"Sweet Pea" 1975 Cheyenne 20

[layinrocker65]

To me, the Delmo kit is “affordable” based on all the components you get. But that is all a matter of opinion like anything else.

My fuel setup is dual efi tanks, to a pollak valve with efi rated soft line, to a corvette fuel filter regulator with soft line, to the rails with a single braided line. I previously tried using the stock carb tank stuff and pulling the fuel through them with an external pump but the fittings on the carb stuff were too small and caused pressure issues. The Holley drop in stuff wasn’t available then

I’m local to you. Just shoot me a pm if you want to talk about it.

[Factory Guy]

Originally Posted by ShortHaul

I appreciate all the comments in here guys! Part of me agrees with each different statement and point of view...

Here's my reasoning behind pursuing the LS swap... This truck is my DD/multi use pickup... I commute to work in it (60 miles round trip, although not daily... firefighter's schedule) I use it to haul my dirtbike to trails, tracks etc, sometimes 60-100 miles round trip... I use it to go cut firewood on the national forest, (200 miles round trip) so its much more than just an "around town" cruiser, or trips to the hardware store and back... This places a high priority on reliability, driveability and also brings MPG into the equation. I have 3 "classic" vehicles in the fleet right now (62 Impala, 75 C20 and 75 Burb) so this one has to be fully functional as a usable anytime anyplace vehicle, it has to carry its weight if you will.

The 350 is original, and has 88xxx miles... it has only let me down once in over 11K miles of ownership, and that was a simple fuel pump issue... however I feel like it's not going to last forever. There is a ton of gunk and corrosion in the block, whether that's from the radiator or the block itself, I'm not sure. She smokes a bit on start up, The carb (original Q-jet) is finicky, even though I've recently rebuilt it... She's a pain to start when she's hot and let's be honest... the 1975 "Hi Torque" 350 with 4 Barrel put out a whopping 160 hp/250tq WHEN NEW! So its not like I'm yanking out a numbers matching Z28/302 here... And to make matters worse, the previous owner went nuts with a can of black spray paint under the hood before he sold it, dousing every surface he could find... so the "original look" appeal is kinda shot as well... I do place some value in keeping things original, but more so when that originality is worthy of saving. And in this case I'm leaning towards function over originality.

Having a 4th gear would be very helpful for the highway hauls. She does ok, but 60mph on CA freeways feels like you're standing still!

The overall cost of the LS swap I had planned was coming in at right around $5500. I know it can be done cheaper, and I know you can easily spend twice that on the LS motor alone.

Considering other options out there... such as rebuild the 350, crate sbc, going EFI, swap in a 700r4 or a gear vendors... most of them come relatively close to the cost of the LS swap, and most only solve a portion of the problem.

So when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of it, the LSx/4lxxE swap still makes the most sense to me...

I hear you.

Like yourself my truck originally born in Cali had (I believe) 155hp when new some 48 years ago. And the 3 speed and 4:11 gears are not highway friendly.

The only change I would make to your proposed set up would be to get the 4L80E trans. Since you have a 3/4 ton/heavy duty truck I would go with the 4L80E trans.

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by layinrocker65

To me, the Delmo kit is “affordable” based on all the components you get. But that is all a matter of opinion like anything else.

My fuel setup is dual efi tanks, to a pollak valve with efi rated soft line, to a corvette fuel filter regulator with soft line, to the rails with a single braided line. I previously tried using the stock carb tank stuff and pulling the fuel through them with an external pump but the fittings on the carb stuff were too small and caused pressure issues. The Holley drop in stuff wasn’t available then

I’m local to you. Just shoot me a pm if you want to talk about it.

Yes I’d love to get a first hand look at your rig. I had been leaning towards the ‘87 tanks and walbro 255’s… but after seeing the Holley drop in setups with the hydramat I’m liking that even more. My tanks are fine on the inside, so real reason to swap them out if I can help it. I’ll pm you and hopefully we can meet up sometime soon… (FYI Penngrove cars n coffee is every 4th Sunday)

Originally Posted by Factory Guy

I hear you.

Like yourself my truck originally born in Cali had (I believe) 155hp when new some 48 years ago. And the 3 speed and 4:11 gears are not highway friendly.

The only change I would make to your proposed set up would be to get the 4L80E trans. Since you have a 3/4 ton/heavy duty truck I would go with the 4L80E trans.

Good call… It’s definitely one of those “if you’re going to the trouble, you might as well” scenarios… 4l80e isn’t much more expensive and in the long run it’ll be a far better trans…

[LT7A]

Originally Posted by ShortHaul

I appreciate all the comments in here guys! Part of me agrees with each different statement and point of view...

Here's my reasoning behind pursuing the LS swap... This truck is my DD/multi use pickup... I commute to work in it (60 miles round trip, although not daily... firefighter's schedule) I use it to haul my dirtbike to trails, tracks etc, sometimes 60-100 miles round trip... I use it to go cut firewood on the national forest, (200 miles round trip) so its much more than just an "around town" cruiser, or trips to the hardware store and back... This places a high priority on reliability, driveability and also brings MPG into the equation. I have 3 "classic" vehicles in the fleet right now (62 Impala, 75 C20 and 75 Burb) so this one has to be fully functional as a usable anytime anyplace vehicle, it has to carry its weight if you will.

The 350 is original, and has 88xxx miles... it has only let me down once in over 11K miles of ownership, and that was a simple fuel pump issue... however I feel like it's not going to last forever. There is a ton of gunk and corrosion in the block, whether that's from the radiator or the block itself, I'm not sure. She smokes a bit on start up, The carb (original Q-jet) is finicky, even though I've recently rebuilt it... She's a pain to start when she's hot and let's be honest... the 1975 "Hi Torque" 350 with 4 Barrel put out a whopping 160 hp/250tq WHEN NEW! So its not like I'm yanking out a numbers matching Z28/302 here... And to make matters worse, the previous owner went nuts with a can of black spray paint under the hood before he sold it, dousing every surface he could find... so the "original look" appeal is kinda shot as well... I do place some value in keeping things original, but more so when that originality is worthy of saving. And in this case I'm leaning towards function over originality.

Having a 4th gear would be very helpful for the highway hauls. She does ok, but 60mph on CA freeways feels like you're standing still!

The overall cost of the LS swap I had planned was coming in at right around $5500. I know it can be done cheaper, and I know you can easily spend twice that on the LS motor alone.

Considering other options out there... such as rebuild the 350, crate sbc, going EFI, swap in a 700r4 or a gear vendors... most of them come relatively close to the cost of the LS swap, and most only solve a portion of the problem.

So when it comes down to the nuts and bolts of it, the LSx/4lxxE swap still makes the most sense to me...

I think this part adds essential information to your picture. As much as I enjoy my old rigs, I think I would want to have a modern vehicle or at least a modern drivetrain available to daily drive. I think I would be inclined more toward a gear vendors add or a transmission swap and then a throttle body tucked under the the air cleaner. And I don't think you need to assume that 350 is on its way out. But there's no changing the fact that the LS has benefited from decades of design improvements. Rather than trying to make it look old school, I would consider pulling the existing transmission, cleaning it and putting it on a shelf, pulling the existing motor, cleaning and painting it up and putting it on a stand. And then I would install the new combo with an eye toward uninstalling it when it came time to return the truck to stock and it was no longer needed for daily driving duties. That way, you don't have to hide wires and stuff things up under the dash. I would let it look like you put a modern drivetrain in a vintage rig and run it and enjoy it. There may come a day that you'll be ready to retire it from daily use and you'll be glad you still have the old parts on a shelf.

[Wikid61]

Like^^

[ShortHaul]

Welll... some things happened over the new year break.

This beauty followed me home.
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Hauled the ol 350 out.
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Did a bit of degreasing and general crud reduction...
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Aaaaaannnnnnd... wait for it...

In with the new!
Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

6.0L/4L80e sourced from LSX_Shack, out of a 2002 2500HD with about 130k miles. Factory harness prepped for "turnkey" installation with base tune from LSX_Shack. Set up for Drive by cable. It's bone stock and I plan to keep it that way. I know you can get a ton of performance out of a cam and springs, but honestly I have no need to hot rod this thing. I'll be nearly doubling the HP and TQ output with the stock 6.0 alone...

So far my parts list is minimal... I have the Engine mount brackets from ICT Billet, and bought a ebay aluminum radiator with dual electric fans. Tons more work to come with the wiring, cooling, gauges, exhaust, etc etc... I'll be sure to post my parts list and progress as things take shape. WISH ME LUCK!

[Palf70Step]

Nice!!

[palposity]

Beautiful Truck! Excellent work!

[ShortHaul]

Parts are starting to arrive...

Got my exhaust manifolds in. Went with Summit Brand cast iron, ceramic coated black. Basically Summit's version of the popular Hooker CI manifolds. Paid $280 and they came with the hardware, and exhaust stubs with O2 sensor bungs welded in. Fitment is great. Easy to install, good clearance on the frame, but I'll have to lop the ear off the 4l80e on the driver's side.

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[Eyegore]

Nice!!!
How would they have fit if it was an AC truck?

[layinrocker65]

Looks great! You are going to fall in love with the truck again once this is done. You have a time line for completion? What gauges are you going to run? Changing the rear gear?

Originally Posted by Eyegore

Nice!!!
How would they have fit if it was an AC truck?

They would fit great.

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by Eyegore

Nice!!!
How would they have fit if it was an AC truck?

In terms of the AC compressor? Far as I know that sits forward of the manifolds... but can't say for sure. No AC in the plans here.

Originally Posted by layinrocker65

Looks great! You are going to fall in love with the truck again once this is done. You have a time line for completion? What gauges are you going to run? Changing the rear gear?

They would fit great.

I need to pick your brain on fuel systems! That's been my biggest hang up so far.

Timeline is ASAP. It's parked and taking up valuable driveway space until she's running again!
Gauges I plan to run stock for now. Dakota's are badass I just don't have the budget for it right now. Far as I know the tricky gauge to convert is the speedo
Gears I planned on keeping them stock. I figure the 4th/OD will help me out on the highway.

[ShortHaul]

I posted a thread related to my fuel system conundrum here if anybody has some sage wisdom they'd like to impart...

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=829588

[layinrocker65]

Originally Posted by ShortHaul

I posted a thread related to my fuel system conundrum here if anybody has some sage wisdom they'd like to impart...

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=829588

There are a lot of ways of skin that cat. I wouldn’t worry about the return rails while running a returnless system. I run a returnless system with 2 efi tanks with a pollock valve to a corvette fuel regulator with a return rail. You just have to cap off the return on the rail which in essence makes it a returnless rail.

When I did my swap 10yrs ago, Holley didn’t have units for the stock tanks. I originally did a walbro 255 pulling through the stock sender with a new return but ended up switching to the efi tanks to get an internal pump. The 255 pumps are really noisy in my opinion. I ran stock gm replacement pumps in the efi tanks. I can’t remember which pumps though. I absolutely hate hearing the wine of a fuel pump.

[Rich84]

The pump is the EP381. 1987 sending unit in a 1987 tank. I can only hear it prime.

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by Rich84

The pump is the EP381. 1987 sending unit in a 1987 tank. I can only hear it prime.

Copy. Thanks for the intel.

[ShortHaul]

Got the Trans mounted properly. Stock crossmember, relocated about 5" rear of stock location. Energy Suspension Poly mount, PN 3.1158G. M10x1.5 grade 10.9 bolts into 4l80e tailhousing.

Untitled by awesome_adawson, on Flickr

[Joe Pass]

I figured you went LS when I saw the SB for sale on Craigslist...lol

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by Joe Pass

I figured you went LS when I saw the SB for sale on Craigslist...lol

yup… sold that thing quick. Local kid wanted it for his 86 4x4.

[TrybalRage]

Originally Posted by Eyegore

Nice!!!
How would they have fit if it was an AC truck?

I have the same ones in my 85 with factory AC and they fit fine. Tejas mounts in my build.

[ShortHaul]

Making some progress… got the trans shift linkage all hooked up. Lokar ACA-1800. A little tricky mounting everything up to shift smooth… had to make a few bends in the rod, but overall pretty slick! Also mounted trans cooler and -6AN lines to the trans. Working on mounting the radiator and hooking up the power steering lines next.

[Factory Guy]

Sweet! I think you were wise to do the conversion to the LS, better drive-ability, reliability and the like. I will probably do the same to mine some day, as mine is even slower than yours probably was with a 155hp when new some 50 years ago and now she is starting to burn some oil. So I am just putting off the inevitable.

The old engine in my case will probably just get stuffed in the corner along with the trans, for the future.

Any way I was playing around with my gauges and thought I would pass on my idea for my future Digital speedo. After reading LS171nova write up I decided to try my own for a digital conversion. The stock S-10 digital speedo lines up really well with the stock Squarebody Speedo (as seen in the photo below the S-10 gauge is behind the face of the Squarebody speedo-even to mounting holes line up!). Both speedo's are 0-100mph. The only area that really needs work is in the odometer cut out. I don't know why but Dakota Digital gauges just don't look right to me.

LS171nova link is

67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=512751

[Factory Guy]

Originally Posted by ShortHaul

I need to pick your brain on fuel systems! That's been my biggest hang up so far.

Timeline is ASAP. It's parked and taking up valuable driveway space until she's running again!
Gauges I plan to run stock for now. Dakota's are badass I just don't have the budget for it right now. Far as I know the tricky gauge to convert is the speedo
Gears I planned on keeping them stock. I figure the 4th/OD will help me out on the highway.

This link below might help in regards to your dual fuel tanks. All of the parts you need, appear to be on rock auto, the pollock valves I understand now come in an AC Delco box as I guess GM no longer makes them. Just get a 1987 truck year valve, as it was built for the higher pressures of EFI.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754061

I am just starting to research all of this myself.

[Factory Guy]

Another idea on your digital speedo:

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...=1#post9021849

[ShortHaul]

Originally Posted by Factory Guy

Sweet! I think you were wise to do the conversion to the LS, better drive-ability, reliability and the like. I will probably do the same to mine some day, as mine is even slower than yours probably was with a 155hp when new some 50 years ago and now she is starting to burn some oil. So I am just putting off the inevitable.

The old engine in my case will probably just get stuffed in the corner along with the trans, for the future.

Any way I was playing around with my gauges and thought I would pass on my idea for my future Digital speedo. After reading LS171nova write up I decided to try my own for a digital conversion. The stock S-10 digital speedo lines up really well with the stock Squarebody Speedo (as seen in the photo below the S-10 gauge is behind the face of the Squarebody speedo-even to mounting holes line up!). Both speedo's are 0-100mph. The only area that really needs work is in the odometer cut out. I don't know why but Dakota Digital gauges just don't look right to me.

LS171nova link is

67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=512751

Originally Posted by Factory Guy

This link below might help in regards to your dual fuel tanks. All of the parts you need, appear to be on rock auto, the pollock valves I understand now come in an AC Delco box as I guess GM no longer makes them. Just get a 1987 truck year valve, as it was built for the higher pressures of EFI.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754061

I am just starting to research all of this myself.

Originally Posted by Factory Guy

Another idea on your digital speedo:

https://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vbo...=1#post9021849

Hey Factory Guy! I was hoping you'd chime in over here. Yeah I finally bit the bullet and am plugging away at the swap.

Fuel system: I assume you've read through that separate thread I created on the subject... I will admit I've been struck with Paralysis by Analysis on the fuel issue. I've read that dual tank thread by Hatzie front to back... I'm familiar with the Pollack EFI rated 6 port switch valve, I guess I am just not 100% comfortable with that setup. I know the valve is "rated" for 65 psi, its more the thought of 6 fuel lines, held in place by hose clamps, up under the truck just leaves me uneasy. Compared to a set of nice stout An-6 fittings leading directly to the fuel rail. I just can't shake the feeling that something in that valve, or the switch and its wiring will eventually fail.

On to the gauges... I too feel that the Dakota's are a little out of place in our style of trucks. The newest offering they make looks pretty darn close to original, but at $1500 its a heavy cost. The s10 gauge conversion looks awesome... but i'll be honest its out of my "arts and crafts" ability.

The other link you posted had my head absolutely spinning until the very last post. I'm far more inclined to go with the dakota digital to mechanical converter. It's not cheap, but at a 3rd of the cost of a full set of Dakotas, plus you can keep the original look, and an hour install tops... that's probably my go-to. I've already purchased the temp and oil pressure sender conversion pieces, I'm fairly comitted to keeping the stock gauges (unless a set of Dakota's happen to be under my xmas tree one year lol)

Anways, glad to have you checking in here... I'll be posting as often as I make progress.