1969 c10 fleets idea 5.3 ls swap with 4l60e!!!!

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Hello to all. I am going to post some pics of my build. I am currently about to start sanding and painting Fram and crossmember. I will post pictures of prior and or current and will make a parts list as well.

NOT INSTALLED YET:
5.3 ls
4L60E
early classics crossmember
Early classics ls mounts and towers
Wait4meperformance tune and moded harness
painted valve covers by urs truly
current performance ceramic coated headers
classic parts body and radiator mounts

ORIGINAL:
inline 6
3 spd column shift

I had to remove the trans crossmember that was riveted in. Let me start with that is a horrible design however nothing a air Hamer and chisel couldnt take care of. I also pulled the front clip to make easier access. I am currently looking for power brakes and power steering box as well as a stock auto steering column. As of now this is where I am.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Here is a few

[Tennessee Bowtie]

A few more. Also can anyone tell me y my pic were sidways.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

This crossmember was a b****.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Only did this post to have post number 69!

[brad_man_72]

Id paint he rest of the engine too. Corroded aluminum isn't pretty. Makes the plastic easier to clean also.
A current pic and 5 years ago

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Does anybody know how to change title my phone auto corrected fleetside

[GoaterAz]

Originally Posted by Tennessee Bowtie

This crossmember was a b****.

I am in the process of removing this crossmember, as well.

How did you get the upper, rear rivets out?

I'm pretty sure I have enough room to grind/cut off the head, but I have no idea how I will pound it through. There is like 2" of room with the cab on haha.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Air hammer man. Air hammer. Go to harbor freights and get the long chisel set. Works wonders. After the head is off I jammed the air hammer in between the Fram and crossmember and it pushed the rivets out. I had to cure one end though to get it out. If u decide to cut It just cut on the middle make it easy on ur self.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Wire brushed and painted today. Hopefully tomorrow motor will be getting dropped in.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

So i used the paint and rust remover disc and i also used a wire brush on frame and i can tell u thst the wore brush is definitly the way to go. Tomorrow will be installing mounts and trans crossmember.

[Heylookitsdylan]

What paint did you use? Did you prime it as well?

[Blown06]

That's a clean truck man. Gonna enjoy watching this project.

[Lees68GMC]

So my truck went from Old Blues dirt ball 307, to a later model 4 bolt 350 & Turbo 400, to a 2005 Vortec 5.3 & 4L65E. My buddy Tim is a one man wrecking crew, he does these Vortec conversions in days, all by himself essentially and the work is great - Lee

[SierraMtns]

Very nice. Which brake master are you running?

[Tennessee Bowtie]

I need a brake booster as well. But anyhow I got some progress today.

[Lees68GMC]

2001 Chevy S10 Dual Diaphragm & proportioning valve for Disc front, Drum rear, from U-pickit. Really challenging inside, we built new pivot point and pedal support structure over the steering column, under dash to use a 75 C10 brake pedal complete, it was a pain. The up shot is you can practically stand the truck on it's nose when you really slam on the brakes, Stops like Right Now!

[Tennessee Bowtie]

My he add ers are sanderson headers sorry early I said current performance. That is who I bought them from.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Header pic and clearance. Also a pic of some crazy 45 ammo.

[DWilbur]

what brand of header are you using.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Sanderson I got mine ceramic coated from current performance at like 400 shipped I think. They are really awesome.

[DWilbur]

What model number are they. I'm installing a 5.3 in my K20 having issues with the motor mount and what headers work. on C10 or C20 the engine mount hold the engine about 1.5" higher that what I have. I have a set of block hugger header that fit but I don't like the way they look. The Dough Thorley header look great but don't fit they are for C10 with different motor mount.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

I used early classic towers and mounts they r like 230 and their crossmember was like 90 and then sanderson headers and all fits great. http://www.currentperformance.com

[GoaterAz]

Originally Posted by Tennessee Bowtie

Air hammer man. Air hammer. Go to harbor freights and get the long chisel set. Works wonders. After the head is off I jammed the air hammer in between the Fram and crossmember and it pushed the rivets out. I had to cure one end though to get it out. If u decide to cut It just cut on the middle make it easy on ur self.

TN Bowtie, I wanted to say thanks! This really helped me out. I wouldn't have thought to wedge the air chisel between crossmember and the frame, I'd still be out there calling it the F word, haha.

This might all be second nature to some, but being my first build with limited tools/zero knowledge, this is all new to me and it's tips/tricks/advice like this that keep me coming back.

[Tennessee Bowtie]

Np man I am glade I could help. I think u are the first one I have helped on here. Is that a porter built drop member?