'll try it on one of the doors.