A '54 named Busty

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by LT7A

Just checking. I'm not familiar with that device. Does it give you a measurement relative to the truck, or is it degrees off of level, so you need to take vehicle rake and slope of your garage slab into account?

the latter and I know my garage slopes forward (as evident by a pile of sockets in the two front corners of the garage at the end of each project, ha ha) however when I set that dial gauge on my garage floor the rise over run was negligible so I called that a zero and shot for 3° of engine slope downess towards the rudder

[Gregski]

[excuse] with my metal shop inventory depleted on account of the Corona virus [/excuse]

I decided to treat myself to a brand new universal transmission crossmember - any of you used / installed this kind?

Trans-Dapt Performance 6544 Transmission Crossmember Kit Universal

• For Use w/700R4/4L60E/T-56 Trans.
• 26 To 36 in. Framerail Width
• 6 in. Drop Distance
• Rubber Pads

Note: this kit aka part number 6544 forces you to buy the rubber mounting pad which I really didn't want/need to keep the cost lower, however it's all that AMAZON has, the basic kit is the 6524 same thing less the pad for only $63, however AMAZON does not carry that kit, so I tried to buy from SUMMIT and after filling my shopping cart with $99 bucks to get their FREE shipping, those fools said, this item requires an additional $20 shipping charge, I really hate when they do that!!! I want free stuff, and I want businesses to give me free stuff, ha ha, just kidding point is, I will gladly pay shipping but be up front about it, don't wait till the last moment to tell me that, it wastes my precious time, I could have stripped like seven bolts by then wrenching, ha ha

[Gregski]

the sooner we identify interferences the sooner we can order parts if needed to remedy them

the stock truck LS water pump posses two challenges in the form of the upper and lower inlets and outlets

UPPER HOSE

our options are to do nothing with the pumps 45° upper hose outlet design and run one of them ribbed upper hoses to redirect it back to the radiator or we could buy a 2007 and newer water pump where the outlet points straight up (decisions, decisions) another option is to replace the pump with a Camaro pump but that solution quickly dominos into spacers and alternator bracket grindage etc, I also heard of guys attempting to rotate that outlet via a tire iron or some other mickey mouse way, I wonder if that is prone to leaks though, your thoughts, suggesions? also the upper hose outlet is 1 1/4 yet on the '54 radiator it is 1 1/2 so we got a coupler adapter

LOWER HOSE

as far as the lower water pump inlet currently at the 9:00 o'clock position, we could hack the inner fender some more, until there is nothing left, ha ha, or we could buy a Mr. Gasket 2670 swivel inlet and simply reclock it, we shall shoot for the ladder

HEATER CORE

which brings us to the last issue on the water pump, and that is the heater hose bypass, see those two nipples pointed straight at the passenger inner fender, well we are not going to run a heater core, so they need to be linked together, fortunately they make a horse shoe shaped rubber hose to do just that

[NorCalGal]

I picked one up at chassis works there in Sac. Prices were good too!
Chris Alston's ChassisworksLike Us on Facebook
Website: CAChassisworks.com Ordering: 1-888-388-0297
Facebook: facebook.com/CAChassisworks Technical: 1-916-388-0288
Email: sales@cachassisworks.com Fax: 1-916-388-0295
Address: Chris Alston's Chassisworks
8661 Younger Creek Drive
Sacramento, CA 95828

[NorCalGal]

https://www.cachassisworks.com/p-381...me-4-drop.aspx

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by NorCalGal

https://www.cachassisworks.com/p-381...me-4-drop.aspx

thank you so much, I am concerned the 4" drop may not be enough though, when I measured 6" inches seems tight as it were

[Gregski]

... and wrapping up the tour of the downstairs... just passed the foyer we have the wiring room

[NorCalGal]

My living room has four fenders and 2 inner fenders.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by norcalgal

my living room has four fenders and 2 inner fenders.

~ respect ~

[layinrocker65]

I like to store all my pretty parts in the living room. Got a new turbo sitting on the mantel.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by layinrocker65

I like to store all my pretty parts in the living room. Got a new turbo sitting on the mantel.

Awesome, how long have you been single? ha ha (jk)

[Gregski]

so here is my 1954 to 2004 LS Swap To Do list:

1. Install transmission crossmember, the B&M shifter 4L60E cable bracket, run custom steel braided lines and 6 AN fittings to radiator

2. Install exhaust manifolds and modify downpipes to fit

3. Install fuel system in tank electric fuel pump and sending unit, inline fuel filter, steel braided hoses and 6 AN fittings to quick connect fuel rails

4. Plumb the power steering pump using 6AN fittings and steel braided hoses

5. Plumb water pump (upper and lower hoses, heater core bypass, and vent tube)

6. Install drive by wire throttle pedal

7. Install, reroute, and shorten engine wiring harness, find a place to mount the PCM, and build a custom fuse and relay block

8. Install driveshaft (may need to be shortened)

[joedoh]

nice work on the swappin!

[Gregski]

So I'm at a bit of stand still waiting on the 4L60E transmission crossmember to arrive, so took some pics of the little tickle I gave to the trans tunnel front lip to slide the gearbox under it, I may hammer and dolly it nice and flat some day (probably not, ha ha)

I also regret not lifting the tunnel cover to clean it's border properly prior to priming, painting, and undercoating it, oh well

[Gregski]

I also couldn't help myself and set the intake on the 5.3L just to see her in full bloom, she dusty from sitting on the garage shelf for almost a year, but she fit right in - looks like she's going 45 MPH just standing still, don't it, ha ha

I sure aint worried about hood clearances with that tall hood

[dsraven]

Are you sticking with the clutch fan or going electric?

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by dsraven

Are you sticking with the clutch fan or going electric?

i hope to run the mechanical but plan on adding two wires to the harness for an electric fan just in case, why? what are you thinking?

[dsraven]

Clutch fan working well could depend on height of engine and what is blocking air flow for it. Maybe pre wiring is a good idea

[texxxan]

Busty is looking so good. I'm jealous.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by texxxan

Busty is looking so good. I'm jealous.

fanks

[Gregski]

so why WE are still waiting on parts, I decided to do what I do best and focus on things that involve huge amounts of work with not much to show for...

[Gregski]

... project Flatapus

[Gregski]

surely but slowly it's getting there, and mind you I only bid this job because of its hideability factor, it's not like we are fixing the hood or the roof of a split window Corvette ... so, carpet and paint makes me the welder I aint

[Gregski]

the transmission crossmember arrived today and it is such a nice piece, and made for such an easy install, the two bottom holes of each bracket lined up perfectly with two existing holes on the C channel stock truck frame rail, it was unreal - I am calling this my even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometime moment

all I have to do is drill two more top holes on either side and Flo's your aunt

[Gregski]

motivated by the easy transmission crossmember install I pressed on, anyone's who done an LS Swap will tell you the devil's in the details

here I am installing the heater core delete crossover horse shoe

Note the nipples are of different size as is the specialty bypass hose