Project: LS1ick68

[68Stepbed]

First off, let me explain the cheesy name. On every other message forum I'm on and in my email, my username is Slick68. I came up with that name because everyone always told me how slick my truck is/was.

Anyway, the 350 in my 68 is bad and needs replaced. I searched several options and finally found this LS1 from an 02 Camaro from board member, FunkyTechMonkey. It has 40,000 approx. miles on it and it has a Texas Speed MS3 cam installed. I'm afraid the cam will be too big for my purposes, so it will be changed to something a bit more tame. The MS3 cam requires a 3500-3800 stall converter, so I'll get something I can run with about a 2200 stall speed.

As of now, this will be bolted to my current TH350 trans with a 3.07 gear. I'm going to run a carb on it for simplicity. I plan to install the Edelbrock Performer RPM dual plane intake, MSD 6010 ignition control box, and a Holley 670 Street Avenger carb. I also plan to relocate the coil packs and mount the engine as rearward as possible. I'll more than likely run headers of some sort when I can find what I want for a "reasonable" price. Wow, LS headers are pricey!! But, by the time I get some exhaust manifolds, clean them up and have them coated, I'll be close to the same money.

I'm sure I'll explain more as this thread continues, so here's the pics I have as of now. Not much, but I'll add more as I have something more to show.

Unloading from the truck.




Makeshift stand until I found some metric bolts to mount it to the engine stand.




Finally on the stand.

[nibs]

that thing sure is clean and purty! Cant wait to see it in the truck

[68GMCCustom]

sweet truck and build!

[dkauffman05]

Are the rockers loose? A few don't look to be centered.

[mooseknuckles]

she's a beauty!

[68Stepbed]

The heads had already been unbolted, so I took them to a shop where a buddy of mine works. He let me use the tools and parts washer machine. I disassembled them, cleaned everything, lapped the valves and reassembled them.

Nice and clean now!




Time to get to the short block. I'll get it cleaned up and prepped for paint. I'll also start cleaning up the used external parts I'll be getting in.




Picked these up on Saturday, as well. The kit came with clamshell style mounts, but all I may need is the plates, so I'm unsure if I want to use these or just use the plates as templates to have custom ones made.

[clinebarger]

I highly recommend having the heads resurfaced, Looks like a die grinder with abrasive sanding disk was used to clean the head surface?

Cant do that to aluminum heads, I my opinion they need to resurfaced anytime thay are taken off the engine.

[68Stepbed]

We used a scuff pad, not a heavy abrasive wheel. I don't disagree with you, nor am I trying to discredit you in any way. The guy that helped me with this is a highly trained and certified mechanic. He does stuff like this on a daily basis.

I will double check with a machinist before bolting them back on, though. Thanks for the input.

[68Stepbed]

I've got an oil pan, front timing cover, rear cover, flexplate with adapter ring and bolts, an MSD 6010 controller, and coil packs bought from private sellers that should all start rolling in the next few days.

[68Stepbed]

Got a few parts in.




Hood is off and engine/trans. are ready to be pulled. Hopefully it will be out this weekend.

[68GMCCustom]

as nice as that engine compartment is... I think I would have to pull the whole front clip in an effort to save the paint!

[68Stepbed]

It's doable without scratching paint if I'm VERY careful.

I tried getting the engine/trans out together on my lunch break today and that's not gonna happen. It would if my garage door was about 6" higher.

[clinebarger]

You are aware the front cover, rear cover & oil pan need to be aligned proporly?

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

You are aware the front cover, rear cover & oil pan need to be aligned proporly?

Yes. I'll cross that bridge when I get closer. What's the best literature for instructions on how to do this? GM service manual?

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by 68Stepbed

Yes. I'll cross that bridge when I get closer. What's the best literature for instructions on how to do this? GM service manual?

Any/All GM literature will call for a Kent Moore J-43145 Gen III sevice tool set, I bought mine years ago for about $500, Not sure what they run now.

[68Stepbed]

OK, I got the old engine/trans out Friday evening. I was going to wait until Saturday morning, but the weather man said Friday would be somewhat nice(at least for Feburary) with a high of around 50 deg. But, it was supposed to start raining late Friday night and turn into snow, then the high for Sat. was only going to be around 34 deg. I know for some of you guys up north, that's probably t-shirt weather but for us southern boys, that's just too dang cold!! Especially for me. I'm turning into a bit of a wuss when it comes to cold weather. :embarrassed: So, I pulled the engine while the weather was tolerable.

Almost out!


Finally out!!



Looks like I have a lot of degreasing to do.




TH350 in all it's grimy glory.


I'm not so sure if I'm gonna stay with the TH350 now, though. It was built in 2001 and has served me well and has no issues, but it has started leaking alot in the past couple weeks of just sitting. I'm sure it could use all new seals and gaskets, a filter change, and an overall checkup. All of this is gonna run me about $200. I'm also going to have to change to some kind of stall converter, which will be about another +/-$200. That's going to be about $400 in this trans. and I can get a 700R4 built for about $900. I figure I might as well just spend the extra money on the 700R4 and be done with it.

[68Stepbed]

Some more parts in!

Here's the adapter kit to mate the engine to an older trans.


coil packs


windage tray and pickup tube


rear cover



MSD 6010 ignition controller

[oldblue1968chevy]

Wow how ddid you get that out without scratching paint

And this thing just got way nicer. Good luck with the swap! I'll see it oneday

[68Stepbed]

A little progress.

Coil relocation brackets made.






Made a valley cover out of 1/4" aluminum sheet and painted. I made this because the factory LS1 valley cover has 2 large holes for knock sensors. I also used button head bolts for a cleaner look.


Oil pan painted Cast Coat Aluminum. Front Cover painted a cast iron color. Hard to tell the difference in these pics.

[mooseknuckles]

looks good!...where do you plan on mounting the coils?....

[68Stepbed]

On the back of the head if I have room. The engine will be sitting approx. 3 3/4" rearward than the old 350, so it's gonna need test fitting before I decide for sure.

[oldblue1968chevy]

I didnt check this thread at first because the goofy name haha.

Its gonna look great when its done. When do you hope to have it all back on the road?

[68GMCCustom]

coil mount brackets look nice and simple. with what companies are charging for coil relocation setups...you could make some money by undercutting them...like $99 or something. Seems like most are over $150... up to $300 or so.

[68Stepbed]

Originally Posted by oldblue1968chevy

I didnt check this thread at first because the goofy name haha.

Its gonna look great when its done. When do you hope to have it all back on the road?

Thanks, John. I'm hoping for the end of March or early April.

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

coil mount brackets look nice and simple. with what companies are charging for coil relocation setups...you could make some money by undercutting them...like $99 or something. Seems like most are over $150... up to $300 or so.

I found some similar on ebay for $60, but then shipping and Paypal fees would've put me in them over $80. Alot of other companies sell kits with wires included, but the wires are routed different or they include red wires. I personally just don't care for colored plug wires anymore. I've found it's cleaner and more simple looking with black plug wires put into some nice looms.

These brackets actually only cost me about $3 in bolts, washers and nuts becasue my dad had the aluminum strips laying around. The aluminum would still only cost me about $10 or so.

[68Stepbed]

Got a few more parts.

Wonder what's in the big box?


New trans crossmember! My old one was going to rub the x-pipe, so I needed one that sat level or just above frame rail height.



2010 Camaro SS manifolds. I got a decent deal on these. I figure if they're good for 430 HP LS3s, they'll be fine on my LS1. Plus, I didn't have to buy $500 headers. They came with heat shields, but I'll leave them off. I may knock down the mounting tabs and smoth these off when I know for a fact they will work.


Got some stock 5.3 valve covers. Here they are cleaned up and the coil pack mounting tabs removed.


Filled the holes with JB Weld. I plan to just paint these and run them for now. I may get some dressier VCs later.


Test fitting stuff. here's the motor mounts and adapter plates.


Manifolds held on with a couple bolts.


And here's the stock frame stands just bolted to the mounts. I have about 1/4" clearance on the drivers side, but they rub on the pass. side.



So, I ordered these to take of that problem.
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...RACKETS-16820/

Not pictured yet is the starter I received last week. I've bought a used custom COMP Cam and a truck accessory drive system from private sellers on LS1Tech.com. They should be on their way. I'm going to order my intake, fuel pump, and aluminum radiator today. Hopefully they will be in by the end of the week!