Project -underfunded - '68 shortstep/carb'd LSx/200-4r build

[68GMCCustom]

I'm finally to the "mostly clean" part of my build. I am doing a frame up on my '68 GMC custom. Cosmetically it looks like a Chevy with a '68 Chevy grill, though my plans are for no markings on the truck.

I will be installing a genIV '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor (using the ECE kit) with a 200-4r trans backing it up. The LY6 is an iron block 6.0L with VVT (variable valve timing) and the high flowing L92/LS3 style rectangular intake port heads. This 6.0L will not be efi...it will have a Holley Street HP 750 carb sitting atop a GMPP LSX/LS3 dual plane intake with an MSD 6LS-2 to read the sensors and fire off the factory coil packs. Comp has recommended a .224/.228 @ .050 and .566/.568 lift on 112 LSA tho I've been thinking bigger. The 200-4r is built to handle 500+hp and has a 2500rpm stall convertor.

*edit - cam went bigger! see attached:


I also have the CPP (Western) 2.5" drop spindles, tubular upper control arms, 1"/4" drop springs, drop shocks, adj. panhard, and front and rear sway bars to upgrade the suspension. I also am wanting to add rack and pinion steering, bigger brakes and rear discs, and a vintage air. As for the body...other then the addition of a cowl induction hood...the paint and body work will have to wait for me to pay off the powertrain/chassis build.

The perfectly good running and looking truck I started (after setting the body on a '72 chassis a few years ago) with:







...still can't believe I tore it apart!



and now..........
the chassis:









the motor:




and trans:


....more to come later

[travlinman]

i was just looking at this swap as it caught my eye being still carb'd and still have the summit page open reading about the msd box and harness.
i hope u will finish this so i can fallow along.
good job so far!!

[STOCKISH]

This is going to be really cool. Good luck buddy. I know what you mean about tearing apart a perfectly good running and driving truck. I did the same thing.

[Dieselwrencher]

This is going to be a sweet truck again!

[POPO1984]

sweet. how much does it look like you will be spending for parts to get the engine running. ie msd box ect

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks all. And yes...this project WILL be finished...or at least the chassis/drivetrain. I won't be doing anything (other then some spotty rust removal) to the body for a while. Will have to wait for the C-5's too.

I bought a crate motor that had everything on it but no harness and no ECM. I knew I wanted to go carb'd on it so whatever the cost was going to be...was whatever the cost was going to be. Later I decided to sell off the EFI/VVT stuff that was on it. The intake was about $450 I think, the 6LS-2 MSD box $329 fires the OEM coil packs, Holley HP 750 $489, GM fuel pump $89 plys misc. items. I also bought a new idler pulley, starter, alternator, and ps pump as they didn't come with the accessory drive bracket. I also need a new cam as the VVT one needs to come out and go to another member.

If someone had their own carb (that would be a good fit) already, they could save the carb cost. And btw...there are cheaper intakes for both the cathedral port and even the new rectangular port heads as long as a single plane is OK.

[POPO1984]

how big do you plan on going with cam. Not sure how much you are into ls engines but patrick guerra on ls1tech does a really good job at specing custom cams to your setup. he speced me one for my 5.3 ls silvy and i was pretty happy with it. he goes by patrick g. on ls1tech.

[68GMCCustom]

comp spec'd me one, just thinking I want to go bigger. I may go with the 2 piece timing cover so later I can upgrade.

[68GMCCustom]

well I got the front crossmember bolted in with all new grade8 hardware, got the poly bushings installed in the trailing arms, and got the trailing arms mounted up to their crossmember. Hope to put the motor in to mock up the trans this weekend. I'll have to lift it back up to take care of the oil pickup tube and oil pan after I get my new cam in.
guess I better order that dang thing, along with stiffer springs and good push rods...another "to do" for this weekend. Oh...I need to find a valve spring compressor for use removing the springs while the heads are on the block too. They're sooo expensive for what they are!

[mac72]

68 are you talking about compressor tool being to expensive?

[68GMCCustom]

valve spring compressor for LS2/LS3 style heads, while they are still on the block.

[VA72C10]

Cool build. Will be a great truck. Already was really nice!

[project67-stepside]

can u tell me what front bumper ur runnin thks

[68GMCCustom]

that bumper came from LMC trucks I think. I was getting ready to buy one from LMC and I found this one on the web for like half price. It had been mounted and removed.
The lights are fairly bright, but if your truck has alot of rake...its hard to get them pointed far enough out to help much...other then lighting up the sides of the road better.

My truck is getting lowered and a slight change in stance...which I hope will allow me to aim them better.

[LEEVON]

I love the build, I'm putting together a carbed 5.3L right now too, won't be anything like your L92 beast though. I know you didn't ask for votes, but the truck looks great without the cowl hood...just had to throw that in!

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks! I donated that hood to a guy that did some work for me when I took the truck apart...so I have to replace it. Don't really need a cowl hood to get it all in...but I've had one planned for a couple of years. we'll see.

[68GMCCustom]

well my build fund finally got a small shot in the arm...so all the cam stuff is getting ordered in the next couple of days. still contemplating going bigger....but we'll see.


also....I hate to do it but I'm cleaning up my 383 stroker to get it ready for sale along with the turbo350. It will be offerered as a "complete" motor...just like I pulled it...March serpentine accessory drive, Holley carb, HEI dizzy, fuel pump, starter, headers, just hook it all up. The purple cleaner I used seems to attcked the clear coat on the brackets, pullies, and the finish on the Proform bowtie valve covers. So its discount priced, as is the turbo350. I'll list a link to the for sale thread on it when I get that far. Someone could buy the turn key package deal of engine and trans for less then a long block crate motor and have a stronger motor to boot.

[68GMCCustom]

put the 383 stroker and turbo 350 up for sale:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/c...p?product=4568

[68GMCCustom]

Well I mocked up the carb on the motor and found my new airfilter to have a 3" drop base that doesn't look good...so its sitting on a chrome base right now. ALso working on the front suspension. I need to finish putting the ball joint and cross shaft in one more lower control arm, paint the springs, then install with the new drop spindles. I hope to make some noticable progress over the next few days.

[85burb]

I just love how good these engines look with carbs on them. It is like they were made for one. Looks like nascar engines. MMMMM

Also if i would have seen your 383 for sale befor i decided to go lsx that sucker would have been mine. Looks amazing. Great price too. Should sell fast.

[68GMCCustom]

I got a new oil filter and some oil for the 383 today. I'll drain it tomorrow and let it sit for an hour or so and then put the new filter on and fill it up. That way if nobody buys it...and I've had some low offers...it'll be ready for storing a while. I feel the motor and trans are too good to give away... so I've been fairly firm on price with only a little flexibility. If it doesn't sell here, I guess I'll offer it on CL...probably for just a bit more.
Oh...and it got a new 3" air filter too to replace that 2" one in the pics.

Got the other lower ball joint in and after fighting with it for nearly an hour...the lower cross shaft in. It kept binding and after several attempts I finally put a wire brush on my drill and cleaned out the threads in the control arm. Then I threaded in the problem side a good ways 1st, and finally got it all to go together w/o binding. I still need to drill the holes for the new ECE LSx motor mount kit and set my engine and trans in to mock up everything.

[85burb]

Is smoking deal for someone. Good to here you won battle with arms. Looks realy good.

[68GMCCustom]

well...I got the crossmember all tightened down and the ECE kit partially bolted down with everything slightly loose to move it around...and make it crooked.

anway...I've got the motor bolted down in the frame now. I just need to bolt up the trans and figure out where everythings going to sit, mark it...then pull it all back out...drill holes for bottom of ECE mount, drill holes to bolt in trans crossmember if needed, and then install the boxing plates.

Once the cam work is done...I can put the motor back in.



OH......I guess you guys want pics? OK...coming up in a bit!

[68GMCCustom]

Here's a few shots...I'm going to bed.

It just mocked up for now...and partially supported by a jack and jack stand:





Looks like its pretty tall?



about an 1" of clearance with LY6 truck pan:



LY6 (iron 6.0L w/L92 heads) exhaust manifold w/o shield:

[VA72C10]

Nice!!!