1997 K1500 for my '72?

[The Blue Pig]

I have been trying to decide how best to freshen up my old 72 K20. I want fuel injection, I want reliability and I want overdrive. I have been entertaining all sorts of ideas. There is a person here who has an ad online, selling a 1997 K1500. Would this engine/tranny combo be a good idea for my truck? Would a 4L60E not do the trick? Would it mate up with my NP 205 and if so, would I have to locate the engine differently to accommodate the transmission?

[MARKDTN]

97 is a Vortec, so it will bolt right in. As far as the transfer case, I'm not sure but I don't think the splines are the same. You would have to change driveshafts as the 4L60E will move the t-case back.

[57taskforce]

The 205 will work with a new output shaft on the 4l60e... The thing is you've got to have a th-350 205 setup. Adaptor and all.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

97 is a Vortec, so it will bolt right in. As far as the transfer case, I'm not sure but I don't think the splines are the same. You would have to change driveshafts as the 4L60E will move the t-case back.

You can also move the engine forward. That's my preference, because you keep your same driveshafts and T-case mounts. It also gives you a little more clearance between the firewall and the distributor.

[The Blue Pig]

Great! This is exactly what I was looking for. So, there are options, here. I have read quite bit on the OD tranny install, I just wasn't sure if they all would require relocating the engine. If a guy tinkered with the t-case mounts and driveshafts, would it still be necessary to move the engine forward? And if not, which route would be the best?

Originally Posted by truckster

You can also move the engine forward. That's my preference, because you keep your same driveshafts and T-case mounts. It also gives you a little more clearance between the firewall and the distributor.

[The Blue Pig]

Ok, so to further the story on this deal, I went and looked at the truck. It has a 305 vortec. I was pretty dissapointed, but I researched and researched and it looks like for me, just hauling trash, the occasional stoned teenager out of the ditch or hauling my waverunner to the lake, the 305/4L60E application may work out for me. I am not really concerned with a huge horsepower ordeal, here. I just want enough to operate comfortably. The donor truck is loaded, power everything. Including T-case. Can I put this NP243 push button T-case in the 72, patch the hole in the floor from the NP205 shifter and not worry about moving my engine around?

[57taskforce]

The 243 drops on the wrong side. Hence when you do a Solid axle swap to the 90s trucks you've got to use a ford dana 60 rather than a GM, because the ford pumpkin is on the correct side for the gm 243 case.

[The Blue Pig]

Fair enough, then. Sounds like I'd be sticking with the 205 and adapters. Thanks, 57.

[57taskforce]

Originally Posted by The Blue Pig

Fair enough, then. Sounds like I'd be sticking with the 205 and adapters. Thanks, 57.

Nothing is ever easy right? Moving the motor forward shouldnt be too bad if your already gonna be swapping it out to begin with. I've never owned the vortec 305 but I've driven a few and if your not towing much or hauling realy heavy it should be fine for what you describe. The biggest draw back to the 90s vortec small blocks is the central injection and the intake gaskets. While you've got it out of the truck Id throw a set of intake gaskets at it at the very least. Much easier to do before it goes in the truck.