Late model engine conversion questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Larry S · 10-02-2008, 04:02 AM

I have a 96 5.7 engine and trans that I am putting in my 69 c-10. I have several questions. I am wondering what to do to make the speedometer from my original cluster work with the electronic hookup on the trans. Does anyone make an adapter to make this work? Also my 69 was a 6 cyl/ 3speed on column. I need to find out what kind of steering column will work to put power steering on the truck. I would like to have the shifter and gear indicator on the cloumn. It didnt take long to see, this will be an extensive swap, but I have nothing in the 96, and think it'l be worth it after its done. Thanks for all advice!

BustedTruck · 10-02-2008, 08:04 AM

They make a device that takes the pulses from the speed sensor & converts it to a mechanical signal to your original speedometer. Someone else may come in with a link to it. As far as the power steering goes I have a column & gear box on a parts truck, if your interested let me know. I am just down the street from you & could bring them to you. Have you already converted to front disc & 5-lug? I have parts for this also.

**Boog** · 10-02-2008, 08:12 AM

Larry you didn't mention it but if you have the 96 truck on hand it will help as you will need the complete harness and control box, fuel lines, etc. Or you may want to purchase a stand alone harness.

**steelhorse** · 10-02-2008, 08:30 AM

Are you leaving it fuel injected or converting to a carb?

Ackattack · 10-02-2008, 09:53 AM

If you change steering columns for the auto shifter consider getting a tilt column (from a truck....or even a van) since you're changing it anyways.

**LEEVON** · 10-02-2008, 10:00 AM

you can swap out the tailshaft housing with an earlier 700r4 version that has the speedo gears. I swapped one with the pulse speedo and it worked great.

**Boog** · 10-02-2008, 10:04 AM

That would be cheaper than the aftermarket converter too. Seems like I remember it being 2 to 300 $.

sneakysnake · 10-02-2008, 10:50 AM

Not to steal this thread, I have a 96/5spd. Other than the adapter box has anybody heard of a gear swap that would work on a manual tranny

Larry S · 10-03-2008, 07:49 AM

Busted Truck I may hook up with you on that column. Is it tilt and does it have the indicator on the column? I have already converted it to 5 lug front disc, cleaned up the chassis and painted it with chassis saver. Yes I do have the complete 96 truck on hand. I have removed the harness and plan to pull the engine this weekend (if we dont have a baby!) Yes I am staying with the fuel injection. Also Should I use the accelerator out of the 96 and do away with the cruise box (Im not planning to put cruise on it) and get cables to bypass that box? Im sure I'll have alot of questions as I go further with this. Its going to be fun. The 69 truck was my grandpas old truck. He died in 1984. All of my aunts and uncles fought over it and I think they all owned it at one time, with intentions of fixin it up and none ever did. Then I got the call in the late 90's to haul it off for scrap. I hauled it home and stored it in a building.

1972CheyenneSuper · 10-03-2008, 10:53 AM

Cable X is the company that makes the electronic pulse to mechanical cable converter. Probably the best option for people that don't want to mess around with their tailhousing and speedo gears.

http://www.abbott-tach.com/cablex.htm

sneakysnake · 10-03-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972CheyenneSuper

Cable X is the company that makes the electronic pulse to mechanical cable converter. Probably the best option for people that don't want to mess around with their tailhousing and speedo gears.

http://www.abbott-tach.com/cablex.htm

Thanks,
I didnt see a price so I googled it and came up with these
http://www.gaugeguys.com/cablex.htm
http://www.corvetteclocks.com/index_files/Page1148.htm

svgould · 10-04-2008, 09:25 AM

Has anybody on here used/seen the cable-x in person? Some research on the web/other forums brings up lots of people who don't care for the cable-x system. I too need something to drive my mechanical speedo, but don't want to spend $300 on something that is not reliable. Here is the link to one person's experience with the cable-x. http://www.v8-ranger.com/blue/cablex/cablex.php

10-02-2008, 04:02 AM	#1
Larry S Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gainesville Ga Posts: 210	Late model engine conversion questions I have a 96 5.7 engine and trans that I am putting in my 69 c-10. I have several questions. I am wondering what to do to make the speedometer from my original cluster work with the electronic hookup on the trans. Does anyone make an adapter to make this work? Also my 69 was a 6 cyl/ 3speed on column. I need to find out what kind of steering column will work to put power steering on the truck. I would like to have the shifter and gear indicator on the cloumn. It didnt take long to see, this will be an extensive swap, but I have nothing in the 96, and think it'l be worth it after its done. Thanks for all advice!

10-02-2008, 08:04 AM	#2
BustedTruck Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Braselton, GA Posts: 245	Re: Late model engine conversion questions They make a device that takes the pulses from the speed sensor & converts it to a mechanical signal to your original speedometer. Someone else may come in with a link to it. As far as the power steering goes I have a column & gear box on a parts truck, if your interested let me know. I am just down the street from you & could bring them to you. Have you already converted to front disc & 5-lug? I have parts for this also.

10-02-2008, 08:12 AM	#3
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: Late model engine conversion questions Larry you didn't mention it but if you have the 96 truck on hand it will help as you will need the complete harness and control box, fuel lines, etc. Or you may want to purchase a stand alone harness. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-02-2008, 08:30 AM	#4
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Franklinton NC Posts: 1,309	Re: Late model engine conversion questions Are you leaving it fuel injected or converting to a carb?

10-02-2008, 09:53 AM	#5
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	Re: Late model engine conversion questions If you change steering columns for the auto shifter consider getting a tilt column (from a truck....or even a van) since you're changing it anyways. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

10-02-2008, 10:00 AM	#6
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: Late model engine conversion questions you can swap out the tailshaft housing with an earlier 700r4 version that has the speedo gears. I swapped one with the pulse speedo and it worked great. __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids

10-02-2008, 10:04 AM	#7
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,514	Re: Late model engine conversion questions That would be cheaper than the aftermarket converter too. Seems like I remember it being 2 to 300 $. __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

10-02-2008, 10:50 AM	#8
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: Late model engine conversion questions Not to steal this thread, I have a 96/5spd. Other than the adapter box has anybody heard of a gear swap that would work on a manual tranny

10-03-2008, 07:49 AM	#9
Larry S Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Gainesville Ga Posts: 210	Re: Late model engine conversion questions Busted Truck I may hook up with you on that column. Is it tilt and does it have the indicator on the column? I have already converted it to 5 lug front disc, cleaned up the chassis and painted it with chassis saver. Yes I do have the complete 96 truck on hand. I have removed the harness and plan to pull the engine this weekend (if we dont have a baby!) Yes I am staying with the fuel injection. Also Should I use the accelerator out of the 96 and do away with the cruise box (Im not planning to put cruise on it) and get cables to bypass that box? Im sure I'll have alot of questions as I go further with this. Its going to be fun. The 69 truck was my grandpas old truck. He died in 1984. All of my aunts and uncles fought over it and I think they all owned it at one time, with intentions of fixin it up and none ever did. Then I got the call in the late 90's to haul it off for scrap. I hauled it home and stored it in a building.

10-03-2008, 10:53 AM	#10
1972CheyenneSuper Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: ND Posts: 227	Re: Late model engine conversion questions Cable X is the company that makes the electronic pulse to mechanical cable converter. Probably the best option for people that don't want to mess around with their tailhousing and speedo gears. http://www.abbott-tach.com/cablex.htm __________________ 1972 Chevy C-10 Cheyenne Super - Buckets, A/C, "The 17 Year Revival Project" Last edited by 1972CheyenneSuper; 10-03-2008 at 10:53 AM.

10-04-2008, 09:25 AM	#12
svgould Active Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Boise Idaho Posts: 296	Re: Late model engine conversion questions Has anybody on here used/seen the cable-x in person? Some research on the web/other forums brings up lots of people who don't care for the cable-x system. I too need something to drive my mechanical speedo, but don't want to spend $300 on something that is not reliable. Here is the link to one person's experience with the cable-x. http://www.v8-ranger.com/blue/cablex/cablex.php __________________ 1971 SWB SOLD LT1 motor / 4l60E transmission ECE front dropped spindles with stock height springs 4" rear springs Coys Wheels 18 x 8 all the way around Hydratech hydroboost brake system



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