Finally starting my 5.3 swap!!

[dman1982]

Put

[ivorton74]

update...got my radiator finally. also have the egr block off kit for the exhaust manifolds, freeze plug for the egr in the intake, lower rad hose, coolant, tranny fluid, silicone coupler for my cai filter and radiator cap. Just need my driveshaft and throttle cable and that's about it.

[dman1982]

Sounds like your moving along man

[ivorton74]

Oh yeah its comin down to the wire

[dman1982]

i gotta install some gauges and do a u-joint...then I'm pretty much done with the ls part lol

[ivorton74]

feels good doesn't it? I still gotta get the cable x for the speedo but ill get that later on. ill use my gps or my phone app for a speedometer for the time being. I really wish I could get those vhx digital gauges but damn...not that bloody expensive they are....

[AGearHead4Life]

Originally Posted by ivorton74

feels good doesn't it? I still gotta get the cable x for the speedo but ill get that later on. ill use my gps or my phone app for a speedometer for the time being. I really wish I could get those vhx digital gauges but damn...not that bloody expensive they are....

Not sure if you gauge cluster is similar to my 84 but I was able to use a 90 suburban speedo since they're digital. The signal didnt have to be converted or anything. Just ran a wire from my LS harness to it.

[ivorton74]

I thought about swapping clusters but I wanted to keep my 100mph speedo. Im also thinking of getting some autometer gauges too.

[dman1982]

Originally Posted by ivorton74

feels good doesn't it? I still gotta get the cable x for the speedo but ill get that later on. ill use my gps or my phone app for a speedometer for the time being. I really wish I could get those vhx digital gauges but damn...not that bloody expensive they are....

Yup!!! GPS goes in and out on my phone...here is the gauges I went with

[ivorton74]

update...SHE'S ALIVE!!!!...heard her run for the first time today and im just straight up excited. its just a matter of time before shes on the road. the only thing is that sound I hear from the starter(the sounds of metal on metal) is there when the engine is running. my buddy thinks I probably didn't tighten the flywheel properly so we gotta check that out. Also there's a fuel leak from the line running from the pump to the rail...its leaking right at the pump end. and then I lost the fittings for my trans cooler line to go into the radiator. still have a little more work to do but that engine running is a HUGE breakthrough.

heres the video of the motor starting...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZEg...ature=youtu.be

[BR3W CITY]

Haha, and he even says "we need to fix the flywheel" in the video. What method did you use to tighten it? Its annoying, but you really gotta do the "tighten, turn 180, repeat" method. It will take probably 30 minutes with it all in the truck. Take all the plugs out, have your buddy turn the crank with a breaker, you tighten.

[ivorton74]

I just tightened em like u tighten a regular bolt...didn't know there is a method to tighten flywheel bolts lol...man that's gonna suck having to take the dang tranny out again...oh well...its a learning process

[ls1nova71]

Why isn't the fan turning in the video? Looks like it has a belt on it?

[dman1982]

very good question

[dayj1]

Originally Posted by ivorton74

the only thing is that sound I hear from the starter(the sounds of metal on metal) is there when the engine is running. my buddy thinks I probably didn't tighten the flywheel properly so we gotta check that out.

Do you remember what torque converter to flexplate bolts you used? They're something goofy like 17 mm long. If you buy a "standard" 20 mm long bolts at the parts store, they'll bottom out in the hole before they actually tighten down on the flexplate but they're so close it's hard to tell. The result is a flexplate that rattles like crazy. Ask me how I know

[ivorton74]

I cant remember what bolts used for the torque converter...hopefully next time i go to the shop we'll get that sorted. The fan wasnt turning because the hose for the tranny cooler line was in the way n i forgot to move it lol

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by ivorton74

I just tightened em like u tighten a regular bolt...didn't know there is a method to tighten flywheel bolts lol...man that's gonna suck having to take the dang tranny out again...oh well...its a learning process

lol, I don't mean the "lefty loosey", I mean the order in which the bolts were done. (4l80e's use more flywheel bolts so the process is longer). When you do a rim/tire, you do the "across" or "star" tightening pattern. When you do head bolts, you torque them in pattern...same goes for the flywheel.

Usually, you tighen a bolt, spin the whole mass 180* and tighten the next bolt. Keep going around 180* at a time, until all of them are spec'd. This makes sure the flywheel stays true all the way around, and doesn't get flexed too much to one side.

[ivorton74]

Ohhhh i didnt know that...like i said its a learning process

[ivorton74]

I was watching a video about torque converter bolts and realized something...I forgot to put in the converter to flywheel bolts....I feel like a dumba** now lol

[ivorton74]

Well made some progress today...put the cab bolts back in..just have to tighten the ones by the front bumper. Also put in the converter bolts so now when I start it the metal on metal sound is gone. Should have my driveshaft back in a day or two.
I am stuck on a few things though. First my b&m shifter...I need to change something inside to make it work with the 4l60 but I have no idea what it is. Also how do I hook up the linkage to the transmission?

Second I still figure how to mount the stupid fuse block. The only place I can mount it because the wiring is short is on the inner fender well. What can I use to mount it without messing up the wiring? I have to drill a hole in the firewall to run some wires in. where's the best place to drill without hitting something?

Last thing is my fan shroud wont fit cuz the motor is closer to the rad now. Can I run the clutch fan without a shroud? I figured its not a big deal since both my Datsuns run without em and they have no overheating issues...and they're both in the Caribbean where its way hotter than here.

[AGearHead4Life]

You can run with no shroud. Just keep an eye on the temperature while driving it around for awhile. Make sure the fan is doing its job, especially at stop light. I ran mine with no shroud for a while until I converted to electric fans.

[dman1982]

For your fuse block make a spacer and bolt it to your fender well, then run some loom around the wires so the don't rub against the metal

[ivorton74]

ill monitor the temp gauge...maybe I might convert to electric fans eventually. what can I use to make a spacer for the fuse block though?

[Root2812]

ivorton, I like your little fusebox/relay combo. did you do your own harness? Where did you pick that up? What do you have for relays?

Thanks for any info you can give. I am just starting to tackle my harness and I feel lost.

[ivorton74]

My buddy did the harness at his shop...it was the harness that came with the motor...he ordered the blocks and set all that stuff up. I believe those relays are xpress 40 amps...ill have to look again. that harness was too complexed for me to do myself.