Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

4x4 extended cab two piece shaft

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Engine install day!!
Everything went about as expected. I will still need to pulll the motor and trans again to finish welding the motor mount brackets to the frame. Also after looking over everything one more time, I think a new oil pan gasket and trans pan gasket would be a good idea when the motor is out.

Ran into a few problems though...Power steering pump and bracket will not fit. Thought about trying to make a new bracket, but I may look for a different ps pump and bracket. Maybe something from a car would be smaller? Mine is from a 68 1/2 ton truck. It's too wide, it hits the s10 steering box/rag joint.

Clearance trouble on the right side exhaust manifold. I'll either need the "swept back" style manifold for that side or go with the s10/V8 headers.

I did need to cut out for a tranny hump in the floor, but it will be small, 2-3 inches tall.

Ran out of time and didn't get the trans cross member done...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I also got a couple of cool parts.

Some really nice anodized aluminum valve covers and an Olds/Caddilac air cleaner.

The best part is the price...FREE!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

looking good, try a pump from a 73-87 chevy truck. guarantee that will fit. Love the air cleaner.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looking good Atommik, Love the Air cleaner!

I wound up going with the S10 v8 headers on my project. Have you connected the steering column and shaft to check steering shaft clearance on that Dvr side manifold?

I tried several different manifold combos... nothing worked as well as the headers did. $50 on Craigslist, well spent

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

If my research is correct, I think the main problem with the ps steering pump is it's low location. My 327 has the "camel back" heads so that moves the alternater to the driver's side (the mount bracket bolts thru the water pump mounts) up high and the ps pump is very low (the bracket mounts next to the crank pulley). I am planning on getting (or making) a different power steering bracket to mount where the alt is, and move the alt to the passenger side.

As far as the exhaust manifolds go, my boss has manifolds from an LT1 caprice motor that are the "swept back" style and exit along the firewall. He's going to pull them off for me and bring them in. I think they will bolt right up. I've seen a couple sets of s10/v8 headers on craigslist here, $100. We'll see...

My steering shaft is temporary but looks like will clear, just barely. It might be different with the LT1 manifolds though.

What did you use for a trans crossmember? I think I can modify the s10 part.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

ok, your heads explain why the PWS isn't clearing. Yeah a custom bracket sounds like a good thing to do. s-10 headers I'm using as well, you could get some u joints and kick the bottom shaft out a little, tons of picks on people doing that. But hopefully those manifolds bolt up and work out for you. As for the xmember, I made a new one, but I'm sure you could use the s-10 one and mod it. Been a while so I don't know why I didn't go that route. May have been a reason.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

What size front wheel spacers are ya'll going to be using?

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Atommik, looking good. I also like the air cleaner. I used the S10 headers on the 54 and on the 48 it has a 5.3 and they were S10 swap headers. The steering can be a pain.

Shannon

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

gregw98,
I'll be using 2" spacers front and rear.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

With my S10 build and the LT1/4L60 I used a mid 90ish buick roadmaster driveshaft it fit perfect no modifications.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

never heard of that one amazing how this stuff pans out. I'm sure there are quiet a few others out there that would work too.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looks great Tom, I see now how you did your rad support, I'm working on my rear leaf conversion kit now and once thats done I can move back to the front .:canada:

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Well I found out the LT1 manifolds will not work. The front and rear bolts do not line up with the holes on the 327. I could have re-drilled the front hole, but not the rear. Also it looks like the passenger side would have been up against the starter. I guess I'll be checking craig's list for some headers!!

On a happier note...I got my trans crossmember built today. I decided it would be just as easy to build one than to modify the S10 part. I welded angle brackets to the frame, then built the cross member to bolt to the brackets. Much easier to get the tranny out or motor and tranny together if I can drop the crossmember out the bottom. When I pull the motor and trans to finish welding the motor mounts, I'll paint the crossmember.

Here's a few pics...(In the pic with the bracket on the frame, it's just tack welded in this pic, I welded it up after.)

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

nice xmember, def nice to make a dropable one.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Nice job....Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

The guys at KMJ performance sells a set of raw headers that might work for you. They are right at 100 bucks/free shipping on ebay, the passenger side fits perfect but, the drivers side will need redone for clearance and with your talents it would be a piece of cake. For the money they are some nice headers (88-95 chevy truck) 3/8 thick flange with 3" collectors. Here's a picture from Killbillet of the finished piece from another thread.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Thanks for the info, I'll look into that.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Finished welding in the motor mounts this morning, and while the engine was out, I replaced the oil pan gasket. I also did a quick clean up and paint of the pan too.

Also found the remains of a mouse home up around the flywheel.

I installed the first new part on the body(not counting sheet metal patches), Hood to cowl seal.

Trans cross member is now painted and motor/trans reinstalled for hopefully the last time.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I was a little disapointed that the motor and trans install only lowered the frame about 3/4 of an inch. My s10 frame was originally a 4.3 liter truck so I guess the springs were set up to hold the weight. My 327 must not weigh much more than the original motor tran set-up. Unless the added weight of engine accessories and front sheet metal lower it another inch or more, it looks like I'll need some drop spindles!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

looking good, yeah a v8 wouldn't weigh much more than a 4.3 and and inline 6 with bell housing was a tank. a 2/3" drop spindles or springs even, would really make this look proper IMO.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Well, today I put the order in for all of the steel I will need to build my box from scratch. I'll be using the original fenders, but everything else I will fabricate. It will have the basic stock look, with a few custom touches. Thanks xpickup for the inspiration. The materials will be ready to pick up in one week!! I'm really looking forward to this next phase of the build!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Atommik, No problem. Glad to help.

Shannon

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Spent a good deal of time today trying to figure out the PS pump mount. The pump would hit on the ps gear of the s10- frame. I tried several different positions and even considered trying to figure out a remote electric pump, but was finally able to get it to work. I moved the pump up slightly and in closer to the crank pulleys and was able to make it fit. I still need to make one supporting bracket off the back side and have a new high pressure line made. I'll also need a new ps belt about 4 inches shorter than the original.

Just to have a little extra clearance, could I remove the "rag joint" form the end of the steering gear and just put a swivel joint in there? That would give me an extra 1/2 clearance.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I am going to be using a 1997 Buick Park Avenue Power Steering Pump. Much smaller and you can mount it high on the engine. I was using one like it on my P/S Vega. I'll try to post a pic later,


http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...ring_pump.html

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

i put a manual steering box on my truck to solve this problem. it steers great except when your at a dead stop. could be something to consider. i also have a bigger steering wheel it helps out.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Borgeson makes a joint that does away with the rag joint.
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Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

54 jimmy, I thought about the manual steering, but my daughter may drive it someday so power would be nice...

Dirty doug, Thanks for the info, I'll check out Borgeson online. I see you are from the twin cities...any "speed shops" or "hot rod shops" around here that you know of? I like to find stuff on line, but I'd rather put my hands on it before I buy!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I replaced my rag joint with a u-joint from Speedway, worked great. I had to move my 5.3 over 5/8" to the passenger side for steering box clearance in mine.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I didn't have any clearance issues. Wonder if you mounted your engine up a bit more than me. I think a ujoint would definitely be the way to go.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looks like an awesome build. Definately jealous of your work space!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Yes, I am very lucky the bosses at work are letting me keep it there and letting me work on it evenings and Saturdays...However where it is parked is where they store some of the new car inventory and they are expecting many more new cars to be delivered in January. I'm trying to get far enough along to be able to paint it before I have to move it out and bring it home. Then I'll do most of the put together at home in my limited space. Hopefully I'll have it legally drivable by spring/early summer, so I can drive it to work and work on it there!!

I'm watching craigslist for some s10 swap headers...

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

yeah I like your plan, drive it to work to work on it. CL never fails. But worst comes to worst, those headers are cheap and you can just get a new set.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

There are no real speed shops left that I know of. TNT closed its doors a few months ago. I can check with my friend Curt at Creative Metalworks to see if he keeps one in stock, or my buddy Bob at C&F Racecars . That's where I got the last one I used. Otherwise I get them off of E-Bay . I'll see Curt tonight and I can ask him. He's just in Blaine , not far from you .
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Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Thanks DD

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I got my steel to start building the box. They fabricated the side panels wrong!! The correct ones will be here Friday. Everything else looks good. Started working on the front box panel today after work...pics tomorrow!!

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Here's a few pics of the front panel of the box going together. I've been measuring the original box (whats left of it) and sketching out my plans, so it's exciting to see it finally coming together!!

The correctly fabbed side panels should be delivered tomorrow, so I'll be starting on those Saturday.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

Looking good...Jim

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

cant wait to see all that together.

Re: 51 Chevy 1/2 ton, My S10 swap
 

I started on the box sides today...