Family Project 65 C10 SWB "Old Blue"

[Ta2Don]

Lookin' Good, Nice progress!!!

What app is on your phone for checking the degree of angle?

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Lookin' Good, Nice progress!!!

What app is on your phone for checking the degree of angle?

It's call "iAngleFinder", but there are dozen of free ones on the app store. One thing to note though: the valley cover isn't actually level front to back on an LS, so I need to double check using the trans tail shaft or the balancer pulley...

[1963c-10]

The bracket you removed in post 49 is for the z-bar....no biggie, but just so you know in the future.

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

The bracket you removed in post 49 is for the z-bar....no biggie, but just so you know in the future.

Thanks for that. I knew it was something to do with the clutch/shifter stuff.

[JamieGallien]

So, I'm not a "bling" guy at all...even my turbo Buick Regal is blacked out with no chrome other than the bumpers...BUT...

I need headers or manifolds since the ones I have came from the silverado donor truck and won't fit. I ordered a set of these. Stainless, with extensions and o2 bungs, gaskets, bolts, Chinese, actually ship direct from china, but who knows...? At $185 shipped I figure it's worth a try. Maybe it'll end up being the go-to swap header for c10s?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/331390579579

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by Ta2Don

Lookin' Good, Nice progress!!!

What app is on your phone for checking the degree of angle?

Thanks for the complements btw... ;-)

[Ta2Don]

Originally Posted by JamieGallien

It's call "iAngleFinder", but there are dozen of free ones on the app store. One thing to note though: the valley cover isn't actually level front to back on an LS, so I need to double check using the trans tail shaft or the balancer pulley...

Thanks for the info...

[JamieGallien]

My dad's neighbor had some metal plate laying around and gave it to me to use to extend my frame inwards. I cut those to size last night. I also started the process of removing the three bolts that hold the frame to the crossmember. My plate will be going right over those bolts, then be bolted down and welded with gussets underneath. I swear it will all make sense once it's done, lol!! I'll have more pics of the tomorrow.

[JamieGallien]

We got the three cross member bolts removed from one side last night. Liberal doses of WD-40 and patience to make sure the nut/bolt don't heat up are the key to remove old bolts like this.

Placed the frame extension on the frame and marked the bolt locations. Center punched and drilled out the holes. Looks good. Now for the other side...

[JamieGallien]

For those interesting in fabbing their own mounts from the late model mounts, a few pics of where we cut the late model mounts. Basically we placed them on the engine and cut straight across, level with the ground. Still to be determined how this mounting method works out, but things are looking good so far! The left pic is the late model drivers side mount, goes on passenger side of 65. The right pic is the late model passenger side and goes on the driver side of the 65. No real reason for swapping other than it fits that way...

[JamieGallien]

No progress last night, but I did pick up new bolts for the frame to crossmember. Thought I would ask on here though...I bought grade 5 bolts (3 ticks). Are they strong enough for this use or do I need grade 8 (six ticks)? I'm thinking grade 5 should be more than strong enough...

[JamieGallien]

A little more progress. A project like this is all about the next step...

Got the passenger side frame extension cut, drilled and bolted in with new bolts.

[1963c-10]

I would use grade 8 or the original hardware in my opinion if they will clean up nice.

[JamieGallien]

Got my computer back from Brendan at ltwswaps.com. The best price I've seen on a basic unlock (vats, egr, etc). Just don't expect much in the way of communication once he answers your questions about your setup and you mail your pcm to him. I would like to have gotten confirmation that he received my PCM intact, and asked for that several times over email. The next communication I got was that it was on the way back several days later. He did get it back to be 5 days after he received it though and the price is right. Just remember it's not his primary source of income (I think).

[JamieGallien]

My daughter cut and painted the bottom braces for the frame extensions.

[JamieGallien]

Drilled the drivers side frame extension and bolted it in. Some pic of the extensions and support braces.

[JamieGallien]

Almost ready to tack and weld! I'm going to weld the braces to the extensions, then drill the braces to bolt them to the cross-member. I'm using 2 existing motor stand holes in the cross-member and have to drill two. Also another pic of my daughter throwing sparks!!

[JamieGallien]

This Saturday is the start of something cool based on this truck build. We call it #GodsGarage. We have students coming to the house to hang out, eat, and work on the truck. I'll be teaching them about living life with Jesus AND teach them how to work on vehicles. This is gonna be fun!! Updates and pics tomorrow!

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

I would use grade 8 or the original hardware in my opinion if they will clean up nice.

Thanks. The original bolts came off ok, but they did heat up quite a bit to get them off, so I decided to replace all six. I still have to test fit the engine, tack the ls mounts to the frame extensions, then remove everything and weld it all up before I'm ready to permanently mount everything. I think I'll pay the few cents extra to go get grade 8 bolts as you suggest.

[JamieGallien]

We cut the braces a bit to make it look better and to get rid of sharp edges...

[JamieGallien]

We welded the supports to the frame extensions. So...I haven't done any welding for many many years...no jokes about the welds. Jokes about about welding in shorts are valid... (like father like son, lol!!)

[JamieGallien]

The finished welds need quite a bit of grinding to clean up, but good enough for a hacker!

We decided that we didn't want to weld these new LS perches to the truck. I just couldn't stand the thought of it, just like I didn't want to notch the frame for the exhaust. Didn't feel right. Instead, we used one existing perch bolt hole and drilled a second on each side. Now the LS perches can be removed if necessary.

[JamieGallien]

Set the engine in with the help of one the #GodsGarage students, Jacob helped out a ton Saturday! This is just a test fit with the Silverado mounts on the engine so we could tack weld them to the new perches we made.

[JamieGallien]

Shop dog! And the finished LS perches, ready to be bolted in! Then....drum roll please....the 5.3 installed and bolted down! Looks so good! My dad, son and I showing off the results!

[JamieGallien]

More after install pics. A/C and P/S pump clearing with factory Silverado mounts. I may have to drive it like this so everybody can see what I've got, lol!