Gary's 65...........Final Chapter

[kwhizz]

A little past history of Gary's car........A couple years ago we added ridetech Coil-over suspension...Disc Brakes.....A/C......Aluminum Radiator and Electric Fans........anticipating the future swap of a LS engine into the car........Well.....The time is here.....Gary ordered a GM connect and cruise set-up........LS3 (480 H.P.) and a 4L70 trans.....
So......Gary pulled the big block out at his house and brought the car over yesterday at 10 am......We swapped out the LS3 pan for a Holley 302-1 pan and some motor mount adaptor plates that I made up to raise the engine slightly to clear the front crossmember.......the car was originally a 6 cyl Powerglide car.....at some time in its past it was converted over to a 454 /turbo 400 car....... and during that swap, there was a second set of trans crossmember mounts welded in for the turbo 400 position......so....we had two sets of mounts on the frame......Works out easy for me as the new set-up uses the rear holes on the front mounts........a little sawzall action and I'll make up a couple small plates tomorrow to fill in the gap between the mounts and the everything is as simple as it can get......anyhow.....by 2 0'clock had the engine in and were finished for the day....
Here are some conversion pics............

[andrewb70]

You're getting really good at these swaps Ken!

Do yourself a favor and ditch the rubber gaskets on that fuel pump. Get the **** and slather with aviation sealer.

Andrew

[Dave B]

Man, that is sweet!

[wfo guy]

Looking good!

[kwhizz]

You're getting really good at these swaps Ken!

Do yourself a favor and ditch the rubber gaskets on that fuel pump. Get the **** and slather with aviation sealer.

Andrew

Aviation Sealer ???????

[Josh@Ridetech]

Clean car!

[xsboost90]

http://www.hisco.com/Catalog/Adhesiv...FQ1ahgodchMGcg

use this stuff and a cork gasket- rubber seals tend to leak.

[kwhizz]

Thanks............................

Ken

[kwhizz]

After getting the engine and trans in we checked for clearance issues with the trans........had only one spot that need a little massaging.........pulled the engine out and fixed the clearance issue correctly......and before putting the engine in for the final time.......we installed the wiring harnesses.........LOL.....I had a plug for the MAP sensor that didn't fit.......after a while I called Pace Performance where the engine came from and talked to a Tech guy..........I explained the problem.......His response was classic........"Did you read the Instructions"..........then added....."look in the Envelope in the box for the adaptor harness"...........Duhhh!!!..................Anyho w we got it back in with all the wires and then installed the Kwik Performance front drive set-up.......Moving along

[Motown 454]

Ken's LS swap Hot Rod shop!

[andrewb70]

http://www.hisco.com/Catalog/Adhesiv...FQ1ahgodchMGcg

use this stuff and a cork gasket- rubber seals tend to leak.

That's the stuff. A good Napa store will have it in stock. My black rubber gaskets swelled up after the first tank of gas over a period of about 30 days.

Andrew

[kwhizz]

Update..............Got a lot of little Important things done.........Fuel system, all engine mounts in and ready to go......got the control modules and fuse panel installed.......(notice all the wires are almost gone).......some of the old wires are still in place and will be removed as required.....Driveshaft was shortened a couple inches.....the Air Intake system will be finished today along with mounting the DBW gas pedal.........Getting closer

[andrewb70]

Ken,

Great update. I would reconsider using those AN adapters with the plastic clips that you have on the Corvette filter/regulator.

Andrew

[kwhizz]

They came with the kit.........Hummm.......Gotcha........

[dontlifttoshift]

Andrew, these are not the same garbage clips that you used to get with the russell fittings. I haven't had any issues with these at all.

[andrewb70]

Andrew, these are not the same garbage clips that you used to get with the russell fittings. I haven't had any issues with these at all.

Donny,

That's good to know. I am just so paranoid because of the many instances of failure. Earl's makes nice fittings that have OEM style metal clips and also a secondary safety clip. The newer Russell fittings are good too...

Andrew

[kwhizz]

One week of just a couple hours a day........Here we are......Got the air intake system completed.....Had to find a new spot to mount the Power Steering reservoir as the inlet tube needed the space.....Got that resolved......hooked up the starter wires and spun the engine over.....Ordered fittings for the transmission cooler lines where they come out of the trans........Wanted to get that completed, but.....I guess I ordered the wrong fittings as they didn't fit........Darn.....We also got the correct Serpentine belt installed along with the Radiator.........Also got the gas pedal installed and plugged in...Getting closer.....

[kwhizz]

Update........Got all the wiring except for the dash finished.......got the shift linkage and Dakota Digital Position Indicator finished.......Got the Power Steering hoses all installed........Got the Radiator and Heater hoses finished......All that's left to do is to get the Transmission cooling lines installed (Hopefully the correct fittings will show up today).......Now it's time to get inside and get the Dakota Digital dash installed.........Then off to the Exhaust shop.......The Engine compartment looks a lot better with all the wires gone........

[Shacks67NR]

You make it look easy. Great stuff here. Thanks!!

[kwhizz]

Got a lot done today.........Took the dash out and got the Dakota Digital gauges installed......Got the transmission cooler fittings and lines installed......(thanks Tom Munch)......Radiator is full.....Just need to get the Dakota Digital modules hooked up so we have the gauges working when we start it......Going for exhaust on Monday.....