Carolina K10, 1979 Reg cab short bed.

[NastyBuzzard]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Makes sense! It'll be a lot easier to diagnose the real gremlins.


Got the adapter plates for the motor mounts. Now it's down to getting a trans so I can get this engine out of my garage and in the truck!

Very nice.. Let me know how those work please! I am in need of a set myself! Or could take measurements and I could make my own haha.

[rusty76]

Can't wait to see that engine in your truck soon as well.!

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Can't wait to see that engine in your truck soon as well.!

It's all I can think about. I have driven a few trucks with the 5.3 and they are impressive! I definitely think I will be happy with this setup.

[rusty76]

Then you can come by and pick me up for a ride....haha. I think you will be very happy.

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by rusty76

Then you can come by and pick me up for a ride....haha. I think you will be very happy.

I've got a Carolina beach trip planned with the girlfriend towards the end of June. I'd like to have it done by then. I know it's asking a lot to have it done especially since I have to balance a full time job, the Army reserves, house projects, going to the gym every night, etc. But if I can do it it'll definitely be worth it.

[rusty76]

Man we are going down to Kure first of June, lol. Dag gone it. It'll be a push to get it done but I bet you can do it though. Put your work ethic and mind to it and you'd be surprised what one can do.

[TheBlueBomber]

Today is one hell of a day off. Got the ball joints done in the Z71. Hit the gym up and now I'm starting some brake/axle/suspension work in the front. Going to get the truck aligned tonight and then it's all hands (and funds) on deck for the K10!!! More pictures to come.

[NastyBuzzard]

Looking good!

[1963c-10]

Nice work Austin

[TheBlueBomber]

Alright so I swapped all of the boggers onto the white steel rims and mounted the Wranglers onto the chrome wheels. I have 1 brand new Mickey Thompson ATZ that I put on as well and I am planning on getting a second since 2 of the MT/Rs are in good condition. Mismatched tires are the least of my worries right now...





Last night I was washing the Z71 and I had a little soap left over




Picked up this 40k rebuilt 4l60e today. I know, I know its not the 80 I was talking about earlier but if I plan on putting some serious HP in this truck later down the line I'd rather have a manual tranny. A deal is a deal and I grabbed it so I can get this puppy rolling down the road soon. Came with a torque converter






Broken neutral safety switch




clean clean




Transfer case mocked up




Looks good, smells good, must be good!!

[TheBlueBomber]

So now that the drive train is complete my plan of attack is getting it mounted in the truck, reinstalling the front clip, wiring harness, linkage, fuel system, brakes/axles, misc., tune, and then hopefully crank!!!

[rusty76]

Looking good!

[TheBlueBomber]

Went out this morning and put the tires on. These ought to ride better than the boggers. Ordering some motor mounts and am looking for headers. I'm positive the stock manifolds are going to hit the frame. Did some rough measuring and I don't think they will clear.

[rusty76]

Wheels look good.

[bohmankid]

Nice.

[TheBlueBomber]

Thanks, those wheels near about killed me today. Working in the hot sun with a 4 way... just about all the studs need to be replaced and are crooked so I have to muscle the nuts back on.

Won't be long till my motor mounts get here and I can bolt everything down. Next on my list is for me to dig out the cross member for the trans so I can clean that up and paint it.

[TheBlueBomber]

Picked up some motor mount brackets yesterday. I consider them my 21st birthday present to myself. Just need the rubber mounts and bolts and I will be able to set everything in. Aiming for Monday to have the drive train bolted down.

Last week my Mother killed her transmission about an hour and a half away. The overdrive planetary went and took everything with it. Complete over haul for that trans... My family is all about killing some transmissions haha.

[NastyBuzzard]

My favorite presents are the ones I get for myself!! Sorry about the trans I know all about bad luck with them.

[rusty76]

Oh well.....but happy early or late birthday dude.

[C@rnut001]

I have to say good luck on getting your truck together. I like the direction you are going with it. Keep it up and thanks for the updates that you give us. I like the chrome wheels that you added too.

[y5mgisi]

Originally Posted by TheBlueBomber

Ordering some motor mounts and am looking for headers. I'm positive the stock manifolds are going to hit the frame. Did some rough measuring and I don't think they will clear.

Stock manifolds cleared on my 5.3 swap in my 90 suburban. Trail blazer SS maifolds clear good, and F body manifolds cealr good. A guy on another site just used these headers and cleared nice.

Schoenfeld 1302LS1

[TheBlueBomber]

Originally Posted by y5mgisi

Stock manifolds cleared on my 5.3 swap in my 90 suburban. Trail blazer SS maifolds clear good, and F body manifolds cealr good. A guy on another site just used these headers and cleared nice.

Sweet. I started painting the headers just in case they were to fit. They are drying black right now but will end up being silver by the time I put them on.

I kicked today off by cleaning the garage and making all of this mess dissappear.


Got the motor mount brackets from my buddy and the rest from car quest, advance, an napa.


I definitely am going to have to fab something up with this cross member. If I bolt it right in there will be no possible way for me to run a front driveshaft. I will see where everything ends up before I make a decision to run a spacer between the cross member and transmission or to fab up a new cross member.


Can see the gap needed for the driveshaft to clear


Here's the back of the TH350... big difference than the 4l60e

[TheBlueBomber]

Finished cleaning, mocking, and making a list for lowes on misc. Bolts and I finally got the truck down the driveway. Something is going on with the passenger side of the front axle. When I turn it hard left it binds up a little bit. Thinking back I remember it doing that and I just figured the transfercase was still in 4 high... I'll pull that wheel off later and find out what is going on.

Here's the truck getting blocked in the driveway. Had to recruit my Dad and friend to help get it there.




Can see the motor waiting patiently in the back.


A little poser shot from the Z71... and yes I know it needs some paint lol.

[TheBlueBomber]

Mounts and cross member are drying black now. This was from earlier


I used rust Oleum semi gloss black... well see how they turn out in the morning. Seemed to dry very sticky.


Like I mentioned earlier, the manifolds will end up silver. Painted them real quick to prevent rusting.




Stupid can made a big mess

[TheBlueBomber]

Made some progress yesterday. Got the motor sitting in the frame and found out those adapter plates I bought were for the older style GM motor mount not the clam shell style... so I ordered an adjustable set from Dirty Dingo Motorsports and they should be here Wednesday or Thursday.





My buddy Warren approves of this ride haha. Replaced the rear main seal once it was off of the stand.


Everything bolted together ready to be sat in.






And this is where we figure out the plates won't work.