The never ending K5 Build LS Swap

[SeventyOne]

nice rides!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by Ptjsk

A '62, and a '63.

The '63 is just nearing completion. Then I got sidetracked a little with the Jimmy!

Pat

Very nice rides!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

The K5 went off to the body shop about 3 weeks ago and I'm hoping to bring her back home this week so I can get working on it.

Here's what the firewall looked like before.


I had the shop use this 5 piece kit from Vannatta Fabrication

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

More firewall pics

[Ptjsk]

Gonna be nice when it gets back!

Pat

[4x41971SWB]

Very nice!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

For the Vintage Air setup, I'll be using a square bulkhead for the AC / Heater hoses. They used a nibbler to make the cutout since it produces minimal heat that could otherwise end up causing distortion in the metal.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

While I have been waiting for the bodywork and engine I've been keeping myself busy with a few things. I'm on my third mockup for the custom center console I think I have the final prototype that I'll be using.

Board member PICKMUP makes these cup holders for original consoles that replace the seat belt holders so I made some changes to the first design.

[IronCanine]

Mike...my boy...all I can say is wow. And sign me up. Roads...where you're going, you don't need roads.

[C.I.Blazer]

Mike, saw in your previous thread where you used a Boyd's tank from AZ performance but had to do some modification on the filler neck. Can you elaborate? Looking to order one but want to know if I need to do something custom to make it work. Thanks!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Mike...my boy...all I can say is wow. And sign me up. Roads...where you're going, you don't need roads.

Thanks Brad. It's definitely been a long road to get to where I am at. I can see the finish line..

Originally Posted by C.I.Blazer

Mike, saw in your previous thread where you used a Boyd's tank from AZ performance but had to do some modification on the filler neck. Can you elaborate? Looking to order one but want to know if I need to do something custom to make it work. Thanks!

The only thing I had to do was use a reducer from the filler neck to the tank because the diameter of the tank neck was smaller. Other than that it bolted right in. The quality of the tank is top-notch.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Okay. Got a nice a little update. The Blazer comes home from body shop tomorrow and I also received my engine back. In the meantime, I've been spending much of my time perfecting my cerakote skills. If you're not familiar with Cerakote it's pretty cool stuff. It's a type of ceramic coating that is very popular with gun enthusiasts. It lays down very flat and thin (like 1mm) and they offer two kinds of curing.

I've been using their air cure (C-series coating), mainly because I don't have an oven to bake this stuff and it also has a higher temperature rating compared to the H series.

These are the colors I've been using (Black Velvet, Burnt Bronze, Stop Light Red)



Every part under the hood has been painted one of these colors and I'm really happy with how it turned out.



All the AN Fittings also received the cerakote special!



More parts


Holley EFI Intake in Stop Light Red

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

I offered my engine builder to come in and cerakote the block and heads but he insisted on doing it himself. Well, my OCD kicked in and I sanding everything down as far as I could get So reshot the block and heads. I think he should stick to building motors and leave the painting to me lol:

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

He did a great job on porting & polishing the 317 heads for the LQ9 Block.

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

The accessory drive system is from Drive Junky. It's a really nice setup. Of all the ones I was considering I liked this one the most because of how it keeps everything compact. The AC is mounted on the lower left passenger side. The kit includes a fully tig welder Jones Racing Power steering pump. They also customized the setting for the PS pump to work well with my Hydroboost setup. They actually come anodized black but I couldn't help myself to spray it in the black velvet to match everything else.

[C.I.Blazer]

WOW! that looks amazing. I was starting to think about how to paint my TC and motor and Cerakote is a great idea. I did an old shotgun in it once and it has been incredibly durable. What all did you did you have done to the LQ9? I found an LQ4 with a 4L65E that I am hoping to try a swap with.

Another question on your fuel system. Do you have any details anywhere on how you plumbed your tank? I assume you used the 340 pump that came with it and added an inline filter regulator? Did you keep all the original vent lines, charcoal canister, and vent lines in that connect at the back of the truck?

Your threads have been really great to help me learn although I am just trying to get mine driveable and will not be a restoration by any means. Thanks for posting!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by C.I.Blazer

WOW! that looks amazing. I was starting to think about how to paint my TC and motor and Cerakote is a great idea. I did an old shotgun in it once and it has been incredibly durable. What all did you did you have done to the LQ9? I found an LQ4 with a 4L65E that I am hoping to try a swap with.

Started with a virgin bare block out of 2000's escalade. We used forged internals for the bottom end and JE Pistons. My engine builder milled the heads and increased the stock compression ratio to 11.4 I think. The cam is 225/234ish on a 112 Lobe Separation. He told me the cathedral port heads perform better with a smaller split duration. This combo should provide a decent idle and good usable power and better gas mileage.

Another question on your fuel system. Do you have any details anywhere on how you plumbed your tank? I assume you used the 340 pump that came with it and added an inline filter regulator? Did you keep all the original vent lines, charcoal canister, and vent lines in that connect at the back of the truck?

I ended up using all new fuel lines including adding a return line. I had SS hard lines in before but opted to stainless braided lines for an easier install. The lines I used are from Hotrod Fuel hose. https://hotrodfuelhose.com/ Very reasonably priced AN fittings and PTFE hose line. The filter is located externally along the inside of my frame rail. It's a Holley filter. (not sure what part number) I didn't have a regulator on there when I was running the Holley Sniper setup but I will be using one on the return line with the new Holley Terminator Max X ECU.

Your threads have been really great to help me learn although I am just trying to get mine driveable and will not be a restoration by any means. Thanks for posting!

You bet! Happy to help

[jaros44sr]

Truck looks great, one question though. what kind of prep work did you do before the ceracoat, do you spray or brush it on. couple parts under hood I wouls like to freshen up

[IronCanine]

Dang son! That's how you do it!

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

Truck looks great, one question though. what kind of prep work did you do before the ceracoat, do you spray or brush it on. couple parts under hood I wouls like to freshen up

Thanks, Jaro. For the cerakote, I use an HLVP detail spray gun with a .8mm tip and pressure set at 20 psi. As far as the prep goes.. for all parts and especially any parts that were previously powder coated or painted, I use my engine builders blast cabinet that uses glass beads.

Cerakote recommends aluminum oxide because it creates a better surface for adhesion because aluminum oxide is more aggressive. So far, I've had luck with the glass beads, but a buddy of mine just got a new blaster and I'll be able to use the aluminum oxide in his back yard so I will begin using this and I'll also be able to blast large parts that didn't fit in the blast cabinet. I'll be doing my inner fenders and core support using aluminum oxide this week and I'll post some pics.

You want to make sure you get all the rust scale and old paint off. The most important part is having a clean surface. I Really scrub the parts down with soap and water to get most of the dirt off and then I come back with a grease and wax remover and then let is soak in acetone.

I just started using Dupli Color's grease and wax remover and this stuff works wonders. I don't even need to wash it with soap and water anymore. This stuff takes all the dirt out in just one application.


I am getting better and better each time I use this stuff and really starting to get the hang of it, as well as being comfortable making adjustments to the gun on the fly while spraying.

This is the gun I use. On Amazon for 16 bucks

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by IronCanine

Dang son! That's how you do it!

I know right! This build is getting out of hand but in a good way

[C.I.Blazer]

Thanks for the fuel and Cerakote tips. I have been wanting to give painting a try and love the way yours has turned out.

One more question on the fuel system. Did you keep any of the original vapor recovery system? The lines in the back that used to vent the tank or the lines to the charcoal canister up front?

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Originally Posted by C.I.Blazer

Thanks for the fuel and Cerakote tips. I have been wanting to give painting a try and love the way yours has turned out.

One more question on the fuel system. Did you keep any of the original vapor recovery system? The lines in the back that used to vent the tank or the lines to the charcoal canister up front?

It's a lot of fun for me. I especially like using a spray gun and I don't think I'll ever use rattle can again.

Just go for it dude! What's the worst that can happen? Lol ��


Got rid of it all. When I swapped for the 427 SBC I couldn't tell a difference from when I had all it all on there (all brand parts) when I finished the restoration a couple years ago. The vapor smell will always be there IMO.

[jaros44sr]

Thanks for the write up on ceracoat, I ll give it a go

[72K5CSTDarkOlive]

Back from body shop. Now it's time to get to work. I have quite a list of things I need to get done.

1. Finish the custom center console build
2. button up the engine and make sure I have all the right sensors
3. Install Vintage Air Evap (need to find alternate mounting locations)
4. Install Engine (make sure headers fit)
5. Start on the wiring
a. Fuse Panel
b. Relay Panel
c. Switch Panel
D. Vintage Air
E. Dakota Dash
F. Holley Terminator Max X ECU + Transmission
H. Stereo, speakers, and AMP
6. Cerakote miscellaneous parts (Inner Fenders, Core support, Battery Tray, etc..
7. Install oil cooler (Find suitable remote location)
8. Install Transmission cooler (Find suitable remote location)
9. Install PS Cooler
10. Redo some of the brake lines up front

I'm sure I'm missing some stuff but that's mostly it.