El Rancho: 55 1st, S10 Frame, LS1, 4L60E - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

steve aleve · 11-06-2014, 11:54 AM

So here is the beginning of my journey... I've been working on the truck for about 2 years and am only now starting a build thread. I will catch things up in the next few days along with progress photos etc. I am doing this for multiple reasons, I believe it will help motivate me to keep going, I have a lot of questions and hopefully can get some answers, and I am sure others are doing the same and maybe it can help them too.

Here we go!

ChuckDriver · 11-06-2014, 12:56 PM

Sounds like a cool build, so let's see some pics ASAP!

steve aleve · 11-21-2014, 12:43 PM

So here are some pictures to catch up a bit. Currently I have a 4" drop axle underneath the truck with 3" blocks in the rear. The original 235 6 cyl is still in the truck. The reason I chose to do the swap is because I want to drive this thing a whole lot more than I currently do. I want power brakes, power steering, the reliability of fuel injection and the power/ wow factor of the LS engine. I chose to go the s10 route because I also wanted to keep the truck running/rolling while I did a lot of this in fear that I would loose interest and would end up with a junkyard full of parts.

The truck as she sits now...

The frame next to the truck just shortly after I picked it up....

The "rolling frame" headed to my house to get some work done...

In my garage...

The 5.3 power plant awaiting a 4L60E...

I now pronounce them Mr. and Mrs....

Working on getting the engine and trans placed on the frame...

Not mounted but just mocked up..

Motor mounts in the works...

steve aleve · 11-21-2014, 12:47 PM

Now I know that this may not be the best way to work but I have seen quite a few projects with the s10 frame and the LS engine and I understand that clearance up front is super tight. I have looked at what everyone has done and I am planning on shifting the engine back a hair from any that I have seen. My thoughts are that it would be easy to cut and fab a recessed firewall but if there is not enough clearance up front... you are up a creek. I have ensured that the PS pump and PS box have clearance, the manifolds clear pretty well..

steve aleve · 03-10-2015, 11:24 AM

So I haven't posted in a while but I've been around. Just a bit of an update...

finally got the engine started for the first time. A bit rough, I had some exhaust leaks and vacuum leaks but it was a successful day.
http://youtu.be/o0T7nx_A7R4

Here is one just a week later once all of the air was out of the lines etc.
http://youtu.be/C2HLgiFoXOE

11-06-2014, 11:54 AM	#1
steve aleve Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 187	El Rancho: 55 1st, S10 Frame, LS1, 4L60E So here is the beginning of my journey... I've been working on the truck for about 2 years and am only now starting a build thread. I will catch things up in the next few days along with progress photos etc. I am doing this for multiple reasons, I believe it will help motivate me to keep going, I have a lot of questions and hopefully can get some answers, and I am sure others are doing the same and maybe it can help them too. Here we go!

11-06-2014, 12:56 PM	#2
ChuckDriver A320 Pilot/USAF Retired Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 2,629	Re: El Rancho: 55 1st, S10 Frame, LS1, 4L60E Sounds like a cool build, so let's see some pics ASAP! __________________ JJ My 1957 build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=334552 http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22037 Instagram - Chuckdriver57

11-21-2014, 12:43 PM	#3
steve aleve Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 187	Re: El Rancho: 55 1st, S10 Frame, LS1, 4L60E So here are some pictures to catch up a bit. Currently I have a 4" drop axle underneath the truck with 3" blocks in the rear. The original 235 6 cyl is still in the truck. The reason I chose to do the swap is because I want to drive this thing a whole lot more than I currently do. I want power brakes, power steering, the reliability of fuel injection and the power/ wow factor of the LS engine. I chose to go the s10 route because I also wanted to keep the truck running/rolling while I did a lot of this in fear that I would loose interest and would end up with a junkyard full of parts. The truck as she sits now... The frame next to the truck just shortly after I picked it up.... The "rolling frame" headed to my house to get some work done... In my garage... The 5.3 power plant awaiting a 4L60E... I now pronounce them Mr. and Mrs.... Working on getting the engine and trans placed on the frame... Not mounted but just mocked up.. Motor mounts in the works...

11-21-2014, 12:47 PM	#4
steve aleve Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 187	Re: El Rancho: 55 1st, S10 Frame, LS1, 4L60E Now I know that this may not be the best way to work but I have seen quite a few projects with the s10 frame and the LS engine and I understand that clearance up front is super tight. I have looked at what everyone has done and I am planning on shifting the engine back a hair from any that I have seen. My thoughts are that it would be easy to cut and fab a recessed firewall but if there is not enough clearance up front... you are up a creek. I have ensured that the PS pump and PS box have clearance, the manifolds clear pretty well..

03-10-2015, 11:24 AM	#5
steve aleve Registered User Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Albuquerque New Mexico Posts: 187	Re: El Rancho: 55 1st, S10 Frame, LS1, 4L60E So I haven't posted in a while but I've been around. Just a bit of an update... finally got the engine started for the first time. A bit rough, I had some exhaust leaks and vacuum leaks but it was a successful day. http://youtu.be/o0T7nx_A7R4 Here is one just a week later once all of the air was out of the lines etc. http://youtu.be/C2HLgiFoXOE



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