Finally "Silvers" build thread!! ('78 swb 2wd silverado)

[menace121978]

thanks Bob!!

[menace121978]

little progress today!! 1 big step was that i finally ordered the s&p headers!!! whoo hooo!! and i also talked to hannah at wait4me. Jesse should be calling me back soon on the final price since they have to add in a couple connectors for the 4l80 since the esky had the 65e. so i'll get that sent off monday!! 2 steps closer to hearing her run

the other thing i did today was start on my firewall. cleaned the black stuff off and welded a couple holes (my 1st ones) and started on the seam that runs through the middle all the way across. its not the purdyest thing but it will work and i can only get better. and i figure what ever i screw up the painter can fix... thats why he makes the big bucks!

[menace121978]

and thank you Gerald, Billy, and Bob for all your help over the phone today. nothing like autobody/welding classes over the phone!

[glock35ipsc]

Looking sweet! You gonna try and fire this beast up so soon as you have everything needed to make it run?

[menace121978]

after the harness all i need(i think) is the radiator!! also a few odds and ends like new intake gaskets and knock sensor harness, just to ease my mind.

oh yea, i need to order my gauges so i can install the coolant sensor.

[54Caddy]

if you need help doing the welding im down man.. Ill do it whenever just let me know.. Ill help you shave the firewall if you want..

[mcbassin]

Welds are looking good!

[Driveway Dreams]

Looks good Dennis. Like I said on the phone, and still think after looking at these pics, you could get away with a little longer welds. That should help you get better penetration and thus help you out. But again, looking good! Keep at it.

[draggin86]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

Looks good Dennis. Like I said on the phone, and still think after looking at these pics, you could get away with a little longer welds. That should help you get better penetration and thus help you out. But again, looking good! Keep at it.

I agree the firewall is pretty stout not something that is going to warp like a door or bed side it has a lot of shape to it and doubled up seams

[Driveway Dreams]

Dennis, I sent you an email to try to show you what I was trying to say with the welds. I hope it helps you out a little more.

[JohnC]

Looks good Dennis.

[fpjr0]

good progress!!!!

[menace121978]

thanks guys! been slowly working on the fire wall and patiently waiting for parts. not much to show in pics. maybe 6 inches more of the seam welded and 4 more holes filled

[Driveway Dreams]

It's still progress.

[JohnC]

Originally Posted by Driveway Dreams

It's still progress.

That's right. Progress is progress!

[fpjr0]

I 2nd the progress is progress.... how ever right now I want to ask for a minute of silence due to the sudden death of my newly swapped 5.3/4l60e combo the transmission is fried after nearly 300 miles since the swap,, I went for a drive today and I nocited a hesitation when on the freeway... only to pull over and nocited a heavy smell of burnt transmission tried to take off again and all I have is 1 and 2nd gears and then slips into 3rd and comes in and out of 3rd.. a sad day.

[menace121978]

Originally Posted by fpjr0

I 2nd the progress is progress.... how ever right now I want to ask for a minute of silence due to the sudden death of my newly swapped 5.3/4l60e combo the transmission is fried after nearly 300 miles since the swap,, I went for a drive today and I nocited a hesitation when on the freeway... only to pull over and nocited a heavy smell of burnt transmission tried to take off again and all I have is 1 and 2nd gears and then slips into 3rd and comes in and out of 3rd.. a sad day.

damn! thats a bummer man. i wish you the best on getting her fixed. but 1 positive thing though... you made me feel better about going with the 80e.

[Driveway Dreams]

Ouch. Sorry for your trouble. Hopefully it is just a repair for you. Not a loss of a dearly needed member of your family.

[fpjr0]

its cool... might have to adopt a 4l80e or a 6 speed lol to replace my lost family memeber

[79gmc5.3]

Looking good Dennis. Keep up the good work.

[menace121978]

sorry buddy... ive been searching all morning for ya. Josh may have another place. i'd just give them a call(nook&tranny) and ask them.

[STOCKISH]

Dennis, was S&P able to give you a part number for the headers that was supposed to fit with the 4l80e? I think I am going to go ahead and buy the headers from them instead of using the stock manifolds. That extra power would be nice. Cant wait to see pics of yours installed. As soon as I can see that they fit well I think I will go ahead and order them. If you can give me the part # whenever you can I would really appreciate it. Ooh, the awkard question, how much did they set you back? (sorry)

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by menace121978

sorry buddy... ive been searching all morning for ya. Josh may have another place. i'd just give them a call(nook&tranny) and ask them.

Hey Dennis no problem. I had seen them on eBay I didn't know they had there own website. They had them. got one on order. Thanks for your help

[STOCKISH]

Glad to see the progress. Cant wait to see oics of the cab on the chassis. Is the color you are painting it the original color?

[JohnC]

No he's going with the Red Jewel Tintcoat that is on the Trailblazer SS's