New guy with 52 AD project.

[ratrodmiller]

Did you end up going with a ls1 oilpan? I had to my truck was kickstanding on that truck oilpan!
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[52 Rat]

Originally Posted by ratrodmiller

Did you end up going with a ls1 oilpan? I had to my truck was kickstanding on that truck oilpan!
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Well I'm a bit frustrated with the build today. I made three trips to the parts house today trying to make a lower radiator hose work. No luck finding a hose to fit. I even tried a universal flex hose. The radiator is so close to the water neck on the thermostat housing. I'm open for suggestions. I will post some pics later.

[derail]

I like to bend a coat hanger to the shape I need and take it with me to the parts house. Usually they'll let you come around the counter and look at what they've got to see if you can find one with similar bends. Even if the bends that you need are in the middle of a hose, you could always just cut the ends off.

[BlueJeep]

Originally Posted by 52 Rat

Well I'm a bit frustrated with the build today. I made three trips to the parts house today trying to make a lower radiator hose work. No luck finding a hose to fit. I even tried a universal flex hose. The radiator is so close to the water neck on the thermostat housing. I'm open for suggestions. I will post some pics later.

Try cutting up some exhaust "U" bends in the size you need, then use rubber to connect to the radiator and to the motor. I did this on mine when the bend was too tight for the flex hose, worked great.

[52 Rat]

The lower hose angles are sharp and short. The water neck needs to be pointing down. This way I could go with a short 90 degree hose. I'm searching for a LS series water necks that may offer different outlet locations.

[jtwilson]

i like all of it chief

[Rude Dude]

I go to lowes or home depot and buy small rigid duct stuff and use it for mock up for hoses then take it to auto parts store to match curves

[52 Rat]

I put my thinking cap on today and came up with a solution to my lower rad hose issue. I removed the water neck and rotated it down. Since the LS style water neck is flat across the surface and uses a O ring to seal, it can be clocked to another position. I will make two aluminum tabs/clamps to spread the pressure across the water neck to create a good seal. I spent an hour in the parts house today looking for a hose with the correct bends. I found a hose that worked and only used a small section of the hose.

[99 to Life]

I was going to suggest a different angled neck. I don't know much about the LS engines yet, but it is good to know you can move it like that. Glad it worked out.

[reaper71]

looking real nice!!

Mark...

[52 Rat]

Originally Posted by reaper71

looking real nice!!

Mark...

Thanks Mark.

[Kabwe]

Looking really good.

[52 Rat]

Man, I can't get enough of this build!
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[52 Rat]

Originally Posted by Kabwe

Looking really good.

Man, I can't get enough of your build project. I've been following your project since the first thread post. (sorry, I screwed up my first reply)

[ratrodmiller]

You get that radiator hose. Man looking very nice. I like your trailing arms good idea..
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[not2oldchevy]

Super truck!!!! I am doing about the same thing- 53/5.3/4l60/flat out c4 ifs. Did you have to do any mods on the radiator or was it just bolt in? Oh yeah do you rember the number the part # for the lower hose? Thanks Bill

[52 Rat]

Originally Posted by ratrodmiller

You get that radiator hose. Man looking very nice. I like your trailing arms good idea..
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Yes, I finally found a hose that worked. I had to unbolt the water neck and clock it down. My brother is going to machine me some aluminum clamps for the water neck. I made a 1-1/2 ID hose go on a 1-3/4 radiator neck.

Originally Posted by not2oldchevy

Super truck!!!! I am doing about the same thing- 53/5.3/4l60/flat out c4 ifs. Did you have to do any mods on the radiator or was it just bolt in? Oh yeah do you rember the number the part # for the lower hose? Thanks Bill

Thanks! The radiator is a direct bolt in for a 47-54. I think I reference the ebay link where I purchased it in some of the previous threads. I purchased it from Reliable Radiator. I did save the part number from the radiator hose and will get that for you. I'm sure there is a 1-3/4 to 1-1/2 hose that would work but I got tired of standing in the parts house looking for hoses. I only used a small section of a long hose. I shoe-horned the 1-1/2 hose on the 1-3/4 radiator neck. The upper radiator hose combo is an 88-96 Chevy truck 5.7 lower hose. The smaller hose is a Mazda Miata lower hose.

[52 Rat]

Got the headers back from Nitro Plate and they look awesome. The quality of the coating inside and out is amazing. I will get some pics when I get them installed. I decided to go with stainless studs and stover nuts to lock the headers down. To give you an idea of how much I saved over ARP. The ARP stainless header stud kit was around $100. I went to the local fastener supply house, picked up some stainless M8 studs and stover nuts; total cost $12. The key here is to used a liberal amount of anti-seize on the studs and nuts. Stainless has a tendency to gauld.

[52 Rat]

I installed the headers this afternoon but some of the plug wire boots are on the header tubes or very close. I had not planned on purchasing plug wires but I guess I will. I'm looking at the MSD 32829's that allows for a 45 degree bend at the boot.

[crob35]

I have these wires on My 5.3 with headers and they touch the headers. 45 is at the coil.

[52 Rat]

Originally Posted by crob35

I have these wires on My 5.3 with headers and they touch the headers. 45 is at the coil.

You have which wires, the GM wires or MSD 32829? The rep I spoke with at MSD said their plug wire boot is straight but will bend to a 45 degree angle and stay at a 45.

[crob35]

msd. i will let u know on saturday if they will?

[52 Rat]

Originally Posted by crob35

msd. i will let u know on saturday if they will?

Take a few photos and post them if you can.

[crob35]

They do bend. Gone upload some pics

[52 Rat]

Well, I took care of the plug wire rubbing the header issue. I purchased the MSD wires that can be bent at the plug boot. I also got the down pipes TIG welded (stainless exhaust) and the O2 bungs installed. I also installed the X pipe and laid out the exhaust and mufflers. I installed the PSI stand alone wiring harness today and sent the ECU off yesterday to be re-flashed (reprogrammed). I hope to have if fired up next weekend if all goes well.