Ls1 swap: letdown of the day #1 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shifty · 09-25-2005, 12:43 PM

Talk about a bummer. Take the front clip off, go to line up the engine and tranny to figure out where to drill holes for the mounts, get it all in there and ... got a fight between the A/C compressor and the Alternator. Frame rails are a bit too tight. Would be a major pain in the ass to remove, drop the engine in and remount it (trying to get to the bolts would be a major B$#CH once it's mounted).

I guess I'm going to flare out the driver's side framerail same as the passenger's side, thinking that might give me enough room to slide it in. Dunno how to do that yet.

Pics:

gonebad2 · 09-25-2005, 01:01 PM

It's hard to tell by the pics how much it would need to be bent/flared out to make it fit. If it's a considerable amount of material from the frame, I would give some thought to cutting and boxing that small portion of the frame.

masterbeavis · 09-25-2005, 01:09 PM

Heh, DOOH!! I am thankfull on the truck motors all of the bulky stuff is on top of the motor

At least that is one problem I wont have to deal with.

FirstGen · 09-25-2005, 09:16 PM

There are a few alternator relocation kits out. I know I've heard of a few. Do a search on ls1tech.com and you are sure to come up with a few options if that is what you want to do.

Personally, I would remove the alt or compressor and deal with re-installing it after you get the motor mounted.

I had the same issue with my ac compressor with the truck motor. They are in the same location. The truck a/c compressor is a tad bit smaller though which I thought seemed backwards...

Goodluck,
Taylor

shifty · 09-26-2005, 10:12 AM

PS, there was a letdown of the day #2 - it basically revolves around what happens when your thumb gets sandwiched between a framerail and a 750lb engine+tranny.

I had to drain the blood from under my nail in several places on the thumb yesterday to relieve pressure. It ain't purty

*FormerMember* · 09-26-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

PS, there was a letdown of the day #2 - it basically revolves around what happens when your thumb gets sandwiched between a framerail and a 750lb engine+tranny.

I had to drain the blood from under my nail in several places on the thumb yesterday to relieve pressure. It ain't purty

OUCH! I know how that feels and it's NOT fun. Neither is growing back a thumb nail.

What are you doing putting your digits in there???

I agree, I would yank the accessories off and deal with just the block.

FirstGen · 09-26-2005, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

PS, there was a letdown of the day #2 - it basically revolves around what happens when your thumb gets sandwiched between a framerail and a 750lb engine+tranny.

I had to drain the blood from under my nail in several places on the thumb yesterday to relieve pressure. It ain't purty

It's ok, the ladies dig a battered man.

lol

shifty · 09-26-2005, 11:07 AM

LOL, I wish that was true about the battle wounds. After hacking out a city block's worth of kudzu vine this weekend and working on the engine, my hands are blistered and battered. My woman ain't too keen on it and thinks I'm falling apart

I'm going to take off the A/C compressor today or tomorrow and try again (still gotta drill out my mounts...this ECE kit is pretty nice). A/C compressor only takes four bolts through the side IIRC. I'll try to reinstall it once it's in, although I'm not sure how lucky I'll get. If nothing else, I'll buy a delete kit for the A/C compressor for now. I just didn't want to wait any longer

Setbacks, setbacks, setbacks...

*FormerMember* · 09-26-2005, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shifty

LOL, I wish that was true about the battle wounds. After hacking out a city block's worth of kudzu vine this weekend and working on the engine, my hands are blistered and battered. My woman ain't too keen on it and thinks I'm falling apart

I'm going to take off the A/C compressor today or tomorrow and try again (still gotta drill out my mounts...this ECE kit is pretty nice). A/C compressor only takes four bolts through the side IIRC. I'll try to reinstall it once it's in, although I'm not sure how lucky I'll get. If nothing else, I'll buy a delete kit for the A/C compressor for now. I just didn't want to wait any longer

Setbacks, setbacks, setbacks...

Always, when re-engineering a 30 YO vehicle with new schtuff.

hang in there, it's always fun when it's together and you're burning rubber.

panhandler62 · 09-26-2005, 12:39 PM

In the long run.... you might not want the alternator down there in the puddles and all anyway.

It might be a much happier situation to look into a relocation kit or custom brackets to get the accesories up top.

On other fronts -- unless you are accomplished at thumb - wretling gorillas -- it's not likely that you can grapple an engine into place by hand. Keep them digits clear! LOL

shifty · 09-26-2005, 12:57 PM

Yeah, I agree, I looked into a relocator at ls1tech, but all I could find is stuff that the guys with turbos are using and the only one that was reasonable ($125) comes from QMP (quarter mile performance) and they may be out of business - website is down and a lot of people had bad dealings with the guys who own it.

I want to keep it clean and as close to stock on the new engine as possible, if the alt moves, I gotta change the harness.

As for fingers in the way of the engine - when you're rocking and tweaking and dropping something like that in by yourself on a 30yr old truck (

), sometimes things get shoved where they shouldn't be

I'll be happy when the engine, tranny and crossmembers are all bolted up. The rest will seem like a cakewalk. Electric fans should be here by friday. All that leaves is pedal setup, fuel tank-pump-lines setup, shifter positioning and cutting the hole in the floor, gauge setup, PCM reprogramming and wire harness reconfig. That'll probably take at least a month. Oh, and my heater core is busted also, but that's chump change compared to the rest of this stuff

cdowns · 09-26-2005, 01:00 PM

maybe a smaller diameter alt is available???

FirstGen · 09-26-2005, 01:05 PM

All in due time!

*FormerMember* · 09-26-2005, 01:16 PM

Aren't you glad you removed the front clip afterall?

That would've been your elbow that got gacked.

shifty · 09-26-2005, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendel

Aren't you glad you removed the front clip afterall?

That would've been your elbow that got gacked.

You don't hafta tell me! I'm grateful for sure I followed that advice. Last thing I'd have wanted was to go through that nonsense with the front clip on. It would have never happened.

If you note the frame above, you'll see the manual gearbox is gone as well. I got rid of it and took an old one to get cored, bought a new one (OEM refurb - Cardone) and pitman arm from Advance for $180 (pricematch to Auto Zone made it cheaper). That's going in as soon as I get the drivetrain mounted.

incoma · 09-27-2005, 12:06 AM

I test fit a 5.3L in my truck a few months...no wait 1 1/2 years ago. The accessories from a truck will fit right in. I think there's a bit of tweaking needed for the p/s pump, but it did fit. Perhaps you just need to find the brackets from a truck.

FirstGen - didn't you have a truck engine and brackets in yours? Unless you built a custom 6.0..

**N2TRUX** · 09-27-2005, 12:15 AM

Nothing a little grinding won't fix......

shifty · 09-27-2005, 12:37 AM

hey N2, what's that a frame for? (other than that, you got any info on the suspension? i notice the brackets on the side there)

Redaddiction · 09-27-2005, 03:12 AM

Sorry to see you are having trouble already. I'm glad I'm using the truck brackets they mount the alternator up high the same for the corvette's. I know gm sells the brackets for a fairly cheap price by gm's standards but if do decide to move to truck accesories nothign will fit from f-body the accesories are all spaced differently.

I say have a machine shop make you a bracket to move the alternator or get a smaller one. On the ac compressor you might be able to use a truck one and bracket and change the pully's up I have one laying around if you need any measurements etc or if you need some parts to test fit I can send em to you I have a bunch of odds and ends you can borrow to help you figure stuff out.

**guyryan100** · 09-27-2005, 09:13 AM

Keep in mind that alternator will one day need replacing and you're not going to want to pull the front clip and engine to change the alternator!!

Americanrider · 09-27-2005, 09:45 AM

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...ngine-Swap.htm

shifty · 09-27-2005, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Americanrider

http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...ngine-Swap.htm

Not much help, but an idea. Never thought to use a 99+ oil pain instead of the F-Body oil pan. Should make sliding things in a lot easier.

**Yukon Jack** · 09-27-2005, 10:10 AM

Hang in there and take your time deciding the best fix for this problem. I ran into so many unexpected problems with my swap but with time and thought, everything will work out.

70 shorty · 09-27-2005, 09:13 PM

I have no specific advice to your swap, but I also wanted to add that remember whatever you come up with, just make sure it will fit with the front clip back on.

FuelCellGuy · 09-27-2005, 09:33 PM

Here's my solution to a similar problem with the LT1 swap I did in my 68. I notched both sides of my frame to clear the factory compressor and the York air ride compressor. Hope this helps. Later, Mark

09-25-2005, 01:09 PM	#3
masterbeavis Having issues Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eldorado Ca, an hour east of sacramento Posts: 696	Heh, DOOH!! I am thankfull on the truck motors all of the bulky stuff is on top of the motor At least that is one problem I wont have to deal with. __________________ Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati. The Man's Prayer: "I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess." Last edited by masterbeavis; 09-25-2005 at 01:10 PM.

09-25-2005, 09:16 PM	#4
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	There are a few alternator relocation kits out. I know I've heard of a few. Do a search on ls1tech.com and you are sure to come up with a few options if that is what you want to do. Personally, I would remove the alt or compressor and deal with re-installing it after you get the motor mounted. I had the same issue with my ac compressor with the truck motor. They are in the same location. The truck a/c compressor is a tad bit smaller though which I thought seemed backwards... Goodluck, Taylor __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

09-26-2005, 10:12 AM	#5
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	PS, there was a letdown of the day #2 - it basically revolves around what happens when your thumb gets sandwiched between a framerail and a 750lb engine+tranny. I had to drain the blood from under my nail in several places on the thumb yesterday to relieve pressure. It ain't purty __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

09-26-2005, 11:07 AM	#8
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	LOL, I wish that was true about the battle wounds. After hacking out a city block's worth of kudzu vine this weekend and working on the engine, my hands are blistered and battered. My woman ain't too keen on it and thinks I'm falling apart I'm going to take off the A/C compressor today or tomorrow and try again (still gotta drill out my mounts...this ECE kit is pretty nice). A/C compressor only takes four bolts through the side IIRC. I'll try to reinstall it once it's in, although I'm not sure how lucky I'll get. If nothing else, I'll buy a delete kit for the A/C compressor for now. I just didn't want to wait any longer Setbacks, setbacks, setbacks... __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

09-26-2005, 12:39 PM	#10
panhandler62 Java Mechanic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 6,763	In the long run.... you might not want the alternator down there in the puddles and all anyway. It might be a much happier situation to look into a relocation kit or custom brackets to get the accesories up top. On other fronts -- unless you are accomplished at thumb - wretling gorillas -- it's not likely that you can grapple an engine into place by hand. Keep them digits clear! LOL __________________ Keith 11 Lincoln MKT -- Momma's wagon 13 G37xS -- middle age crazy car 68 C20 Fleetside -- RIP Decorating the whole town up at a cost of $27 ....

09-25-2005, 12:43 PM	#1
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Ls1 swap: letdown of the day #1 Talk about a bummer. Take the front clip off, go to line up the engine and tranny to figure out where to drill holes for the mounts, get it all in there and ... got a fight between the A/C compressor and the Alternator. Frame rails are a bit too tight. Would be a major pain in the ass to remove, drop the engine in and remount it (trying to get to the bolts would be a major B$#CH once it's mounted). I guess I'm going to flare out the driver's side framerail same as the passenger's side, thinking that might give me enough room to slide it in. Dunno how to do that yet. Pics: __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

09-25-2005, 01:01 PM	#2
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	It's hard to tell by the pics how much it would need to be bent/flared out to make it fit. If it's a considerable amount of material from the frame, I would give some thought to cutting and boxing that small portion of the frame. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

09-26-2005, 12:57 PM	#11
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	Yeah, I agree, I looked into a relocator at ls1tech, but all I could find is stuff that the guys with turbos are using and the only one that was reasonable ($125) comes from QMP (quarter mile performance) and they may be out of business - website is down and a lot of people had bad dealings with the guys who own it. I want to keep it clean and as close to stock on the new engine as possible, if the alt moves, I gotta change the harness. As for fingers in the way of the engine - when you're rocking and tweaking and dropping something like that in by yourself on a 30yr old truck (), sometimes things get shoved where they shouldn't be I'll be happy when the engine, tranny and crossmembers are all bolted up. The rest will seem like a cakewalk. Electric fans should be here by friday. All that leaves is pedal setup, fuel tank-pump-lines setup, shifter positioning and cutting the hole in the floor, gauge setup, PCM reprogramming and wire harness reconfig. That'll probably take at least a month. Oh, and my heater core is busted also, but that's chump change compared to the rest of this stuff __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

09-26-2005, 01:00 PM	#12
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	maybe a smaller diameter alt is available??? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-26-2005, 01:05 PM	#13
FirstGen Just Don't Stop! Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 1,239	All in due time! __________________ 1968 C10 build in process TT LSA/6L90e/9"

09-26-2005, 01:16 PM	#14
FormerMember Account Suspended Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,051	Aren't you glad you removed the front clip afterall? That would've been your elbow that got gacked.

09-27-2005, 12:06 AM	#16
incoma Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 865	I test fit a 5.3L in my truck a few months...no wait 1 1/2 years ago. The accessories from a truck will fit right in. I think there's a bit of tweaking needed for the p/s pump, but it did fit. Perhaps you just need to find the brackets from a truck. FirstGen - didn't you have a truck engine and brackets in yours? Unless you built a custom 6.0..

09-27-2005, 12:15 AM	#17
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Nothing a little grinding won't fix...... Attached Images __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

09-27-2005, 12:37 AM	#18
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,373	hey N2, what's that a frame for? (other than that, you got any info on the suspension? i notice the brackets on the side there) __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

09-27-2005, 03:12 AM	#19
Redaddiction LS1 Lover Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 474	Sorry to see you are having trouble already. I'm glad I'm using the truck brackets they mount the alternator up high the same for the corvette's. I know gm sells the brackets for a fairly cheap price by gm's standards but if do decide to move to truck accesories nothign will fit from f-body the accesories are all spaced differently. I say have a machine shop make you a bracket to move the alternator or get a smaller one. On the ac compressor you might be able to use a truck one and bracket and change the pully's up I have one laying around if you need any measurements etc or if you need some parts to test fit I can send em to you I have a bunch of odds and ends you can borrow to help you figure stuff out.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

09-27-2005, 09:13 AM	#20
guyryan100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 484	Keep in mind that alternator will one day need replacing and you're not going to want to pull the front clip and engine to change the alternator!!

09-27-2005, 09:45 AM	#21
Americanrider Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NW, WA. Posts: 1,421	any help here? http://www.classicperform.com/tech_a...ngine-Swap.htm

09-27-2005, 10:10 AM	#23
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Hang in there and take your time deciding the best fix for this problem. I ran into so many unexpected problems with my swap but with time and thought, everything will work out. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

09-27-2005, 09:13 PM	#24
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,772	I have no specific advice to your swap, but I also wanted to add that remember whatever you come up with, just make sure it will fit with the front clip back on. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

09-27-2005, 09:33 PM	#25
FuelCellGuy FUEL CELL GURU Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Mineola, Texas Posts: 993	Here's my solution to a similar problem with the LT1 swap I did in my 68. I notched both sides of my frame to clear the factory compressor and the York air ride compressor. Hope this helps. Later, Mark Attached Images

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.