Project Green Bean '74 C10 to K10

[LEEVON]

The brake pedal swap wasn't straight-forward at all. First the rod end on the booster is metric but the brake pedal end is SAE. And the pushrod on the manual and auto pedal have different ID's on the eyelet. So after some head-scratching I ordered some metric couplers and welded one end to the rod, which I had to enlarge the hole on. Phew, thought that was a pain. Then I realized my brake switch was still a good 1" from engagement...so I adapted the bracket with an adjustable "stop". Problem solved, brakes now work and feel like factory power brake system.

[1972CST]

Your making all this look easy... great progress!!

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by 1972CST

Your making all this look easy... great progress!!

Thanks! It takes more brain energy / thought time getting the details figured than it does working time IMO.

Radiator and cooling fans are in. Stock 1987 454 radiator with two 1250cfm SPAL fans, stock cooler lines for a 700r4 K10, one hose is corvette and the other Camaro. I put a fitting in the un-used heater outlet for the LS steam vent. And how about that Tejas Steelworks fan shroud and their PCM fender mount!

TV cable for the 700r4 is done, it took some head scratching and math. But after I modified the stock 5.3 throttle bracket to accept the square boss on the cable it all came together. I flipped the arm on the throttle body that went to I don't know what on the stock truck but fits the cable end perfectly. The trick was matching up the TV cable pull length with the throttle. Then going through several throttle cables to get the correct configuration. I am happy with the outcome.

I am almost completely out of details...need to get the air intake figured. The custom engine harness should arrive tomorrow, I'm hoping to see this run by Friday. It won't be able to go anywhere though pending the rear differential rebuild (it's still out).

[LEEVON]

The harness arrived today and has been approved by my assistant so naturally the shop is extremely busy and I am pushing my junk out to the back row while we work on the important stuff...money makers not money takers!

[LEEVON]

Well, we did the initial engine fire and she runs and sounds great, came to life with a flick of the key no hesitation. I have a couple of loose ends before I can let it run to operating temp, check for leaks and such. I am also still missing my rear end so I threw a junk unit under there so I could mount wheels and roll it out. Speaking of wheels...I am in love with these US Mag Indy U101 in 17x9. With the BFG K02's in 35's of course, white letters out per square body law. Give me a few days and I'll have a running/driving video update! And check out this minty tailgate.

[LEEVON]

I am dying to get it outside and washed up.

[Shifty One]

Looks good!

[Rickysnickers]

Nice!!!

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Shifty One

Looks good!

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Nice!!!

Thanks!

I am so close to whipping this thing down the road I can taste it. The rear differential is done, it ended up needing a new gear set and of course the new posi unit. It already had new bearings and seals, saved a couple dollars there. After bolting that up, I realized that my driveshaft should have had a conversion u-joint on it so I am waiting on that to be done.

In the meantime I threw a rear bumper on and took some "glamor shots". I also picked up the powder coated front brackets and such to put the grill back together. It still hasn't been cleaned except me wiping down a few spots.

Tomorrow, after the driveshaft is installed, I will haul her down to the exhaust shop so that can be completed and then we can plug in the o2 sensors and do some test driving.

[LEEVON]

Big day for Green Bean. Also, I ordered some 5" blocks for the rear, instead of 4", I think it needs to come up a hair. Don't want anyone confusing me with them squatted truck boys.

[LEEVON]

My exhaust guy is the best, he also has a few cool old trucks. I said make it like the '70's...he says I was there man, I got you! Pair of turbo mufflers and skinny rolled tips straight out the back. It is relatively quiet, sounds like an old man truck. I doubt anyone would guess LS swap based on anything about the look or sound.

[Shifty One]

Aw hell that looks great!

[Rickysnickers]

Looks great! As an aside, we bought a house in MO, just outside of Laurie, MO. Won't be there permanently for some time though

[Shark_13]

Beautiful!

[LEEVON]

Originally Posted by Shifty One

Aw hell that looks great!

Thank you sir

Originally Posted by Rickysnickers

Looks great! As an aside, we bought a house in MO, just outside of Laurie, MO. Won't be there permanently for some time though

Congrats! The lake life! There is a nice little cruise / show at Osage Beach. Welcome to Missouri.

Originally Posted by Shark_13

Beautiful!

Hat's off

I brought the truck home Friday after the exhaust shop so I could re-assemble the front end with some freshly powder-coated parts. That was very satisfying. There is something about a clean core support and everything associated with that. All the lights work as well! I also did the wamrods hinge strut conversion, that is pretty slick.

I dedided to take it for a maiden voyage...and there is still a lot of work to do. Probably clogged injectors from sitting, and the whole truck sounds like it's rattling apart, chassis and body. Ughhh I dislike the shakedown phase!

[Shark_13]

What are you running for tire pressure?

Coming from the Jeep world, after a balance/rotate they usually put 35-40psi n and it ride like a wood wheeled wagon lol.

Drop back down to 26 and everything was happy again.