Family Project 65 C10 SWB "Old Blue"

[JamieGallien]

Some more work we did on the old truck this weekend. Disassembly and removal of the front clip. Took lots of pictures, mostly to remind me how everything goes...there a "little bit" of rust, and other things! It was a family event, roasted hot dogs and all.

[JamieGallien]

My son Tim helped clean up the rocker covers on the 5.3 Saturday morning. Looks super clean inside!

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Always nice to bring home new parts!!!

Yes it is! It's been a long time since I've been able to work on this old girl. I can't wait!

[JamieGallien]

So here's a question for the 60-66 aficionados...

I'm trying to decide whether to order adapter mounts for the 5.3 or use the original 5.3 mounts welded in. My question is this: if I order mounts, I know they are for a truck with original v8 mounts. Are these original v8 or 6 cylinder mounts?

[JamieGallien]

If I don't buy adapter mounts, I intent to weld the mounts from the silverado into the truck. I actually like the way the 5.3 mounts center and align the engine when you set the engine on them...

[JamieGallien]

Tim and Noah helped me cut off the old SBC headers last night since I'm using the stock manifolds on the 5.3. I still remember when I installed them 20 years ago. Several motors since then with those same headers. Talk about the end of an era! Lots of memories in this old truck!

[JamieGallien]

Removed the old motor mounts last night. Just eyeballing it looks like I can use the 04 Silverado mounts by welding them to the crossmember. I already had a 700-r4 in it, so I hope to place the 5/3/4L60 in the same spot as the old SBC and not have to modify my drive shaft. I'm going to hang the motor in the truck with the mounts and see how everything lines up...

[JamieGallien]

Went through the wiring harness last night checking for damaged wires/connectors, etc. Looks like I have a good one! Also sending out my pcm to the guys at lt1swaps.com to get a basic unlock done. We'll be putting our engine test stand together tonight, pics to come!

[JamieGallien]

Didn't get to do much on the truck this weekend, but we did put together the engine test stand. Amazon had it for half the price that I've seen elsewhere, but even at that price this thing was aggravating. In China it might be the norm, but in the U.S. we just don't expect to have to drill holes and re-engineer something when we buy it. Finally got it done and god dad's freshly picked 6.2 mounted on it so we can test it before installing it in his 83 K5 Blazer.

[JamieGallien]

Sent off my PCM to lt1swaps to unlock a base standalone program using the following specs:


-2004 5.3
-PCM matches as does the wiring harness, TAC, and gas pedal (DBW)
-Injectors 25326903
-4L60e Trans
-3.73 Rear
-Nitto 265/65/R18 31.5” tall
-No emissions
-Remove computer controlled a/c
-Stock MAF
-I want the fan controls, will be running a 185 t-stat
-VSS – stock 4l60E

Planning to push the body into the garage tonight and do some test fitting of the engine!

[JamieGallien]

Got dad's 6.2 on the test stand moved out of the way. Got the 5.3 on the lift with the load leveler. Turned around the right way and ready to install. It was pouring down rain last night, so we didn't get the truck in the garage yet. Hopefully we get a test fit tonight!

[1963c-10]

Nice progress. To answer the question on the original engine towers....the same towers were used on the 63-66 engines for the straight 6 as the v8. The only difference is the straight 6 used a clam shell attachment as well. I'm unsure as to mounting the 5.3 though. My experience is with straight 6 and big block engines.

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Nice progress. To answer the question on the original engine towers....the same towers were used on the 63-66 engines for the straight 6 as the v8. The only difference is the straight 6 used a clam shell attachment as well. I'm unsure as to mounting the 5.3 though. My experience is with straight 6 and big block engines.

Thanks and thanks for the info. I'm going to try welding in the 5.3 mounts right where I want them. If that doesn't work I go the adapter route and order a set of plates to reuse the old mounts.

[JamieGallien]

Got the old girl pushed into the garage and tried a test fit. It's been a long time since I've swapped motors and I keep having to re-remember stuff. Like turning the leveler the right way so I can actually turn the handle when the engine is up. And keeping the chains short so the leveler doesn't catch on the firewall. Yes. I had to take it back out twice to fix my chains, lol! Ran out of time this morning for a third try. Maybe tonight.

[JamieGallien]

I had read that the stock truck manifold wouldn't fit without cutting, and sure enough...

I really hate headers (leaks, etc) so I think I'm leaning toward the hooker cast iron LS manifolds. They look to be plenty tight enough to the block to clear my frame without cutting.

For now, I removed the manifolds so I can mock up the mounts and get them welded in. Maybe tonight?!

[1963c-10]

Can you trim the frame down with a grinder some. And install the manifolds once engine is in place? Or just too tight all the way around?

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Can you trim the frame down with a grinder some. And install the manifolds once engine is in place? Or just too tight all the way around?

If I modify the frame, it definitely won't be simple trimming. I'm looking at about 1" per side or 2" on the passenger side, depending on how the engine sits once it's all the way down.

I am going to try to install the manifold after I get the engine sitting where I want it, just to see if by some chance the truck manifold will work. It looks like it's going to be a no-go though.

[1963c-10]

I used a grinder after taping off the areas on my frame to trim. I installed a Gen IV big block though.....but was able to make it fit with 2" primary tubes. I removed around 1/2" - 3/4" where the headers pass the frame for my application. I would try the install the way you suggested and see if they will fit in from underneath before buying any other exhaust systems.

[JamieGallien]

Came home to find my wife cleaned the mud a road grime off one side of my front suspension! Don't know what got into her, but I like it!

Also mocked up the 04 Silverado mounts with the engine hanging where I want it. My dad is taking them to have them cut today, so maybe this evening we can see if this will be a weld job or a "order the adapters like everyone else does, dummy" job...

[1963c-10]

Some oven cleaner from the dollar store will help break the grime off the frame big time. Just make sure that it has the sodium hydroxide listed in the ingrediants on the back.

Spray on, soak and rinse.

[JamieGallien]

Originally Posted by 1963c-10

Some oven cleaner from the dollar store will help break the grime off the frame big time. Just make sure that it has the sodium hydroxide listed in the ingrediants on the back.

Spray on, soak and rinse.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try that on the rest of the engine bay.

[markeb01]

Nice to have a supportive partner. My wife scrubbed/stripped my entire chassis and then painted it with POR-15 for me since my back and knees don't work very well. Nice progress you're making!

[JamieGallien]

I bolted the modified 04 Silverado mounts to the engine and set it in for a test fit last night. Mounted the trans tail shaft on the custom cross member that I made years ago for the 700r4 install. Set the engine down and the modified mounts are situated PERFECTLY on the frame! Just right right to left, level side to side, and about a 5 degree rake back. Better than I could have imagined.

I'm going to weld support plates to the inside bottom of the frame well (where the new mounts touch in the pics) and support them from below or box them in. Then I will tack the Silverado mounts to those plates and remove the engine to fully weld everything up. It's all downhill from there! Fired UP!

[JamieGallien]

Started cutting off the old slave cylinder bracket (I think that's what it was). Also, here a pic of the brake setup that I installed years ago from a 92 Chrysler LeBaron. A better looking option than most of the truck boosters in my opinion, but I had to make a custom adapter plate to mount it.

[JamieGallien]

Forgot the pic of the 4l60e tailshaft and trans crossmember...it's been through the mill lol.