Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Well I am back with my 3rd 60-66. Cant stay away. This time I am building what I always planned on doing previously; LS swap (well LQ4) and full step notch, dropmember and power steering and power disc brakes. Goal is laying frame.
The truck I bought is from the south and was an incomplete project that has 80% of what I would have been buying already so I really hit the jackpot. Very little to no rot, only small section of drivers floor but I am not concerned about that for now. Originally was looking at a few trucks with 350s that I would have had to try to sell but ended up finding this one that has a 6.0 out of a 2003 pickup; so no aluminum block but I liked the idea of a 6.0 and it is an LS variant. I wasnt planning on doing much to the motor but since it is coming out I think I am going to reseal it, get the injectors tested and maybe a few maintenance items - I am new to these engines so I am open on ideas on how to spend money wisely on it. Here she is waiting to be loaded and then unloaded today at my house.. buddy and I had the bed, hood and front clip off in no time. Planning on pulling the cab this weekend and getting the motor out. https://i.imgur.com/2wg4Hndl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VwSj4T1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ccPLjnul.jpg https://i.imgur.com/vkZSHdgl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/ILr11z5l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/cIy3S4Il.jpg https://i.imgur.com/XmUNCChl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/GKdvUbIl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WMGCxdxl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/k9UouuXl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/zSyFvNal.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Nice,you don't waste any time huh! even rear tank already...nice score..
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Looks like a cool little truck to start with. That is ambitious of you to have it torn down already! I think I would have cruised it around a bit before I started on it.
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Thanks guys, if I dont get moving immediately it won't get done - and yes rear tank is another bonus. This truck actually came with coilovers in the rear so I will be selling them to anyone who is interested just send me a note.
https://i.imgur.com/SaXvqKpl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/5efimd0l.jpg and a ****ty pic but can see how they bolt up. https://i.imgur.com/6i52kOcl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Nice truck to start with! Subscribed
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Goal for last night and today was to get some jigs made up and the cab off. Did this all solo, not the best craftsmanship but it did the job.
Next is going to be pulling the motor and trans and getting the frame cleaned up ready for some cutting and notching. Also will be going through the motor, not sure how deep yet maybe just remove the heads and check the gaskets. https://i.imgur.com/lqneYPhl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/MeS1FHLl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/q7ulACkl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
cool build man, ill follow along. run a leak down test on the motor before you dive into it, you might be surprised with the results, i bought a LQ4 for my '66 and was almost certain i would be doing a full tear down, especially with 200+ miles on the motor. but after my leak down test came back with 8-10% difference i left it how it was.
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Engine up and out. Going to do water pump/gaskets, timing chain cover clean up and gasket and probably heads off as well.
https://i.imgur.com/LpFfirvl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Nice looking project, can't wait to see what you do with it.
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
Waiting on a few gaskets for the motor but keeping the momentum going. Removed the fuel lines from the frame so its ready for a bit of blasting. Going to be ordering the choppin block setup early next week, Travis has been great at answering questions. In the meantime I got my transmission solenoids, filter and gasket so I cleaned up the tranny a bit and got the new bits installed. https://i.imgur.com/XQUDwcHl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/i2yeWq9l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/1YVfv8al.jpg https://i.imgur.com/y8tX0A2l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/p6dwMzkl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/LUOKzVXl.jpg Still need to clean up the bell housing but its better than it was. This is no show truck but trying to clean up where I can. |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Started to pull the driver head tonight and found a nice little crack - had a bad feeling about it. Seller actually was really cool and refunded me some money for this.
https://i.imgur.com/cQBWqrhl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oVIip8zl.jpg The question now is do I upgrade or just look for a replacement block for 3-400 and keep moving on? Really dont want to spend 3k on a motor but I am tempted. |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
Oh no, that’s to bad. I remember few years ago you could buy a reconditioned LQ4 block from summit for like $350 or something. I check every now and then and it says out of stock still. Good thing you found the crack though. You could always buy a LSX block if 2000hp is in your near future lol. Good luck on your search for a new one. |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Nice choice going with Choppin Block and going through Travis to purchase it. That's where I got my last one from and his customer service is second to none.
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
Motor Update: I found a 6.0 only an hour and a half away that I am picking up tomorrow morning. |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Glad you found another 6.0 close by.
Any time the heads are pulled on an older LS motor, I would suggest changing the lifter trays. Just cheap insurance while you're that far in... BTW, love the blue patina. That has always been my favorite color on that body style. Good luck!! |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Placed my order with Travis yesterday so hopefully all those goodies will be here in the next 2 weeks or so. In the meantime I am going to paint the frame and get rid of my front cross member and power steering setup. Going to post these in classifieds but probably need to sell to someone local.
Ordered new lifters, push rods and lifter trays for the 6.0 so crossing my fingers the motor will be assembled and ready to go this weekend. https://i.imgur.com/lQotgXKl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/sO35JB8l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/iMpUb5zl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7jOkBF1l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/OF4JXK9l.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Keep the updates coming.
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Knocked a few things out yesterday and today. Got the lifters and new lifter trays in as well as the head gaskets and heads back on. The rocker arm mounts were cross threaded so I didnt get those back in I will tap them tomorrow and finish the heads.
Pulled the front spindles off and gave them a fresh coat of paint, nothing crazy but wanted them cleaned up. Looking for a high hump trans tunnel and firewall piece so I can get that all finished up as well because once I finish the frame I want to get everything put back together asap. https://i.imgur.com/1Thgy6Wl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/g4cauuGl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/FZdx2gFl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Nlw3I88l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/MxDbQOtl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/7bGJRT5l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/xVJBMa5l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/wMXQYxnl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Have some time before the frame pieces come in so I decided to paint the LQ4. Nothing crazy but I think it looks great. Unfortunately these motors get covered up pretty quick once the coils and accessories go on.
Before: https://i.imgur.com/94DbSRwl.jpg After: https://i.imgur.com/Lnsa0IVl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Surprised you didn't toss a cam in there.
What head gaskets did you go with? |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
cleaned up the intake and got the water pump and tensioner mounted. Next is cleaning power steering bracket.
https://i.imgur.com/0US06kWl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
sweet looking old 66.....did you replace the headbolts? those are one time use torque to yield....
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
That motor cleaned up nicely, paint look great. Can't wait to get mine looking like that!!
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Got some Por-15 on the front part of the frame..most of the rear comes out with the choppin block kit. Will paint once it is all together.
https://i.imgur.com/2ZiOIfnl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
CB kit came yesterday in a bunch of boxes. I didn't have time last night to go through it so tonight after work I started the unwrapping and began on the front end.
The dropmember uses the factory holes but the bolts are a tad larger so you need to run a step drill bit and you are good to go. From there you add the inner frame support, upper bag mount and engine mounts. The engine mounts will go on the motor before dropping it in to ease that process. Once the drop member is in its just a process of installing your ball joints and bushings and then installing them on the drop member. Really not too much. The hardest part is making sure you have the parts on the correct side of the truck. I still need to install the lower ball joints and the shock relocation brackets and then I am moving on to the rear. Christmas in Feb https://i.imgur.com/RnT5Nwml.jpg Dropmember and inner frame supports in https://i.imgur.com/fklzZldl.jpg Closer look at inner frame mounts https://i.imgur.com/5fiuxTml.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QlthzNHl.jpg Motor mounts in their place https://i.imgur.com/vO3jZkul.jpg Upper bag and control arm mount https://i.imgur.com/xgqxHSVl.jpg and most of it in https://i.imgur.com/KB7WHULl.jpg until tomorrow https://i.imgur.com/L9McEC3l.jpg and another present for myself... https://i.imgur.com/FEFe7uvl.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Very nice!
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Looking good! Makes me miss my choppin block front crossmember :lol:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Frame cut and cross member out - took a few cut off wheels and created a ton of dust but we are almost ready for final mockup, paint and assembly of the frame. Weather is ****ty but hoping its dry this weekend so I can get a bunch of these parts painted.
If anyone needs a crossmember let me know https://i.imgur.com/ozsWzSAl.jpg https://i.imgur.com/N5kmg2il.jpg |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Nice build. Looking forward to more progress!
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
My goal is to be done and ready for E-Town swap meet are you going? |
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
some good looking parts you got.....nice welder to...
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
|
Re: Project 66: LS and Frame on the Ground
Quote:
Today was another busy day. I got most of the items a brief coat of paint yesterday so today's goal was to get the puzzle together. I am going to have to clean up some of the paint at some point but it looks fine for now. Nothing real hard here just a lot of drilling. Next up is welding the trailing arm brackets to the rear axle and then I plan on getting the wheels back on and engine back in the frame :metal: https://i.imgur.com/fwuvkc9l.jpg https://i.imgur.com/BrDFbLXl.jpg |
All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:05 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com