68 GMC LS1 Conversion ** HELP ME or SHOOT ME **

[Thrmn8r]

All I can say now is shoot me.
Truck was fine .. but got a hair up my butt.
The 1968 3/4 ton long bed.. is now going to be a 1/2 ton, short bed with a 67 cab, and a 2002 LS1 5.3l Vortec with the matching 4l60e Tranny.
Problem at the time being is the motor mounts.
I have purchased adapter plates from Trans Dapt that move the motor back 1" to match stock.
It came with new mounts that mount to motor.
Ordered the "tubular motor mounts from Classic Parts..
Problem is this.
Put all that stuff on. .and no way in Heck that I can drop motor with out it hitting the stock exhaust manifolds that came on motor.
they literally rest on the top of the tubular mounts before it can make contact with the actual motor mount. I have mad my own extensions/ spacers to go with the stock motor mounts.. but don't think they will work either due to wiring harness hitting steering bar.

Some one please tell me I need to spend another 1 billion dollars on custom headers or something..
I took off the exhaust manifolds.. and motor sets on mounts, but what I made will not work.. and will have to go with the "tubular small block motor mounts" with new style motor mount bushings.
No where does it say.. "new headers are required, stock exhaust manifolds will not work" I am done buyin stuff I don't need, and having stuff I do need and not knowing how to make it work with what I got .
UGHHHHH
If I need headers.. some one tell me what I need. or just give me a bullet !!
This is just the beginning.
I have heard of horror stories on fuel issues and wiring issues.. I just want it to sit in the freakin frame so I can enjoy those other headaches !!!
** first pic should be of the mounts.
Second should be of the motor on make shift mounts.. and cab sittin on frame to check for clearance..
third is the spacer plates I tried.
Any ways.. help..
Also.. if ya know what I need to do to hook up the tranny linkage.. that will be coming up soon !

[sleepertruck72]

You wana say some last words Just kidding. I THINK I read in another thread that the manifolds from a Trailblazer SS will clear the mounts...

[67C10BUB]

Doug Thorley makes some headers that will work perfectly. Check out my build thread to see how they look.

[mrhino]

If it were easy everyone would have 5.3's in there ride. it can be done. 67c10bub right above has a great build thread as well as mine read though them there a chucked full of great info. by the way I used Sanderson headers along with the CPP tubular mounts.
To be honest if you are really that frustrated with just engine mounts, you will have a long road in front of you. I can't speak for others but I thought dropping in the engine was the easiest thing I did in my project.

here is a pick of left and right sides

[1972RedNeck]

Originally Posted by Thrmn8r

All I can say now is shoot me.

OK

Shoot Me

[RenoKeene]

Be patient and pay attention...these guys are very smart.
Good Luck.

[john]

Heres a link to the engine and drivetrain section. LS engine swap sticky at top of page. Lots of swap info.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...play.php?f=206

[brad_man_72]

camaro manifolds, vette manifolds. I used speed and performance engine plates stock mounts and towers. I am running the swap eaders. And I had waitformeperformance hack my harness. Good luck it's a pretty easy swap with tons of info here, ls1tech and other sites.
btw a 5.3 is a lm4 not a ls1

[rpmgroup]

Bugs! I still laugh, but somedays I feel like daffy

[Hubscrub]

Bugs and Daffy love it Good luck with your build.

[trkfrk]

I installed the Doug Thorley's they fit like a glove. You can find them for under $500 shipped.

[Thrmn8r]

TrkFRK
Thanks for info..
On the Doug Thorley Headers..
Which ones ?
Do you search on the Doug T web site for a 68 GMC or a 2002 Silverado ??
Do the headers hit the fire wall ??
What brand are your tubular motor mount supports ??

[eagleuh1]

You better relax and take a deep breath now, because theres lots of little pieces of this puzzle that will have you scratching your head. I used 6 cyl stands on mine with plates I made from internet patterns from LS1tech.com. Also, Doug Thorley headers are great. Went with Lokar cable column shifter. Had to do some mods to it though. AGood luck. Lots of info hear and LS1Tech. Jim

[brad_man_72]

the doug torley headers are swap specific for the 67-72 chevvy truck with an ls based engine. There are other much cheaper alternatives most require frame modification. Just rememer custom trucks don't come in a box, it takes work.

[trkfrk]

Originally Posted by Thrmn8r

TrkFRK
Thanks for info..
On the Doug Thorley Headers..
Which ones ?
Do you search on the Doug T web site for a 68 GMC or a 2002 Silverado ??
Do the headers hit the fire wall ??
What brand are your tubular motor mount supports ??

Doug Thorley's part # is THY-324Y-C fits LS1/C10 1967-1972. Order from them direct and tell them your a member of this forum for an additional 10% off (promo discount). They clear the firewall and frame nicely.

Mounts are from CPP part #CPLS1-K. You can upgrade the mounts to poly urethane (which I did). Both the mounts and headers I did NO modifications. I did move my engine back from original mounting point an 1 1/2" for the oil pan to clear the front cross member (drilled new & welded old holes in the frame before I powder coated.

[Thrmn8r]

Your gonna laugh.. but just picked up second try on the new rims today.
First round came in with dings and casting issues.
This round came in the wrong bolt pattern.
Boss 338 !! Chrome.. Good taste.

I will look into the headers. Got no other choice. But at least I know I can continue on with body work and paint. Thanks for help.. will be back for more as I get into the rest of the headache..
Yes.. it will all be worth it. I just want to see my dads face when he see's his old truck he custom ordered back in 68. Back to the original Butternut Yellow.. with a few mods , Shorter, Lower, Better gas milage, louder, faster. and YELLOW again.. NOT Blue..not sure what he was thinking.!!

[brad_man_72]

great pics thanks for sharing!

[ls1nova71]

Just take your time and don't over think things and you'll be fine. As for shift linkage, I just use the factory linkage moved bact to line up with the shift shaft on the trans, it's not all that hard to do. Here's a link to my last truck I built, if you need something to read or get ideas from. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html

That's real cool you're fixing up a truck your dad bought new, those memories are priceless. Was it originally Butternut yellow with red interior? Never seen that combo before.

Also, do you have a build thread? I'd like to see more pics!

[mrhino]

not to add fuel to your fire but you do know those 338 wont just bolt on right?

[eagleuh1]

Ahhh, and more pieces to the puzzle that just don't seem to fit anywhere! Good luck with your build. They're fun when they're done, after all the headaches are worked through. On one note, I don't think you can use the stock tranny shift mechanism with the Doug Thorley headers or other headers for that matter. They take up too much of the space on the drivers side to fit the shift mechanism, rods and levers on the frame and such. I'll have to look at mine today just to be sure, but I think thats the reason I went with the Lokar cable shifter thing. And thats it own headache. LOL. LS1Nova71 was a lot of inspiration and ideas on my build as well. You'd do well to look at his build thread. Jim

[eagleuh1]

Oh, and great vintage pics of a family heirloom. Which one is you in those pics? Jim

[Thrmn8r]

I am the one on the tractor when the truck was Blue.

What is the "issue" with the 338s ??
Please tell me it is not so. I have not even been able to bolt either set on yet due to the incompetence of my local wheel and tire store.
Now I get to wait probably another month.

Yes.. Butternut Yellow with Red interior was what the old man custom ordered and that is how she is gonna go back.
With a little flair.
Yellow body & inside with white roof. Plus.. planning on putting metallic flake in the paint to give it some pop.

Spoke to the tire guys today.
I have ordered 20" x 10" for the rear w/ 295 40R20's and 20"x8.5" in the front with 275 40R 20's.
He was concerned about them not fitting.( the tires) Any suggestions ?? I think they will be fine, but until I can actually bolt them on.. who knows !!
Got some pics.. but have to down load them all.
First pic is cab on frame with old oak boards my dad hand made 25 years ago.. just sanded and refinished ! Looks like a reclaimed hard wood floor.. black bolt holes and all.

[PanelDeland]

Welcome!!! You seem to be eating an Elephant.You do that one bite at a time.Break it up into tasks and do one then move on.The LS swaps seem to be a great deal for these trucks though they do get pricey.Good luck with the build and keep us posted.

[Street Smart]

I had a similar problem, i cut the brackets and mounted them under the frame.

[mrhino]

the wheel wont set all the way flush on the rotor unless the rotor is machined. and I beleive the rear if your running 20's needs a spacer. I ran 18's so i didnt use a spacer. im not sure but it looks like in your pictures, you still have the 6 lug. are you changing this? are you putting disc all the way around? the last I knew 338 only came in 5 lug.