1975 Chevy SWB Fleetside

[superwade57]

heres a couple pics taken moments ago, same angle. the 73-80 is a 76 to be exact and has the bumper still attached the 81-87 is an 86 and has no front clip or bumper.....

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by superwade57

heres a couple pics taken moments ago, same angle. the 73-80 is a 76 to be exact and has the bumper still attached the 81-87 is an 86 and has no front clip or bumper.....

I agree that your 1'st image posted is an early frame horn style.

I just checked my 73 C/20 and it matches your pic.

The truck is not here next to me; its at the mechanic's place.

I'll text him & we shall see what he comes back with..

As I recall....I am almost certain that its an early frame.
I remember needing to weld up a small crack in the front on the drivers side and your 1'st pic makes me belive that is what it looks like.

[RPOZ11]

454 parts that I have been putting together for the swap...

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by superwade57

heres a couple pics taken moments ago, same angle. the 73-80 is a 76 to be exact and has the bumper still attached the 81-87 is an 86 and has no front clip or bumper.....

Here are my results of what frame I have...

Looks like I am in LUCK!

I tried to locate the VIN on the frame rails.
I looked on the top of the rails all the way to where the frame dips under the cab on both sides yet I did not find them.

Does anyone have a definitive location where the VIN is to be stamped on these?

[RPOZ11]

The engine bay before I start swapping it all over...

[superwade57]

haha explains your shotty bumper fit, but better they did that than butcher your frame!

[hatzie]

VIN is under the cab. It could be the full 13 digit VIN or a 9 digit partial like the original engine and transmission (Division number 1, model year 6, assembly plant designation 7, and build sequence # 8-13).

http://gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=60415
http://gmpartswiki.com/getpage?pageid=60417

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by hatzie

VIN is under the cab. It could be the full 13 digit VIN or a 9 digit partial like the original engine and transmission (Division number 1, model year 6, assembly plant designation 7, and build sequence # 8-13).

OK, I didn't get that far back to see this...

although, I did try to see in that general area when I was in there.

On top of the frame rail, side, or bottom portion areas?

Driver's side or passenger's side?

[RPOZ11]

Got a return call back from the engine shop.
My TH400 is done.
Resealed, HD sprag installed, minor tweaks.

He is working on the 496.
The Camshaft ended up being an UltraDyne piece, prior to the company being bought out.
He told me it was a US made piece; so good stuff there.
.515 lift, 112 centers, 272 duration.
Going to soften up the valve springs with a new set, just to be safe.
Not revving this past 6000.
Im kinda sold on using an MSD 8361; or an old 8460, bypassing the amplifier and using a 6ALN I have here.
Got the wiring harness in route.
Reseal the whole motor, along with new head gaskets.

He thinks that he will be done by 7-15-2012 with both.

The truck is up on the rack now.

My guy has already begun to loosen up all of the leafs, U-Bolts, etc etc.

Gotta get the auxiliary gas tank out and over there while it is up in the air for installation.

I guess once all of the rear axle and leafs are swapped out, we can concentrate on the front end.

Made arrangements to put the Truck on a frame rack; just to be safe.

I see a minor twinge here and there from what looks like some minor front end damage a few owners before me.

Once its all perfect, we can complete the front suspension and get her aligned ( After installing the engine/trans combo ).

I am getting excited a little bit now.

I can see some daylight now on completion of all the swapping

[RPOZ11]

Just picked this one up tonite.
Foam is in very good condition!
Tops of the velour are sorta sun damaged; will need to re-dye it.

I will have to slightly modify the floor frame for it.
Maybe some simple strap and weld in a bolt for stud mounting.

It was a bit wider than my factory seat's bracket mounting dimensions.
But, being that it's longer, I can narrow it to fit the GM mounting positions.

Will need to make a center console cup holder for it.

otherwise, its all in very good condition.
Got it all for $80.00!

[BIG V]

Its looking like your collection of parts is getting bigger.

[RPOZ11]

OK, finally something to show you...
1975 SWB Progress...
Here is the 10-Bolt posi installed with the custom made drop leafs.

Notice that the old leafs were torched.
The old truck 12-bolt will be junked; saving only the metal brake lines, etc... & the 12 bolt pinion flange, nut & washer.
The prior guy wanted to have them re-arched!
No way, as they are now brittle from have the spring tension removed.

I forgot to mention that we used a 10-Bolt from a 1985 Suburban.
Some of the small bolts were metric, others not; just fyi.
Do note that we had to change the parking brake cables from the prior 12-Bolt into the 10-Bolt backing plates.
The 1985 parking brake cables were longer than the stock ones from the 12-Bolt that were correct length for a SWB.

A 2'nd fuel tank to be added. Will use a mechanical 3-port switch valve.
.250 wall Class-5 Trailer Hitch; will clear the rear chrome bumper.

[RPOZ11]

add pic...

[RPOZ11]

After looking over the front end briefly, I noticed that I didnt have a front sway bar.

I went out and pulled out 2 extra front sway bars that I have from my 72's.

I compared those to my 73 3/4 ton C/20.

The 73 front sway bar appears to be a 1-1/4" bar.

The 72 front sway bars I have measure out to 1-1/8" bars.

So, I think that I will use the 72 sway bar piece.


Does anyone have any suggestions on front a-arm bump stop insulators in URETHANE?

Does anyone have any suggestions on the clam shell URETHANE motor mounts that either Energy Suspension or Prothane offer?

The transmission URETHANE mount looks like that they are the same from either manufacturer.

Does anyone have any suggestions on the rear axle bump stop insulators in URETHANE?

Thanx!

[RPOZ11]

The Truck on the ground with the drop leafs and the 10-Bolt installed....
I like the stance.
Might need a few 1000 miles on the rear leafs to get them to settle down.

These are the leaf springs that I had custom made.

I am going to order up some BB front coil springs and install those.

[RPOZ11]

Updates...
Been a while, sorry.
I do work alot and while working I try to amasss everything for the 496 swap.
The 496 is done, blue-printed, and 99% ready for the install.
TH400 will be done this coming Saturday.
I purchased a new clutch for the fan blade.
New hi-torque starter.
The fan blade has to be powder coated Black.
I couldn't have it chem-stripped as the caustic materials will dissolve the aluminum blades.
Here are some images of some of the parts I have for the 496.
Correct 454 pulleys, and misc stuff.
I had everything chem-stripped.
Will take everything in to be painted semi-gloss black once I have the PS pulley back....

[RPOZ11]

more stuff chem stripped for paint...

[RPOZ11]

454 Power Steering Pump 1973-1975 & 1976-up

I picked up a rebuilt 454 BB power steering pump.

Question :

Is the later 454 pumps using a press on pulley different from earlier ones using the front securing nut?

[WarBeard]

I think the press on pulley is for serpentine systems. I only say that because my '89 Suburban with a 350 has a press on pulley.

[RPOZ11]

Here is the rebuilt pump I got...
The low side tube drop out is correct on the can.
Looks like maybe a different front pump?

[RPOZ11]

496 done!
Shop owner diassembled and re-assembled it.
New gaskets throughout.
1 piece pan seal.
Set at TDC/0*.
Ready to fire.
Just have to start installing all of the new parts onto it.
The stock low plane 454 cast intake manifold was chem-stripped, gasket port matched, and recleaned prior to installing it.
Having an 800cfm QuadraJet built for it.
The valve covers are only being used as a dust deterrent until I determine which covers I will use.

The TH400 is having the rear thrust bearing replaced.
Original GM piece was showing signs of wear.
Should have it back wednesday.
Had my Allison convertor rebuilt with newer upgraded parts.
1400 stall.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by RPOZ11

I purchased an upgradeed pinion yoke for the 10-Bolt rebuild.
I "believe" that the stock u-joint size is 1310.
1310 Series universal joint is 3 7/32 inches wide with 1 1/16 inch bearing caps.

The Yoke I purchased is for the pinion's 30 spline count and using the 1350 u-joint and the strap/bolt type u-joint securing.
1350 u-joints are 3.625 inches wide in both directions & All 4 bearing caps are 1.187 inch diameter.

This improvement will allow for, with using the T400, having a 1350 u-joint at both ends of the driveshaft.

I cant think of much more to get for it, unless I went rear discs.

Anything else I can do to the 10-bolt besides what I already have?

Do you have 30 spline axles? 90s Chevy trucks are 30 spline and go right in and are .5 wider making the track length more like the front of the trucks.
Mine has 1350 u joints. A t/a cover girdle strange c clip eliminators and a truetrack diff with 3.73 gears.
Posted via Mobile Device

[RPOZ11]

I used earlier stock GM 28 spline type axles.

The only thing I can think of upgrading on the 10-bolt would be to incorporate FORD 9" style Torino side axle bearing style assemblies.

OR

Have a 9" rear axle made up for it.

We shall see how the 10-Bolt holds up!

[RPOZ11]

TURBO 400 done!

Allison Convertor rebuilt!

[RPOZ11]

Just waiting on car lift availabilty...
Been buying up some small parts for the install.
A new 800 cfm Quadrajet is being done down at my carb shop.
Sent in 3 MSD distributors to be rebuilt.
I have 3 MSD 8460's; old style MSD units with the 5400 amplifiers.
One 8460 is missing the 5400, but was near mint.
Gonna dial it in to work with a 6ALN I have.

Otherwise I have a DUI HEI distributor ready to use.

Question for you electrical guys :
Can I run an HEI with the factory 1975 wiring harness?
Or do I need to run it off of an accessory tab from the fuse block?
I cant recall if the 1973-1980 Trucks had built in resistor wiring...