Poll: Pulling the front clip? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevy72blu · 07-23-2012, 02:34 PM

I am just about ready to drop the motor in. In all of the swaps I have done on my truck (SBC and BBC) I have never pulled the front clip. I know it can be done either way, but im curious how YOU did it and what issues you ran into.

softballnrd27 · 07-23-2012, 02:47 PM

I pulled it bc it made it so much easier to drop the LS in and adjust it to where I needed it.

softballnrd27 · 07-23-2012, 02:47 PM

It also made routing the wiring for the motor so much easier.

Indian113 · 07-23-2012, 04:09 PM

I pulled mine on my S10 knowing I would have to pull and install my 5.3 3- 4 times. Just to get everything right.

OldCreek · 07-23-2012, 04:25 PM

Because I installed mine in the street I wanted to be super stealth about it so that the neighbors didn't have a fit.

For the couple days before I undid all the bolts I could. I pulled the rad support, radiator, etc. I left the fenders on (by loosening other bolts). I pretty much had everything lined up and ready to go.

Early on Saturday morning I removed the hood and removed the grill that was hanging by a couple of bolts. I had the original motor/tranny out and sitting in the bed of the truck by about 6:30am and everything put away by 7. The neighbors were none the wiser. The rest of that day I spent washing, cleaning and painting the frame. In the evening I mounted up the ECE mounts. Early the next morning I had the 5.3/4l60e installed early and the neighbors were oblivious, also.

Certainly, there were some hang ups that happened but having the rad support off help me line up the motor and tranny mounts a lot easier and quicker...

I also had the rad support off for the 6.0 install and 8.1 install...but then again they were full project vehicles, also.

nibs · 07-23-2012, 07:38 PM

I plan on taking mine off for my install. However I am installing a dropmember and some other goodies as well

BR3W CITY · 07-23-2012, 08:27 PM

Didn't bother pulling mine, just yanked the radiator out to make room. Putting the engine and trans in together was no problem, just requires spending an extra $30 for a load leveler for the engine hoist.

ls1nova71 · 07-23-2012, 10:10 PM

I'd pull it! Having the front clip out of the way makes it much easier when swapping in an engine that didn't originally come in your truck. If your're absolutely sure your parts are going to work and you'll only have to put it in once then it would definitley be easier to leave the front clip on, but in my experience things never go that smoothly.

OldCreek · 07-24-2012, 11:22 AM

I've seen pictures of the rad support upper crossmember being a removable item....

chevy72blu · 07-24-2012, 01:15 PM

Well you guys have just about convinced me. Its just another one of those things though... I want to start making progress, not take more of it apart!

Im sure the factory assembly manual will guide me through

FrankieD · 07-24-2012, 01:29 PM

If you are going same for same leave it, there is plenty of room leave it on saves a lot of realignment problems

67swb72klb · 07-24-2012, 01:30 PM

i think it would be worth the effort not that hard anyway as long as you have the extra room

68Stepbed · 07-24-2012, 03:59 PM

I would imagine it would make it alot easier, but I only removed the hood on mine, and I still had plenty of room. I just had to be extra careful since all my underhood is paint matched.

View Poll Results: Did you pull your front clip to install your LSX?
Yes, Pulled it!	12	66.67%
Nope, didnt need to!	6	33.33%
Other (problems with either method, etc)	0	0%
Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll

07-23-2012, 02:34 PM	#1
chevy72blu Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,188	Poll: Pulling the front clip? I am just about ready to drop the motor in. In all of the swaps I have done on my truck (SBC and BBC) I have never pulled the front clip. I know it can be done either way, but im curious how YOU did it and what issues you ran into.

07-23-2012, 02:47 PM	#2
softballnrd27 Always a work in progress Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Harker Heights, TX Posts: 1,599	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? I pulled it bc it made it so much easier to drop the LS in and adjust it to where I needed it. __________________ USMC Retired Never trust a man who can't laugh at his own fart! 2010 Silverado Crew Cab 73 SWB 5.3/4l80e Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695168

07-23-2012, 02:47 PM	#3
softballnrd27 Always a work in progress Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Harker Heights, TX Posts: 1,599	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? It also made routing the wiring for the motor so much easier. __________________ USMC Retired Never trust a man who can't laugh at his own fart! 2010 Silverado Crew Cab 73 SWB 5.3/4l80e Build Thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=695168

07-23-2012, 04:09 PM	#4
Indian113 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Monroe,Iowa Posts: 4,370	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? I pulled mine on my S10 knowing I would have to pull and install my 5.3 3- 4 times. Just to get everything right.

07-23-2012, 04:25 PM	#5
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? Because I installed mine in the street I wanted to be super stealth about it so that the neighbors didn't have a fit. For the couple days before I undid all the bolts I could. I pulled the rad support, radiator, etc. I left the fenders on (by loosening other bolts). I pretty much had everything lined up and ready to go. Early on Saturday morning I removed the hood and removed the grill that was hanging by a couple of bolts. I had the original motor/tranny out and sitting in the bed of the truck by about 6:30am and everything put away by 7. The neighbors were none the wiser. The rest of that day I spent washing, cleaning and painting the frame. In the evening I mounted up the ECE mounts. Early the next morning I had the 5.3/4l60e installed early and the neighbors were oblivious, also. Certainly, there were some hang ups that happened but having the rad support off help me line up the motor and tranny mounts a lot easier and quicker... I also had the rad support off for the 6.0 install and 8.1 install...but then again they were full project vehicles, also. __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

07-23-2012, 07:38 PM	#6
nibs JRods Garage Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Highland, CA Posts: 1,098	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? I plan on taking mine off for my install. However I am installing a dropmember and some other goodies as well __________________ Orange Julius-My dropmember'd, LS'd, SWB street machine...

07-23-2012, 08:27 PM	#7
BR3W CITY meowMEOWmeowMEOW Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: MKE WI Posts: 7,128	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? Didn't bother pulling mine, just yanked the radiator out to make room. Putting the engine and trans in together was no problem, just requires spending an extra $30 for a load leveler for the engine hoist. __________________ *'66 Short Step / SD Tuned / Big Cam LQ4 / Backhalfed /Built 4l80e / #REBUILDEVERYTHING* MY BUILD THE H8RDCPTR //\\ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL REV J HD

07-23-2012, 10:10 PM	#8
ls1nova71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Independence Mo Posts: 4,118	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? I'd pull it! Having the front clip out of the way makes it much easier when swapping in an engine that didn't originally come in your truck. If your're absolutely sure your parts are going to work and you'll only have to put it in once then it would definitley be easier to leave the front clip on, but in my experience things never go that smoothly. __________________ My '72 short bed build. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...6-0-4l80e.html 5.3 swap into my RUSTY '71 C10 http://ls1tech.com/forums/conversion...71-c-10-a.html

07-24-2012, 11:22 AM	#9
OldCreek Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Coast California Posts: 1,026	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? I've seen pictures of the rad support upper crossmember being a removable item.... __________________ 1972 K20 Suburban 5.7/700r4/NP205 Dana 44/H052 Sold 1972 C10 5.3L/4L60E 12bolt 5Lug - Sold 1971 K5 Blazer 6.0L LQ9 4L60E NP205 Dana 44/H052!!! 1970 K3500 1ton CrewCab 8.1L/Allison1000/NP205 Dana 60/14B!!!! - Sold 1984 K10 SWB 7.4L/4L80e/NP208 Corp 10/12 bolt Sold 1988 V30 CCLB 7.4L/TH400/NP205/Dana 60/Dana 70/3.73!!! (Sold) 2003 K2500HD 8.1/Allison1000/NP263

07-24-2012, 01:15 PM	#10
chevy72blu Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 2,188	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? Well you guys have just about convinced me. Its just another one of those things though... I want to start making progress, not take more of it apart! Im sure the factory assembly manual will guide me through

07-24-2012, 01:29 PM	#11
FrankieD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Gilberts IL. Posts: 2,488	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? If you are going same for same leave it, there is plenty of room leave it on saves a lot of realignment problems __________________ 94 k2500 EXCab Long Bed 350ci New Toy 95 K2500 Suburban New PlowTruck 454ci Support our Troops @ http://anyairman.com http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

07-24-2012, 01:30 PM	#12
67swb72klb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: livingston co.mi Posts: 2,452	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? i think it would be worth the effort not that hard anyway as long as you have the extra room __________________ California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project

07-24-2012, 03:59 PM	#13
68Stepbed Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: 10-Uh-See Posts: 5,609	Re: Poll: Pulling the front clip? I would imagine it would make it alot easier, but I only removed the hood on mine, and I still had plenty of room. I just had to be extra careful since all my underhood is paint matched. __________________ Matt 68 C10 stepside, LS1/700R4, TCI Engineering suspension system



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