Late model Big block swap final touch....A/C
 

Finally got the final touches (for now) to my new big block done……I had the A/C lines custom built yesterday to allow the late model A/C compressor to be used in an older truck. Then today, I charged up the A/C system with R134A. Boy, is it cooold in this old rig now.

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I'm Envious!
 

SWEEET!

hey littlebuba...I see you live in Clinton Township...I used to be your neighbor...practically. I lived in Rochester from 1997 to 2001 then got lucky to get relocated back to Colorado.

sharp lookin engine compartment there guy!

Looks like your hard work paid off.
Looks great!

I checked out your link, other pictures look great too.
Very nice truck!

Thanks guys….

Here is what I yanked out. It was a tired little 350 that I set up with 1995 C/K serpentine belt accessories back in 1996.

Did you use a factory serpentine set up on this one as well?

Yes, I used 1996 through 2001 C/K 2500 or 3500 L29 454 brackets, 124 amp alternator, A/C compressor and the P/S pump. Every component was purchased new from GM dealers. The only part I purchased used was the exhaust manifolds and A/C hose manifold that bolts to the compressor, which I had to cut the hoses off of and fabricate new hoses to fit the 1978 system.

Serpentine belt system is far better than V-belts. The 124 amp alternator alone is leaps and bounds above the original 63 amp alternator. The 1995 serpentine setup that I had on my old small block was fitted with a 105 amp alternator.

I got the small block set-up for my 74 (not yet installed :rolleyes: ) & wondered about the big block set up to possibly use on my 67 if my homemade set up doesn't work as planned (or if I must have pwr steering). Thanks for the info.

I was wanting to go big block in my 75 Jimmy 2wd next year sometime. If you dont mind me asking how much they charge to make the A/C lines? Also any problems that really had you pulling hair out like exhaust or anything?

Brad

Scoti….you have to have power steering for a serpentine belt conversion if you plan on using all GM pieces. Actually, I don’t even think the aftermarket companies such as March even make a serpentine kit for non-power steering equipped vehicles. Converting 67’ - 72’ trucks from manual to power steering is a piece of cake…then you can have your cake and eat it too. Keep in mind, when you change over to serpentine belt you must also change your water pump to a late model as well as the fan and clutch fan as they turn backwards compared to V-belts. If you do not change your water pumps you will defiantly have a cooling problem.

ItsNotABlazer,

Usually to have A/C lines custom made you would be looking at about $150 for parts and labor not including installation and refrigerant. I am lucky enough to have a friend that owns a Napa store here in town that only charged me for parts not labor to make my lines. My A/C lines cost $75.23 for custom fabrication. That does not include the $10 bucks that I spend at the bone yard for the S-Series Jimmy/Blazer sport Ute A/C header assembly to create my hoses on. Hope this helps answer your question.

As far as problems during this swap….Oh, yeah, I had all kinds of problems as with any major swap considering I was bolting in a powerplant for a late 90’s vehicle into a 25 year old truck…old SAE bolts and holes, new Metric engine, new technology, old school engineering, defective parts, (see my signature for my cylinder head problem) the list goes on and on. But that is what makes this fun! Well…. it is fun when it is all done but it wasn’t fun when I was sitting in the garage cussing like a sailor when things didn’t work right. I have been collecting parts for this project since 2000 since I am working on a budget like anybody else. I am sure the REAL hair pulling experience will begin when I do the late model GM marine sequential fuel injection conversion.

If anybody would like a copy of my excel spreadsheet of part numbers PM me with an email address and I will send it to you. The excel spreadsheet covers 99% of the parts I purchased during this project including the suppliers I got them from. I cannot include prices as I am a GM employee and purchase parts at a lower rate than dealers can provide over the counter.

Nice, real nice. Neat as a pin. You have something to be proud of for sure.

I know how it is doing things on a budget. I guess if I could wait and finish one project before I start another I might be able to make more progress. Too many projects too little time :D

Brad

Did you have to put a computer in? Did you put it in the ESC computer position?

No, right now there is no need for a computer as it is still carbureted. Once I add fuel injection I will have to install a computer.

Sweet setup :)