J.M. Laflamme Build

[drivea55]

Thanks!

Here's another pic of the chassis, I love lookin at this thing

A fun pic of my uncle horsing around.

And, finally... A couple pics of the door fit getting closer and closer.

I can see the light coming on this drivers side. The pass. side has the exact same issues. With that being said, it should be a tad bit easier to do the second time around if you will.

Thanks for looking.

Brian

[drivea55]

Before going any further, we decided it would be best to get the final fit with the cab bolted down on the chassis.

We spent the day working on the belly and firewall to get it all sealed up so we can bolt her down

[drivea55]

here is how she stands as of days end.

This is pretty close to where the rocker ride height will be. I likey!!!

Brian

[Kim57]

Looking good Brian.
Kim

[drivea55]

thanks Kim as always...

Working hard on the dash reconfiguring all the dash switches and lighting etc. We decided to use the 92"s wiring harness and some updated switches out of it.

I have a few surprises coming as to how I am going to use some stock buttons for more modern uses.

Also, I have decided that since the 1 piece serpentine belt bracket fits the older block... This is what we are going to use.

It will be nice to have 1 belt for everything. Things are working out pretty good. Not going to be much pictures coming but a lot of small progress with all the wiring and such.

Be back with pics soon enough.

Brian

[drivea55]

Well folks...

here it is! 1 belt for all!!!

what is nice is all the donor parts fit right in their stock position. This helped with aligning of everything being a lot easier than fabricating mounts. i can go to parts store and order a belt for a 92 chevy and poof! there it is...

I have an edelbrock performer carb coming from ebay en route! i am hoping to have this thing test fired up for piece of mind really soon.

Thanks for looking!

brian

[OrrieG]

reverse flow water pump?
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[drivea55]

so you see something I do not?

I just got this put together and lost the schematic showing how the belt goes. is it wrong?

the water pump is off the newer motor from the donor vehicle.

what am I missing here???

Can you be a tad more elaborate???

Thanks!

Brian

[drivea55]

Looks like the picture...

[Kim57]

Originally Posted by drivea55

so you see something I do not?

I just got this put together and lost the schematic showing how the belt goes. is it wrong?

the water pump is off the newer motor from the donor vehicle.

what am I missing here???

Can you be a tad more elaborate???

Thanks!

Brian

With the serpentine system the pump turns in the opposite direction of the crank, the older systems it turned in the same direction this is why you need a reverse flow pump.
If it came from the vehicle you got the brackets from I would think you are fine.
Kim

[drivea55]

Originally Posted by Kim57

With the serpentine system the pump turns in the opposite direction of the crank, the older systems it turned in the same direction this is why you need a reverse flow pump.
If it came from the vehicle you got the brackets from I would think you are fine.
Kim

Kim,

Thank You for the explanation !!!

After doing some research, it appears I will only need a reverse flow thermostat and I should be good to go since I used the newer pump.

I am sure learning as I go here.

Thanks again,

Brian

[BlueJeep]

I've never seen that bracket configuration before, what's that off of? Everyone I've seen (late 80's up until vortec) either has an A/C compressor high on the passenger side or has an A/C delete pulley in it's place, but it appears your tensioner has a larger pulley than I'm used to seeing.

I'm also not used to seeing stamped steel brackets unless it's 87-88...they're usually cast aluminum.

[drivea55]

Originally Posted by BlueJeep

I've never seen that bracket configuration before, what's that off of? Everyone I've seen (late 80's up until vortec) either has an A/C compressor high on the passenger side or has an A/C delete pulley in it's place, but it appears your tensioner has a larger pulley than I'm used to seeing.

I'm also not used to seeing stamped steel brackets unless it's 87-88...they're usually cast aluminum.

Lower pass. side had a bracket for some kind of pump. I trimmed the stamped steel bracket to my liking.

other than that, this is a stock configuration right off a 4x4 truck that was either an 88 or 89.

Brian

[sgtusmc]

Here's a pic of mine I took before I painted the engine (1988, 5.7 350). Lower pass side is where the smog pump was. You can see mine is still there. You might have an issue without it. Something about the distance between the two pullies causes the belt to vibrate. This is what I was told by a few guys in C1500 at a car show. I noticed they were running smog delete pullies so I asked. I can't speak first hand on it though, since I haven't gotten that far yet.

[drivea55]

interesting!

I had this configuration running off the donor truck before I dismantled it.

I am very confident that it will function just fine as it did on the other engine.

Thanks for your input!

Brian

[BlueJeep]

sgtusmc's brackets are the ones I'm used to seeing. You can get a delete pulley for the a/c and in Iowa we didn't have smog pumps. Some had an idler pulley between the a/c and the crank and some didn't.

[drivea55]

not sure why I would want a delete pulley when this has a stock belt on it without needing anything extra.

working on running brake lines and fuel lines a long with picking at the dash.

update with pics soon.

Brian

[spousta]

Great use of resources, keep it up looks like its turning out pretty solid.

[drivea55]

Originally Posted by spousta

Great use of resources, keep it up looks like its turning out pretty solid.

Thanks Man!

Finally got her running today, finally got all the drive line back in and setup correctly.

Open headers right now, Still figuring out what type exhaust to run. so no it will not sound like that when finished.

teaser video...

click picture to open new window

[waybad]

yeee haaaaaa!!! nothing like the first start!!! congrats!!!

[drivea55]

Originally Posted by waybad

yeee haaaaaa!!! nothing like the first start!!! congrats!!!

Thanks Dude!

I am jumping outta my pants with excitement!

next is to get her to move on her own power outta the shop.

Brian

[Kim57]

That is so cool.
Kim

[drivea55]

Originally Posted by Kim57

That is so cool.
Kim

Thanks Kim!

Hit gold at the bone yard today, scored a nice tight tilt column out of a silverado a long with a floor e-brake out of a firebird.

I think I am going to use the stock column shifter and linkage for now. It all lines up and can be changed in the future.

The wiring harness is almost all deciphered enough to get it in and see how it goes.

oh yes, do not forget the ground straps... lol!

thanks for looking,

Brian

[G&R's57GMC]

Brian,

Its been since July for the last post of this great project.

Inquiring minds want to know whats been going on ?

[drivea55]

Thanks for the inquiry!

We made such an extreme progress this year with the build that I temporarilly ran out of funds.

Winter is coming and next work slated is full wiring and having to recut the firewall. We decided to put back in the stock hinges.

I am eager to dive back in!

Again, thanks for your inquiry, it feels good to know people are keeping up with the build.

You guys are great!

Brian
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