Glock's new project: "Fred" w/ 5.3L LS swap info

[joe231]

Very cool build thread!
I'm not sure how I have missed it for so long....

[menace121978]

looks great Bob... looks like you got a lot done now get some rest so you can hit it hard in the morning!!

[joe231]

Right on!!

I love your shop BTW

[glock35ipsc]

Thanks Joe!

Got going about 8 this morning, I slept in!

Got the trans pulled out, then got both gas tanks pulled along with ALL fuel lines, return lines, and switch valve. Then pushed Fred back outside to give him one last pressure bath. Cleaned up a few other parts like the trans crossmenber and some misc brackets. After a good drip dry while I cleaned up the shop, my son helped me get him back in.

Then I got the mod done to the engine stand. This will be easy to do in the future once I get the motor mount located and drilled. I have a template made for the piece to weld in, and I'll make one that references the original mount holes to the new holes. Easy.

Then I modded the adapter plate by drilling two new holes and tapping them. Then I cut the front ear off that had the interfering hole. On the clam shells, there is a triangle shaped part that is pressed into it between the three holes that has to be cut out so it sits flush against the adapter plates. Got that cut out, and had to clearance the clam shell in two places, very minor, to clear one bolt head and to be sure I had ample clearance to the AC bracket.

** NOTE - When doing this, the upper rear clam shell bolt will be VERY close to a web on the block. I added a lock and flat washer to be sure I had plenty of room, as I didn't have a shorter 3/8" bolt.

The engine is ready to be bolted to the trans and be set in. Once I get it centered up, I can get the trans crossmember set in place, tack weld the motor mount to the stand, then pull everything out. Then I can drill the holes in the stand and break the tacks off. I'll make the template, then hit it with some paint and bolt it back on.

Getting close!!!!

Oh, the u-joints are the original ones!! 211,000 miles!! I think I know where that minor vibration at certain speeds was coming from now.

And the fuel tanks are pretty dirty inside, and the return line drained BROWN. May have been where the surge was coming from? The fuel that drained out of the fuel filter was brown too.

[glock35ipsc]

More...

[glock35ipsc]

Here you can see where the upper rear 3/8" bolt comes close to the block web. Just be sure to use a washer on a short bolt. Finger tighten first to be sure.

I'm done for today. It's my boy's 9th birthday, so we are getting ready to head to town then to Grandma and Grandpas!

Tomorrow the 5.3 gets set in it's new home!!!!

[menace121978]

awesome! I UNDERSTAND NOW!! i guess i'm a visual person

[N2TRUX]

Nice progress Bob...

[Driveway Dreams]

Bob, I just have to say it since no body else will. YOU SUCK!
Sorry I had to. Good job on Fred. I can't wait to see him up and running...or is that going to be up and sprinting?

[hessian18]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

Bob, I just have to say it since no body else will. YOU SUCK!
Sorry I had to. Good job on Fred. I can't wait to see him up and running...or is that going to be up and sprinting?

I can go with that !! X 2 ahahaha



All I can say is soon, I have a truck lined up


Looking forward to more updates.


Bob

[JohnC]

Looks awesome man! You are making some serious headway on Fred. Keep the momentum going, and heck you might have this swap done before Fall gets here.

[glock35ipsc]

Thanks guys! (except maybe for Gerald )

I'm setting a lofty goal for myself..... have Fred running for our September BBQ/cruise on the 27th. I may be stretching it a bit, and he may not be 100% completed, but it's the goal for now.

After coffee is done brewing, I'm heading out to set the engine and trans in.

[glock35ipsc]

WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Engine mount mod worked PERFECT, NO mods needed for the trans cross member other than drilling 4 easy holes. Engine is perfectly level side-to-side, and I have 3.5* of angle back. Truck manifolds will work with about a quarter sized piece to be notched from the frame. Drive shaft fits perfect. Even the shifter linkage is in the right place. Passenger side exhaust will hook up the the existing pipe easily. Drivers side will need the pipe cut from the flange and rotated to get the right angle, but will be fairly easy too.

I'm getting a little nervous.... things are going TOO good so far!

Weeks of planning just paid off!!!!!

[menace121978]

you sure work fast! looks like it belongs in there

i sure am glad its going so smooth!!!!!!!!!!

[nlped]

^^^Yep! I'm sure glad too. Makes the task a lot less daunting with all these pics and info. Now if it will just quit raining for a few days so my damn concrete can get started

[JohnC]

Congrats Bob!!!!

The reason it went so easy is the helper you had. Give that girl a cookie!

Man this is should be a sticky thread for sure when it comes to LSX conversion.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by JohnC

Man this is should be a sticky thread for sure when it comes to LSX conversion.

When it is all done and running, I am going to do a huge post with step by step and pics, and make a FAQ out of it.

Putting on the harness right now, have the engine bay painted, and getting ready to put it back in.

Oh, I just remembered that I forgot to test fit the AC. Oh well, at least that's in a place that I can get to easy to do whatever I might need to.

Lunch time!

[JohnC]

Your a man on a mission!!! Keep it up man.

[Palf70Step]

Very Nice! Making me think of a square body again.

[LiveAnimals]

Well done, I cant wait to see the finished project

[Rollinsqrbdy]

wow that looks really good.

[lolife99]

Glock,...
did you happen to make some "templates" of your new engine plates?
Maybe some for sale in the near future?

[glock35ipsc]

Too tired for details tonight, I'll catch up with everyone tomorrow.

I don't want to see the inside of my shop until Wednesday!!

This weekend's progress was HUGE!!!!

I'll leave y'all with these, more coming tomorrow. G'nite!

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Glock,...
did you happen to make some "templates" of your new engine plates?
Maybe some for sale in the near future?

Yes, and yes.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Cherub

I see your sticking with the electronic throttle control

Yep, clean and simple, and easy to hook up the factory cruise.

Originally Posted by menace121978

where's the a/c compressor?

I have to clearance a couple spots on the AC bracket than I'll put it back on. I had to tweak the trans cooler lines slightly to make sure they weren't rubbing or getting pinched by it. Then I will have to notch the frame for the lines to clear. This part has me scratching my head. I didn't spend a lot of time there though cause I was out of gas! I was concerned at first about the amount that would need to be removed from the frame there since the idler arm mounts in that area, but I think it should be OK if I reinforce the the frame rail around that area real good. But like I said I didn't spend a lot of time looking it over. When I go back out with a clear head and not so tired, it'll come to me.

Originally Posted by lolife99

Glock,...
did you happen to make some "templates" of your new engine plates?
Maybe some for sale in the near future?

It's really going to come down to whether or not I can definitely make the AC work in the LS's original location without too much hassle. So far everything has worked out well. I'm hoping I can so I don't have to spend the $$$$ on a high side mounting kit.

More pics up later.