my official 68 shortstep ls1 thread (lots of pics)

[shifty]

I'm using the stock manifolds from the car listed.

[shifty]

Here's a shortcut way to add a manual temp gauge :

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showpost.p...8&postcount=54

Lots of pictures.

[CAL 58 GMC]

Nice work so far 68 shortstep! Keep the pictures coming.

[68 short step]

maken a little progress.... got a electric dual fan im maken mounting brackets for, and modding to fit my rad... also plumbed up the rad to the overflow can.. and plumbing up trans to cooler...

[68 short step]

also got my wheels in they are foose nitrous 20s on rear and 18s on front

[msgross]

wow, I need my sunglasses for those...very nice

[shifty]

Man, those things are huge looking!

Funny you got the fuel lines out. I was sposta work on them today, then a friend called and was stuck in between floors in his house (fell through the cieling while working on the subfloor upstairs). That ate up a lot of the day, then I came home and shot myself in the eye with Brake Cleaner. That put me out of commission for another hour, and by then it was dinnertime

Looks like you got your lines going well. I'd post the PDF of how to make em, but looks like you got the hang of it already

[caseychoptop]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

maken a little progress.... got a electric dual fan im maken mounting brackets for, and mdding to fit my rad... also plumbed up the rad to the overflow can.. and plumbing up trans to cooler...

just looking at the overflow tank for your rad, i have a 400ci smallblock and the rad just has a overflow pipe draining on to the fllor if it overflows, is that not right then

[LUV2XCLR8]

NICE

[shifty]

Originally Posted by caseychoptop

just looking at the overflow tank for your rad, i have a 400ci smallblock and the rad just has a overflow pipe draining on to the fllor if it overflows, is that not right then

This is the stock setup. Normally, the overflow tube will come out of the radiator, clip onto the side of the battery box and just pour to the floor.

In theory, when your radiator heats up, pressure develops against the spring loaded rubber cork inside the cap, and when it hits a certain PSI (should say on the cap), the rubber cork is pushed up, allowing water to flow into the radiator.

I read recently that the radiator should be able to push/pull water from your resevoir when needed. Still not sure how that works with pulling the water back out of it though.

So, I guess, ultimately the answer is "yes, no overflow tank is normal", but a lot of the guys add them on here.

[72CSTC5]

It's looking good. Coming around.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by shifty

This is the stock setup. Normally, the overflow tube will come out of the radiator, clip onto the side of the battery box and just pour to the floor.

In theory, when your radiator heats up, pressure develops against the spring loaded rubber cork inside the cap, and when it hits a certain PSI (should say on the cap), the rubber cork is pushed up, allowing water to flow into the radiator.

I read recently that the radiator should be able to push/pull water from your resevoir when needed. Still not sure how that works with pulling the water back out of it though.

So, I guess, ultimately the answer is "yes, no overflow tank is normal", but a lot of the guys add them on here.

When water heats up it expands, when it cools it contracts. This contraction creates a vacuum on the resevoir and pulls some water back into the radiator. At least that's how I think it supposed to work.

[caseychoptop]

where can i get one of those overflow tank/tubes????

[shifty]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

When water heats up it expands, when it cools it contracts. This contraction creates a vacuum on the resevoir and pulls some water back into the radiator. At least that's how I think it supposed to work.

I understand how the head + pressure trips the cap/plunger to flow water out of the radiator, I just don't understand how the vacuum after cooling trips the cap/plunger to suck water back in.

[Boise69]

Quick question... the trailing arms and springs you have in the back.... are they stock? maybe dumb question but i have the same set-up on mine and wasn't sure if they are stock or not. i'm just getting to know my truck after 3 years of driving it.

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by shifty

I understand how the head + pressure trips the cap/plunger to flow water out of the radiator, I just don't understand how the vacuum after cooling trips the cap/plunger to suck water back in.

it doesnt at least not when the pressurecap is still in place ....... normally the expansiontank is connected into the coolingsystem without any valves or watever in between .
the tank needs to be only halffull the air in the expensiontank gets compressed when the exess water enters it and pushes the water back intoo the system when it cools back down again .
the expensiontank itself has a blowoffvalve in the cap too but that only works in extreme cases to prevent the tank from blowing up

the only reason to put a tank at the exit end of a blowoff cap is to preserve nature by catching the exess fluid instead of dumping it on the road

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by caseychoptop

where can i get one of those overflow tank/tubes????

summit sells them, manufacturer is billet specialitys

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by Boise69

Quick question... the trailing arms and springs you have in the back.... are they stock? maybe dumb question but i have the same set-up on mine and wasn't sure if they are stock or not. i'm just getting to know my truck after 3 years of driving it.

yes the trailing arms are stock, springs came in the ECE 6" lowering kit

[oscareltemblo]

It's coming along nice good job.

[84 400]

WOW great build up gonna be one killer stepside when done

[70rs/ss]

How are you wiring up the motor, and comp? I have a 6.0 and want it in my 68 short stepper. Love the biuld-up, been watching this and shifty's as well. When you guys finish I should be able to just whip through mine with all of the experience I have gained here!!

[shifty]

Nope, you'll run into your own unique problems. There are a lot of little things that both of us have left out (me, on purpose, or out of laziness) that you'll need to figure out. that's why I pity the person who ever tries to consolidate this info and sell it on eBay as a swap howto (hello, negative feedback! )

What do you mean by "how are you wiring up motor and comp"?? That can be taken many ways - you mean, how are the wires ran, where are you mounting the comp, where did you get the harness, ????

[68 short step]

Originally Posted by 70rs/ss

How are you wiring up the motor, and comp? I have a 6.0 and want it in my 68 short stepper. Love the biuld-up, been watching this and shifty's as well. When you guys finish I should be able to just whip through mine with all of the experience I have gained here!!

the wiring is a harness im doing myself, and the computer will be mounted under the dash (if thats what you're asking)...... you'll have your share of obstacles too.... the easiest part of the swap is the actual mounting the engine trans in the truck.... here is a goood tool to aid in all questions to come www.ls1tech.com the conversion and hybred section....
BTW i met boyd in rockwall TX at a car auction i was attending, i thought he was a jerk, but i can say i met him...

[watahyahknow]

Originally Posted by 68 short step

BTW i met boyd in rockwall TX at a car auction i was attending, i thought he was a jerk, but i can say i met him...

from wat i see in the american hot rod series i can only agree with you , there is a chance that he's different in real life but i have my doubts .
i wouldn't like to work in his shop no matter what they would pay me

[Greubin]

Great build so far!! I noticed the A&P manual, are you working general or commercial av? I was an AP in my former life, prior to 9/11.

Keep up the gr8 work