1971 Stepside LS Build

[1971Stepside]

Saturday I took the video gamers to the pick and pull to find a hydroboost off a Astro van. The boys ended up having a good time and we found what we were looking for. I don't think I can use the prop valve off of this, but we just took it all.

[1971Stepside]

Fabbed up the DBW gas pedal in the cab. I may adjust it some, but this will get us up and running. Need to put the column in and see if it interferes at all with my set up. One piece always leads to needing another piece.

[1971Stepside]

I built a dolly for the bed. Building this thing in a small 2 car garage is a challenge, but I'm making it work. Then rolled her outside for some sunshine and cleaning.

[Custom 68]

That is an interesting master cylinder. do you have the info on what it came off of? I am using hydroboost with a standard looking master.
That's a good looking pedal mount as well.
Thanks
Dave

[1971Stepside]

That is an interesting master cylinder. do you have the info on what it came off of?

I'm not sure I am going to use the master cylinder. I thought it looked interesting and looked pretty new. Thought it would fit the modern look of the LS better than the old style. It came off of a 1995 Chevy Astro Van. You can see her in the photo with the boys. I assume I will have to change out prop valves since I am disc/drum. I have two of the master cylinders if you are interested in one.

[Custom 68]

I didn't have much luck with the older ones they seemed to want to leak. I am using one from a Tahoe that had hydroboost. I got at the parts store. I will need to look back at the year but what I found odd was that it still takes quite a bit of pedal pressure for the braking. It is very predictable so I have not done anything with it but you got to press pretty hard but all works well together.
Dave

[1971Stepside]

Dave, we need to get together. I have lots of questions and I could sure pick your brain since you have done this swap before. PM me your contact info if you don't mind and I'll buy you a beverage.

[68Gold/white]

Originally Posted by Custom 68

That is an interesting master cylinder. do you have the info on what it came off of? I am using hydroboost with a standard looking master.
That's a good looking pedal mount as well.
Thanks
Dave

That particular m/cyl is made like that is made that way to clear the hood on a Chevy Astro van. THe hood barely clears the lids on the reservoirs.

There is zero room under the hood on those Astro vans for a vacuum booster, likely reason for hydroboost...

[Flubyu]

Nice to see some local guys on here! I'm just down the road in Clever...and also LS swapping..about 80% done with my 71 5.3 swap.

[1971Stepside]

Nice to see some local guys on here! I'm just down the road in Clever...and also LS swapping..about 80% done with my 71 5.3 swap.

Flubyu, you are close! I will need to come and check out your project. Let me know how to get in touch with you.

[FirstGen]

Really like the red frame ����

[RedRider]

I’m going with the 278 HP Circle D TC, probably 2600-2800 stall though. What were you thinking?

[1971Stepside]

Really like the red frame ����

Thanks! It will hopefully all come together.

I’m going with the 278 HP Circle D TC, probably 2600-2800 stall though. What were you thinking?

I went with the Stage IV BTR cam, so they recommended I do the Circle-D 3000 - 3200 stall for it. It is the 4 bolt converter rather than the stock 4L80 8 bolt configuration so I don't have to change flex plates.

[1971Stepside]

Big milestone for the build. Installed the motor and transmission for the final time yesterday. Very happy with the results. The caddy oil pan sits in a much better position than the truck pan.
Fuel system is the next project, then wiring, then cooling, then....

Also got the hydro boost fitted to the firewall. More work to do there, but doing to wait to pull the cab back off to finish up welds etc.

[RedRider]

There's something about that red block/aluminum heads/red valve covers looks that is really sexy.

[1971Stepside]

I went back to pick and pull and retrieved the pressure hoses off of the Astro van so I would have the correct ends and bends for the hoses. I had to stuff and old steering column in to make sure I had clearance around that. I picked up a new stock 71 power steering hose...although I don't remember the original using a bend like this.

I now have all the hoses and correct ends to take to the machine shop to have new hoses made. I want to hide these hoses as best as possible and run them down from the booster to the frame and up to the gear box/pump. Otherwise, I made very little progress this weekend.

I spent most of the day on Saturday trying to find an LS crank pulley installer with no luck. The rental tool at O'Reilly's does not work. Going to try Fastenal this week and make my own.

[1971Stepside]

Wow! Having hoses made is not cheap. I really wanted the hydroboost to look clean and not have hoses be the first thing you saw when you opened the hood. After trying a few different GM hoses I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and get some made. I just zip tied them last night for initial fit. Will clamp them down once I can get the low pressure return finished up. These are definitely a smaller overall diameter from the traditional rubber hoses and will clean up the brake/steering area.

[Custom 68]

Looking good, It is coming along nicely.
Dave

[1971Stepside]

I drove to Springdale Arkansas yesterday and met Mike (Jens Jimmy). Mike is a fantastic guy with tons of knowledge about our trucks. He has a lot of parts too! He hooked me up with some vent windows, door glass, back window glass, wiper motor, wiper switch and headlight switch. Baby steps, but the pieces are starting to come together.

Now, if I can figure out how to put new seals in these vent windows...time to search the board for help.

[1971Stepside]

I was able to get several little items checked off this weekend including redoing this high hump. I was a little rusty on my welding, but it turned out fine for a dynomat base

Always plan to get way more done that what really happens. I think I spend most of my time running to parts stores and hardware stores.

[1971Stepside]

I flipped them twice and they are still sideways...why?

[1971Stepside]

I continue to mess around with these power steering hoses to try to get them in the right spot and look decent. I'm a little worried they may interfere with the shift linkage, but will have to wait and see. Ended up having to use some small amount of black rubber hose to make it all work. I didn't want to change the low pressure fittings on the pump in case I ever needed to replace it. If the pictures post sideways I'm sorry...had it figured out until I got a new computer.

[Custom 68]

Wow nice detail. that has fit nice.

[1971Stepside]

Ordered my gas line and fittings so I needed to get the fuel rails and injectors put back on the intake. I wanted to clean the injectors before putting them back in knowing that they will be sitting for a few months before they have clean fuel running to them again. I watched a couple videos on how to do this and then built my own tool. I used a 1/2" piece of rubber hose and reduced it down by using a 1/2" plastic wall anchor. I cut the end off the wall anchor and then drilled it to match the size of the smaller hose. A couple clamps and it worked perfectly with no leaks. I purchased a small 12v battery since I didn't have an old car battery laying around. They were sure dirty. I had a supervisor keeping an eye on me in the shop.

[1971Stepside]

Just some more slow progress. Original plan was to run the braided line the full distance, but then I started reading about vapor smell from the lines and decided to put a hard line in. Just mocking up here, but satisfied with the header clearance and the overall fit. Simply bought a 58" inch piece of 3/8" tubing. Virtually a straight run down the frame.