1965 LWB Stepside Build

[roll_the_dice]

Hopefully the writeup below will help someone in the future. If you have questions, ask here or send me a PM and I would be more than happy to help. Pictures are below also if you want to skip the semi DIY...

Also as an FYI, this worked for me because I have to get my drive shaft shortened anyway...so it was no big deal.

Got the perches installed and the engine moved this morning. Was not as hard as I had anticipated. We supported the engine from underneath with a jack and a 2x6 and the transmission with another jack and 2x6.

I removed the bolts for the trans crossmember to the frame and the engine mount and perch on one side only...kind of did it like a motor mount swap except we had to get the perches and trans crossmember bolts out.

I took the perch and mount out of the drivers side and installed the new motor mount to the engine, then slid the perch in and loosely bolted it to the mount. Then did the same to the other side.

I had originally thought we would roll the engine and trans forward with the jacks, but my friend Carl had a brilliant idea. While both trans crossmember and engine perches were supported above the frame, we rolled the frame back the 2 1/2". Was so easy and worked great.

The bolt holes lined up easily and we dropped the bolts and washer down into the frame and put the nuts on the underside so it wouldn't move...then did the same to the other side. Torqued everything up and was good to go.

The engine looks so much better moved 2 1/2" forward...not close to the firewall at all anymore. The rams horn will fit easily now and I don't have to worry about the HEI distributor touching the firewall.

I still need to drill new holes for the trans crossmember and bolt it back in place. I also want to clean up the frame where the OEM perches were and paint, but that is easy. All in all not a bad swap and looks great IMO.

[roll_the_dice]

Test fit the exhaust manifolds today...look good...just ned to run the plug wires a little better.

[350TacoZilla]

Looking good man, keep up the good work and that thing will be done in no time.

I remember years ago seeing a truck with the plug wires under the manifolds on a rams horn setup like yours. I think he made a bracket that bolted to the back of the heads that the wires were secured to with the universal clamp style hold downs.

[cwcarpenter98]

Here's how I ran my plug wires. Stock ram horns, but same idea.
I use factory replacement plug wires for a 77 corvette. Still works with the stock ramhorns, but 8mm for the HEI dizzy

Your's is looking great!

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Here's how I ran my plug wires. Stock ram horns, but same idea.
I use factory replacement plug wires for a 77 corvette. Still works with the stock ramhorns, but 8mm for the HEI dizzy

Your's is looking great!

Thanks Christian...appreciate the pictures. I did a little research and I may go with 135 degree or straight plug boots instead of the 90's..like this.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

Thanks Christian...appreciate the pictures. I did a little research and I may go with 135 degree or straight plug boots instead of the 90's..like this.

What wires did you end up going with so they didn't give you RF interference?

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

What wires did you end up going with so they didn't give you RF interference?

I ended up using MSD 31199. I bought them from Napa...they were a little cheaper than anyone else.

[88Stanger]

So as i mentioned earlier, i have the FiTech Power Adder EFI system that i tired some time ago and after a short run with it, i moved over to a full blown out LS motor (This is in my 1969 C10). But, after reading your posts and a few others, i think that i am going to go with the Holly 4150 EFI kit. Few reasons are customer service and working knowledge of the company, ease of use and maintenance, looks and well if i am going to do this i want to install a spot in the customer center console to store the little computer interface module so i can see the parameter of what is going on at any time. I only want to do this once, and the Fitech and Holly units are not the same. So, God willing my Harley sells this Friday (hate it but due to past back and neck issues, it must go) i will have the extra funds to just buy the unit. I have the EFI pump in the tank already, so..... Fuel regulator and off i go.... LOL

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

What wires did you end up going with so they didn't give you RF interference?

I forgot to ask...are you having RF or other issues with your FiTech?

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by roll_the_dice

I forgot to ask...are you having RF or other issues with your FiTech?

Not that I know of. I just wanted to know what wires you went with so when I need new wires what to look for so I don't have issues.

Thanks

I really haven't had an issues with my fitech, but if I was to purchase again, I wouldn't buy fitech. They have let too many people down.

[roll_the_dice]

Finally ordered my shifter a few weeks ago. It was "delivered" last Friday, but I never received it. I thought someone had stolen it from my front porch (which happened last year with some packages). I called Fedex and the shipper, but I didn't think much would happen because it was "delivered". This morning on my front porch was a box...My Lokar 16" shifter arrived one week later...I assume it was delivered to a wrong address and the person finally brought it over? Not sure why it took a week, but at least I have it!

I have had this vintage Indian Motorcycle shift knob for years waiting to install in the truck. So I tried the knob on the shifter...perfect thread match. I had done research on the threads and that is one of the main reason I chose the Lokar shifter...it matched perfectly without an adapter.

I didn't even get the entire shifter out of the package before I snapped a picture! I think it is going to look even better installed!

[roll_the_dice]

Got my power steering lines connected this week. Going to try and fire up the engine for the first time this weekend! Should be an awesome weekend.

[RDrancher]

Following along on a great build. And thanks for the trans crossmember link.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by RDrancher

Following along on a great build. And thanks for the trans crossmember link.

Thanks, I appreciate you following along. You are welcome on the trans crossmember. I really like it...and think it was reasonably priced and was plug and play. I also had tons of questions for them before I bought and they answered them all!

[roll_the_dice]

Trying to get the engine started...got it started once, but can't get it again. Trying to diagnose/figure out the FiTech EFI is a lot of information. Once I can get it started and can start it easily, I will start putting it back together...hope to be driving it before the enf of the year.

[350TacoZilla]

I'm sure you'll figure it out man but 2 things I commonly check over are make sure you have plenty of ground wires (motor to frame,motor to cab etc) and check fuel pressure as close to the injection unit as possible. I had a friend chasing problem for week or more only to find out he had a block in a fitting after the gauge.

[Captainfab]

Hopefully you haven't hurt the cam and lifters.

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by 350TacoZilla

I'm sure you'll figure it out man but 2 things I commonly check over are make sure you have plenty of ground wires (motor to frame,motor to cab etc) and check fuel pressure as close to the injection unit as possible. I had a friend chasing problem for week or more only to find out he had a block in a fitting after the gauge.

Thanks...I bought and added new grounds and battery cables...so I have that. I checked fuel pressure and it is good. I have been doing a tone of research and reading...I think I about have it figured out. I think it is in the cranking fuel settings...

[roll_the_dice]

Got the engine started today! Was not getting enough air...I still need to adjust that, but got it going. So excited.

[Captainfab]

Were you able to immediately run the cam break in?

[roll_the_dice]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Were you able to immediately run the cam break in?

When I bought the engine, I paid extra to have that done. They offered it as a service. So no worries. Was worth it to me to have it done.

[roll_the_dice]

Finally got back to the truck ...installed the Brake booster bracket, booster, and MC. We are supposed to get more storms today, but if not, will try to get on the hydraulic clutch MC and connect to the clutch pedal.

[cwcarpenter98]

Looking good! I was missing seeing updates on your truck. Glad to see that you've been putting some work in on it

[roll_the_dice]

Thanks Christian...good to be back. I got the proportioning valve installed before online Church this morning...now it is raining, so at least I got something done today.

[roll_the_dice]

I also forgot...right before all this started happening I got my seat recovered. It has been ready for a few weeks, but it is in SC and I haven't been able to go pick it up yet. Hopefully soon. I love the seat...will get better pictured when I actually get it...but it has a hint of green in the perforations of the seat. The person who did it also sandblasted the frame and painted it black before putting new foam on and making sure the slide feature worked as it should as well.