55 2nd serie GMC

[hotrodrookie]

Bummer about the intake, if it doesnt fit cut and weld it again.. Yesterday I mounted my engine and tranny for the first time and using the truck oil pan on the 5.3 I came out having 7 inches of ground clearance. I made some adapter plates from 1/2 inch plate and welded them to the camaro motor mounts. I did buy some headers off ebay that were for an escalade (ended at 99 cents!) and my passenger side tubes hit the control arm so they are gonna need to be shortened at the flange. The driver fits very similar to your passenger, I need to cut the collecter off and bend the tubes inwards.

Did your MAF come with your engine or where did you buy it? I need one

[JML55]

Originally Posted by hotrodrookie

Bummer about the intake, if it doesnt fit cut and weld it again.. Yesterday I mounted my engine and tranny for the first time and using the truck oil pan on the 5.3 I came out having 7 inches of ground clearance. I made some adapter plates from 1/2 inch plate and welded them to the camaro motor mounts. I did buy some headers off ebay that were for an escalade (ended at 99 cents!) and my passenger side tubes hit the control arm so they are gonna need to be shortened at the flange. The driver fits very similar to your passenger, I need to cut the collecter off and bend the tubes inwards.

Did your MAF come with your engine or where did you buy it? I need one

MAF came with the complete truck motor and wiring harness i got. I found that the truck oil pan was hanging lower then the crossmember by about 3 ", i didn't want to take a chance that it would hit something so i when with the camaro pan that is actually above the lowest part of the crossmember by about 1/2".

[jjjmm56]

How do you like that foward mount hood hinge. Can you align the hood any easier, and do you still use the hood latch?

[JML55]

Originally Posted by jjjmm56

How do you like that foward mount hood hinge. Can you align the hood any easier, and do you still use the hood latch?

I like it, it uses the original latch, adjustment and alignment is fairly easy after you play with it for a while. The hood open the same way as before, after it pops out of the latch you pull it forward about 10" then you grab the back corner and lift it up to tilt it forward.

[jjjmm56]

Do you have any close up pics of the hinge. I would like to see if I can make one

[JML55]

Originally Posted by jjjmm56

Do you have any close up pics of the hinge. I would like to see if I can make one

Check this link http://www.customclassictrucks.com/t...ood/index.html This is the exact kit i have, they have very good pictures of the installation. Because i have a Canadian GMC truck (they are not build quite the same as the Chevys) i had to modified a couple of small things. First my crossbrace is mounted the other way around (maybe they have theirs mounted backward in the tech article) and i welded the hinge bearing mounts to the front of the rad crattle brackets instead of bolting them on.

[JML55]

Worked all day today at redesigning my air box, i think i got it still needs some fine tuning but i like the way it turned out and every things clears the hood hinge system. Also install horn and overflow tank on the other side of the rad.

[Kim57]

Looking good.
Kim

[GRIMSS]

Nice work on the air box.

[Coronas56]

Nice Job, keep up the great work!

[ChuckDriver]

Nicely done! Do you think you'll be driving it soon?

[JML55]

Originally Posted by ChuckDriver

Nicely done! Do you think you'll be driving it soon?

I'm hoping to get the engine running soon, (never heard it run yet) still need fuel pump and computer reprogram. I haven't found a decent body man yet ether, the list of things to do is getting shorter but there is still lots to do.

[hotrodrookie]

So are you going to run the PA 4 fuel pump from tanks? Let me know how it fits in your tank and please dont skimp on the details... As you know Im going to make my tank and run the same pump. I kind of based my tank demensions off of the one you bought. thanks

[JML55]

Here is the latest, finally took some time to modified the pass side header. cut the collector flange off give it more angle and extended it 4 inches. the pictures shows before and after mod. I still have to reshape the frame control arm brace but that the easy part.

[hotrodrookie]

That intake looks slick, Im gona eventually have to do something similar.
Is that extension tube stainless? Are you going to tig weld it?

[JML55]

Originally Posted by hotrodrookie

That intake looks slick, Im gona eventually have to do something similar.
Is that extension tube stainless? Are you going to tig weld it?

I used a chrome tailpipe tip i had laying around the shop. Yes i will get it tig weld today at my workplace.

[purplehavoc]

Nice work with the intake.
Any other plans for cleaning up the top end of the 5.3? or using a stock cover?

[JML55]

Originally Posted by purplehavoc

Nice work with the intake.
Any other plans for cleaning up the top end of the 5.3? or using a stock cover?

So far all i have is the truck vortec cover but i heard the Cadillac cover is pretty nice. I may be looking for one of those.

[ambryatim]

Originally Posted by JML55

Here are some pics of modification that personify this project to me. High mounted third brake light. Steering column out of a 85 Chevy van. Brake booster and pedal setup out of 99 Chevy van and a custom aluminum rad.

Awesome work and great fab skills.

I have a question about the column and the pedals. Ok, I have a column out of a 92 truck, and it has all the goodies, tilt, cruise (will be running a 5.3L), signals, pulse wipers and shifter....will I be able to use this or will it be to long??? It also look like you used the orginal mounting bracket on the column and bolted it to the dash???

As for the pedal assembley.....would one from an older van say 92-95 work also??? And were these full sized vans or the astros???

Tim

[50adrod]

Originally Posted by JML55

So far all i have is the truck vortec cover but i heard the Cadillac cover is pretty nice. I may be looking for one of those.

you can use the 6.0 vortec max engine cover. I will be painting mine. similar to the cadi cover.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by 50adrod

you can use the 6.0 vortec max engine cover. I will be painting mine. similar to the cadi cover.

What's a vortec max? I have never seen that style of engine cover.

[JML55]

Originally Posted by ambryatim

Awesome work and great fab skills.

I have a question about the column and the pedals. Ok, I have a column out of a 92 truck, and it has all the goodies, tilt, cruise (will be running a 5.3L), signals, pulse wipers and shifter....will I be able to use this or will it be to long??? It also look like you used the original mounting bracket on the column and bolted it to the dash???

As for the pedal assembly.....would one from an older van say 92-95 work also??? And were these full sized vans or the astros???

Tim

Thanks, i don't know about the newer column but I'm sure anythings is possible with a little fabrication. I made my own column brackets. All my parts are from full size van.

[purplehavoc]

The vortec max came out a few years back.You got the 6.0L in a half ton instead of the 2 smaller V8's.
Came with a fe other options,larger mirrors,tranny,brakes.All that good stuff.

[50adrod]

mine is from a 2007 LQ9 6.0 motor, the max was a higher performance version of the 6.0, 387 hp if I remember right. the max cover has vortec Max on it. theese covers are available from your local chevy dealer and sometimes on ebay. it was around 120 -150 for all 3 pieces.

[JML55]

Small progress this weekend but everything counts. Notched control arm boss to clear pass side header, also did a little body work on the rear fenders. Striped all the paint off and got one with epoxy primer.