Here we go, 70 C-20 with a 5.3

[oteixeira]

Well,

I finally bit the bullet and purchased my package today. Tell me if I overspent, I am worried I did. I got:

2005 FlexFuel 5.3 (L59) Silverado motor
4l60e trans
harness, w/ on board computer
Under hood fuse box
Gas peddle and module that plugs into the computer (I guess)

I paid 2200 for all this, it has 32K miles on it.

I am putting it into my '70 Chevy C-20, and will start to have some pictures soon. I ordered the Early Classic Gen III motor mounts, and they are (hopefully) on the way. I also ordered an 18 gallon fuel cell with fuel pump internal from fuelcellguy. So, what gotchas do I need to worry about?

The couple of things I always wonder about are gauges...are their pin outs for all the gauges on the computer, or do I need to get all new senders and drill and tap them into the block?

Also, The wire harness on these old trucks had half going to the front electrics, and the second half going to the engine, so can I just ignore the engine side of the fuse block and just re-connect the light's and accessories from the other side of that harness?

Thanks,

Orlando

[oteixeira]

OK,

Here it is before I started to tear it down...





And here it is as of about a week ago:




PS: I know she's ugly and rusty, but she gets the job done.

Orlando

[72BlckButy]

Orlando, a project is a project, and rust is always going to be there.

Good luck with the build! I can't wait to see the 5.3 in there, keep us posted!!!!

[68 short step]

i see red x's......but i look forward to seeing the set-up

[oteixeira]

Stupid Geocities, it says they are doing maintenance, come back later.

Orlando

[Hart_Rod]

Looks like you've got a good start. There's a lot of info on here about the 5.3/4L60E installs, 68 SS has done several, Shifty is working on one with a T5, I'm doing one in a 69 Burb and 67 4 Door Crew Cab and plenty more that I can't remember. Spend a lot of time reading, measuring and asking questions before you spend a lot of $$$$. There's many lessons learned on here, .

[oteixeira]

Had a little fun today:

Paper Weight:


I need a pressure washer:


Profile shot:


Funny lookin guy with a bunch of parts:


Orlando

[68 short step]

looks like fun

[finch]

loving the H2's man. did they bolt right up? where'd you get conversion lugs?

[oteixeira]

Finch,

The lugs I bought off a guy on ebay, he sells them all the time. That is the only thing you have to change up because the metric lugs wont work on the SAE thread of course. The rims themselves fit perfect, like they were made for the truck. I also bought a set of chrome Chevy center caps, and just need to trim them about 1/8 inch to make them fit right, that will come when she is back under her own power.

Orlando

[RaceAGMC]

Welcome from Charlotte, looks like u have a good start, keep it going.

[oteixeira]

Well,

Here is a status. The engine will be here (they say) tomorrow. It is scheduled for delivery at least, so I have my fingers crossed. I also found a person that is about 1 hour away that has a mid 80s suburban that I am going to cut the whole front crossmember and brake setup out of, so that will add a little to the build time, but hey, more pictures and changes. Hmmm, I just had a thought, I hope that doesn't mess up the install on the Early Classic motor mounts. Hopefully at worst I just have to drill an extra few holes. I just couldn't leave it drums up front while I had it stripped so far down. Anyway, I hope to have pics of the 5.3 motor up here tomorrow.

Orlando

[oteixeira]

Well,

The motor arrived this morning (a day late). I got some things I wasn't expecting, and didn't get others I was expecting. So, they did not send the gas pedel and modual for it, so I have a call in to them. I also did not get the under hood fuse box as we agreed to. Also, the engine cover was missing, and the pins on the passenger side of the throttle body was damaged, so I am going to ask them to replace the whole throttle body. Now, I did get all the hoses for the radiator (odd), and the overflow bottle. I also got the fuel lines back to a box that is square and says Siemens on it. It has the two lines going in and a computer connection, any guesses as to what it is? I guess I better go take those pics I promised y'all!

Orlando

[oteixeira]

Broken TB pins:



Engine shots:




Orlando

[68 short step]

now the real fun begins......its not a big deal on the broken and missing peices, easy to find/replace...

[oteixeira]

As it turns out, they had a box with those parts that didn't make it onto the delivery truck. It will be here tomorrow. Also, they said they would get me a replacement TB off another truck motor (they had a few more with more miles then this one).

Orlando

[oteixeira]

Wow, I have neglected my build thread. Sorry guys! Anyway, let's see, since I left you last, I got the box of all the engine parts that were missing, and I received my tank from FuelCellGuy!



I picked up a disc brake front end:



Then I pressure washed the front of the truck, and removed the old front end :





Tomorrow I will have to take more pics, as since this I have Por-15ed the new front end and the rails on the frame. Next is go over and touch up if needed, then I will be putting the crossmember in place, and installing my ECE gen iii motor mounts. Have a great night!

Orlando

[msgross]

why not just get the frame blasted before you POR it?

nice project, good luck...

[oteixeira]

Mike,

For one, it's not, nor will it ever be, a show truck, I am going to use it for farm work and to enjoy. Second, to blast it I would need a way to get it to the blaster, which I don't have, since this is my only truck. I don't think my little craftsman 5HP compressor with 30 gallon tank could handle a blaster here. It's says you can paint right over rust, are you telling my that they are BSing me when they say that?? I just want it to not be all rusted under the shiny nice engine. I appreciate the suggestion, I just am not going to be doing it as "top notch" as some of the builds you see on here.

Orlando

[thirdstreettito]

Originally Posted by msgross

why not just get the frame blasted before you POR it?

nice project, good luck...

Probably doesnt want to take the whole truck apart...

[msgross]

I would at least take a grinder with a wire wheel to it then... I understand about the blaster but you should knock the heavy stuff off.....

Yes, I think you can paint it on over rust but while you have it down to this point then you will be happier later with it freshened up....

[oteixeira]

The pressure washer actually did a real good job of getting the nasty off of the rails, it looks worse then it is in that picture. Anyway, off to bed, tomorrow is another day I can be working on the truck!

Orlando

[oteixeira]

Here are the pictures I talked about yesterday. I still need to do a second coat on all of this, but it already looks much better!








That's it for now,

Orlando

[msgross]

it does look better...

[oteixeira]

Thanks Mike,

I just came in from the second coat. I hope for it to be a lot more even after this, and tomorrow I am going to try to find some time to throw the crossmember in there and bolt it up.

Orlando