Author Topic: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***  (Read 91361 times)

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #105 on: August 10, 2014, 08:51:40 pm »
Found out the hard way that if you want to run 5/16" brake lines as a transmission cooler line you need to run an adaptor to seal it up.  I put the brake line in and started the truck and atf just poored out on the floor. So lesson learned i need a dorman 800-755 adaptor on each line and then i can have hard cooler lines::)

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #106 on: August 11, 2014, 08:24:42 am »

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #107 on: August 23, 2014, 08:38:09 pm »
Got the front end buttoned up and dropped her down.  Looks like it will be a little too low.......never thought i would say that.  With the stepped lcas i have 3" ground clearance between lca bottom and the ground.  So i ordered some new control arms and we will see how it looks when theu get in.


Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #108 on: September 06, 2014, 07:23:23 pm »


Much better



Now i have to figure out my brake leak from the proportioning valve.  Then i can drive it!!!!

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #109 on: September 09, 2014, 11:39:53 pm »
So I took the truck out and it would not shift at all.  It would just bang the rev limiter.  So fearing the worst that all I had was a one gear transmission I took time off work and made an appointment to get it rebuilt...mm.AGAIN!   As I was driving over there it kept bugging me I had no speedo.  Then it clicked.  Must be the vss since im banging the rev limiter.   

Replaced the vss just to be safe and ohmed the wires at the pcm and they both read short to ground......wierd. 

Then I found this sandwhiched between the trans mount and crossmember......doh!



Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #110 on: September 15, 2014, 08:29:45 pm »
Took the bed off and got the upper mount bar for my rear shocks put in.  Next step is to get my rear rebuilt and get it in there so I can get my mounts finished.



Offline bake74

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #111 on: September 16, 2014, 08:40:19 am »
     Looks good.
#1: The easiest and most obvious solution to any problem is 99% of the time correct.
#2: There is no such thing as impossible, it just takes longer.
  74 k10, 77k10    Tom

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #112 on: September 24, 2014, 07:59:01 pm »
Got my steering box brace and got it installed....


Then decided the other side needed on as well so I copied their design on the other side.  Triangles are strong......

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #113 on: October 14, 2014, 12:25:22 pm »
Dropped it off to my buddies shop to get rid of the heavy 14bff and get my 10 bolt built with an eaton posi and 3.73s.  Also am getting a new shock mount setup welded in and the axle tubes welded up.  Should be pretty buller proof when its done.


Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #114 on: October 15, 2014, 05:01:42 pm »
Got tubes welded posi in and 3.73s installed.  Now im missing the axle spacer kit that came in the posi box.   Always something.  Now when it gets here I can get some two leg action.

Offline frotosride

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #115 on: October 16, 2014, 05:34:48 pm »
Lookin good man. Where did you get the 3 piece Vortex Max engine cover?
"Beat it like a red-headed ford"
1987 v10 Silverado(LQ4), 87 R10,83 K20, 83 cucv 6.2 Detroit
2006 Boulevard M109R 109 cid,2019 M109R BOSS
2009 Jeep XK, (future LS Swap)
GSXR 750 engine awaiting go kart

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #116 on: October 16, 2014, 10:14:40 pm »
I got them from a gm parts store online.  Cant remember which one.  I googled 3 piece engine cover and plugged part numbers into gm until I got a set that all 3 sides said available.

It was only $88 I think plus shipping which put it right over $100. 

Offline FlatBlack77

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #117 on: October 16, 2014, 10:36:04 pm »
i didnt even notice the engine cover is a 3 piece. pretty neato burrito dude im always checkin your thread when u have an update
"When you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail"
'77 C/10 - 350/350 mild street motor

Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #118 on: October 17, 2014, 08:35:53 am »
Well thanks.  Its gunna be a while before my next one.  Got a new project in last night.  Shop totalled the wifes car so she brought it in and put it on the honey do list.  Thus one might take a few days......


Offline Mtrhd329

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Re: ***79 stepside 5.3l/4L60-E Swap***
« Reply #119 on: October 17, 2014, 08:42:05 am »
Some more of the truck...think I need to take a few springs out as the five pack rides kinda stiff.  Im thinking I can survive with three and have a decent ride...