49 ls1
 

So I've been prodded to start a build thread on my newest acquisition. 49 3600 Chevy 5 window. I was given this truck when I was 11 years old, and until the last year or so have been steadily pimping the parts off of it for other projects. However, last time I was home, it didn't look near as far gone as I had remembered (or maybe every joker on craigslist seems to think that their rusty farm truck that has been sitting in a field for 30 years is worth $2500). So I decided to drag it home and see what could be done with it.

Sorry, no before pics.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I started with a half ton frame that already had a 71 Camaro stub on it. I found it at auction for $200. After taking careful measurements I decided it was done pretty decently (I'll be adding some gussets and fish plates just for GP) and would make a good platform for my new shop rig. Heres some pics.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I've been wrestling with direction for this project. I've picked up a 5.3L from a wrecked 2005 Suburban, and a 4L80E 2wd trans from a 2000 truck. I'm leaning towards "Hot Rod Flatz" firemist Fathom Green, mild bodywork, air bags, custom built radius arm independent rear suspension, 17x8 steelie wheels with 55 chevy pickup dog-dishes, 55 Chevy pickup dashboard, and maybe a few other items. Here's the color, interior will be 2 tone, green and beige.

I also picked up a 55 truck dash from Jim Carter here in KC, figured to play with that a little bit and see if I couldn't get it to look ok in there.

Re: 49 ls1
 

So I wound up cutting the ends of the 55 dash off, then integrating them into the doors, so that when you close them the dash becomes wrap around. I think it looks kinda trick, but there's a helluva lot of metalwork left to do!

Re: 49 ls1
 

So here's my 5.3L... 98,000 miles, gave $350 for it. It's a 2005 drive by wire, which I am converting to a 2001 PCM and drive by cable setup. Looked kind of nasty when I picked it up, but turned out to be in real nice shape inside! Final pics are all buttoned up with LS6 cam and fresh paint.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Next on the list was a better radiator option. I wound up ordering a 19x22 double pass crossflow radiator from Speedway (for like $110!) with pass side inlet and outlet (perfect for an LS motor). I bought a junk core support to cut up from Jim Carters, and got to work. I needed to get the radiator high enough to clear the Camaro power steering box, while giving myself enough room for efan setup in front of the motor.

Re: 49 ls1
 

capped the bottom in 18ga steel bent to capture the rubber rad isolators from mid 80's Ford POS cars (Left upper from 4 different cars was the right width!) and mocked it up for trial fitment. Clears the power steering box by about 3/4"...

That's about it for now, hoping to get the motor mounts mocked up once the core support brackets are complete, maybe by the end of the weekend?:lol:

Re: 49 ls1
 

Very Nice! See, this is the part of the deal I dig, the crazy roughing and modding part. Please continue!

Re: 49 ls1
 

Oh I will brother. got some kinda crazy ideas with this one. We'll see how it comes together!

Re: 49 ls1
 

nice work you got goin on there !!!- glad to see that machine out of the field and bein; taken care of .

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks Daze... It just seemed like it was in better shape than all the stuff I was finding for sale! What you see is what you get though. I have no headlight stuff, no windows, a bent to hell grill, no box, no rear fenders... etc. They're out there though.

Re: 49 ls1
 

B:tching project, I am along for the ride! Keep up the hard work!

Re: 49 ls1
 

''and you will find them !!!!!!!''

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, looking good there buddy, won't be long and you'll be running down the road...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

I love '49s. My formerly best friend got one when we were in the 7th grade. Did a little body work to it, threw it on an s10 frame and let it sit since. Sometimes I wonder if he truly appreciates the things he has. Good looking truck, looking forward to following this build.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Nice project and I like the dash as it is the same one I used in mine. What is your plan for the gauge cluster? I'm using a flamed one from EBAY for something different than the stock one.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Where are you guys getting these cheap LS motors? Everything I run across is 1k for a solid one!

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thank you all for the interest... This will hopefully be my showcase truck.

Alaska gasser, I was planning on using the stock '55 cluster. Going for a certain look, custom, but not too much bling. I found a nice speedo converter that will allow the stock speedo to work with the VSS on the 4L80E.

Low elco, Craigslist bro... They're out there. I picked that one up from Leavenworth, KS.

I'm hoping to have this one in shape for the Midwest All Truck Nats next year... Would look cool towing my V8 Lawnmower!

Re: 49 ls1
 

Finally got my core support located so I can remove the fenders for engine mockup! I'm hoping to have motor mounts built by the end of the weekend, then on to some bodywork.

Re: 49 ls1
 

So I decided to mock up the 5.3 in the engine bay to see where I was at, and where I'd have to cut. I mounted it about 2 inches higher than I would have for a 350, so I can use the stock pan. Since this truck will get bagged, I don't want anything hanging below that crossmember.

Initially I had about 3.5" of clearance between the wp pulley and the rad. I'm looking for about 5". Rather than buy a different accessory drive, I decided a 2" recessed firewall was a good option. So I made some rough cuts, bolted on the trans, and blocked it in position.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Once I was happy with the positioning of the motor, I started to put together some motor mounts. The last shot is with the intake in position (It kinda fits perfect in the factory 6 banger recession).

Re: 49 ls1
 

Once I had the mounts made, I strengthened them with some 1/4 wall tube, and started banging out a new firewall. I want this one to be smooth, so I cut the factory one completely out, saved and re-used the 6 cyl recession (and moved it down about 1.5"), and cut 18ga. sheet to fit. It's just sheetmetal screwed for now, but I'll be welding it in, and re-bracing the backside tomorrow.

Hopefully this weekend I can get the cab off, and build the trans mount.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Chris, starting to take shape, nice job...Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

Looks great.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks guys. This one's for me, so I'm taking my time.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Shapin' up good! I like the way the recess matches the curve of the intake cover.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I love seeing LS motors and smooth firewalls in these things.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks Wybrow and Elco. I still have to finish up the lower firewall. I think Tomorrow afternoon I'm gonna pull the cab to make the trans crossmember. Then it'll be on to rust repair! got some kick panel (inner and outer) issues, and cab corners to fix.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Today I built a holder for my PCM. Welds to the inside of the drivers firewall, PCM just slides in and locks in place.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I also pulled the cab to start making a transmission crossmember. Should have that and the brake setup done today.

Re: 49 ls1
 

You work fast man. Nice progress. Looking forward to seeing how you route the wiring.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Same here Chris....Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

Thanks guys. My plan on the harness is to run everything (TP, IAC, Injectors, Coils, Alt) under the intake so that none of it is very visible. Then from the back of the motor, I'm going to go straight up (behind the drivers valve cover) into top of the 2" recess. So only about 3 or 4" of harness will show behind the motor. That being said, I'm sure there is some reason that it won't work out, and I'll wind up re-doing everything...

Re: 49 ls1
 

Big weekend... Ernie's '53 is finally home, worked on Chris's '33 with him today, and got a bunch done on the '49 as well.

To start with, I finished up the crossmember. I cut 1/8" steel to box in the frame (it will get fully boxed when I'm done). Drilled holes for the crossmember, and welded nuts to the backside. Here's some pics.

Re: 49 ls1
 

I also had some issues with my brake setup. The brake lever was too close to the bell housing, and would have interfered with the exhaust routing. Solution was to use the clutch pedal, weld the brake pedal to it, then cut the brake pedal, and the clutch pivot, moving the whole thing over to the outboard hole in the floor. should clear everything just fine now.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Here is a little on the wiring. the stock intake has plenty of "meat" to clearance in order to run wiring under the intake. 1st pic is the bottom of the stock intake runners. 2nd is where I notched them, 3rd shows the amount of room to run injector wires below the intake for a clean look.

There's still plenty of room left should I need to clearance them more for the coil pack wires.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Hey Chris, your moving right along, nice work. I also noticed you had three threads and 3 post, with work done on all of them. All I can say is "you the man"....Jim

Re: 49 ls1
 

This is not your first rodeo, great work.

Re: 49 ls1
 

Jim, you are very observant. I did work on all three this weekend, I'm a little ADD maybe? Albeit, If I only had one project I could get way more done on it!
Besides, the quicker I can turn them out... the more of them I can save!

Squirts, actually this is my first LS1. Just do lots of research before I start to find the tricks and avoid others mistakes (I make enough of my own mistakes to keep me busy!)

Re: 49 ls1
 

Truck is looking good, nice work!
Shawn