My 69 C-10 + 5.3
#1
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
My 69 C-10 + 5.3
I am almost ready to get my 69 C-10 running.
I originally got it with a nice 350 engine which had the usual bolt ons. A Comp 268XE cam, an Edelbrock RPM intake, 3310 Holley carb, flat hyper pistons, pocket ported stock heads and long tube headers and a 700R4 tranny.
Since I already have a Chevelle to play with (which is getting an L92 headed 6.0, but has not run because it is in "paint jail), I decided to go for something a bit more economic.
I had planned to drop in a 305 with a small economy cam and a well tuned Q-jet...
I originally got it with a nice 350 engine which had the usual bolt ons. A Comp 268XE cam, an Edelbrock RPM intake, 3310 Holley carb, flat hyper pistons, pocket ported stock heads and long tube headers and a 700R4 tranny.
Since I already have a Chevelle to play with (which is getting an L92 headed 6.0, but has not run because it is in "paint jail), I decided to go for something a bit more economic.
I had planned to drop in a 305 with a small economy cam and a well tuned Q-jet...
#2
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
But then I came across a Gen III engine and the conversion began.
I really am not even sure if it is a 5.3 or a 4.8 yet, though I think it is the latter one. I believe the only way is to take a look at the pistons and look for flat for a 4.8 or dished for a 5.3... is this correct, or are there any other ways to know?
Then I got into this long swap, since I only devote very little time, it has taken me way longer than it should.
I replaced the 700R4 with a 4L60E, to take advantage of the ECM controlling shifts and all that.
I reworked a stock harness and will be using a computer from an 02 Silverado with a 4.8 and a 4L60E tranny.
I really am not even sure if it is a 5.3 or a 4.8 yet, though I think it is the latter one. I believe the only way is to take a look at the pistons and look for flat for a 4.8 or dished for a 5.3... is this correct, or are there any other ways to know?
Then I got into this long swap, since I only devote very little time, it has taken me way longer than it should.
I replaced the 700R4 with a 4L60E, to take advantage of the ECM controlling shifts and all that.
I reworked a stock harness and will be using a computer from an 02 Silverado with a 4.8 and a 4L60E tranny.
#3
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
I am trying my hardest to keep it stock, specially since I have the cam I removed from my 6.0 whispering to me from the shelf. And that is the cam used by GMPP to create the 327/327.
But I am proud of myself as I resisted the urge and the engine went in with no modifications and will be using a simple performance tune very similar to what Hypertech or Superchips does.
I removed all emission related sensors and I run no cats with two 2.5" pipes merging into a 3" single pipe then onto a Flowmaster.
I am using the stock 12 bolt rearend.
But I am proud of myself as I resisted the urge and the engine went in with no modifications and will be using a simple performance tune very similar to what Hypertech or Superchips does.
I removed all emission related sensors and I run no cats with two 2.5" pipes merging into a 3" single pipe then onto a Flowmaster.
I am using the stock 12 bolt rearend.
#5
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
I did give it a red paint coat. After all, they say red engines go faster, huh?
I was using the standard mounts "S&P style" i believe are called.
But then I decided to raise the engine a bit to level the oil pan bottom flush with the crossmemberand the engine looks a bit better than sunk in the bottom of the engine bay.
The fourth picture is showing the engine with the standard mounts.
I was using the standard mounts "S&P style" i believe are called.
But then I decided to raise the engine a bit to level the oil pan bottom flush with the crossmemberand the engine looks a bit better than sunk in the bottom of the engine bay.
The fourth picture is showing the engine with the standard mounts.
#6
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
I wanted to keep the truck intake because of the low end torque, but mainly because of the savings since I already had it.
However the thing is hideous to look at, and my problem is I personally do not like to put a cover on top of the engine, the concept sounds like a mini hood under the big hood? makes no sense to me.
When you pop up the hood you want to look at the engine, not another cover!
The answer, give the truck intake a little make up... It looks nice all shiny and smooth.
And I also gave the exhaust manifolds a little smoothing with a grinder for a sleeker look.
However the thing is hideous to look at, and my problem is I personally do not like to put a cover on top of the engine, the concept sounds like a mini hood under the big hood? makes no sense to me.
When you pop up the hood you want to look at the engine, not another cover!
The answer, give the truck intake a little make up... It looks nice all shiny and smooth.
And I also gave the exhaust manifolds a little smoothing with a grinder for a sleeker look.
#7
Intake looks alot better!
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#13
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
I used Truck manifolds. These in particular are from my 02 6.0, but they are nearly identical to the 5.3 ones, at least exyternally since when seen side by side the 6.0's look to have slightly bigger holes, probably to mate with the 317 heads' D port.
One thing though, they did not clear the framerails, the drivers side hit and the passenger side barely cleared.
So I had them angle milled at the head flange face, milling about .200" from the bottom so the lower end would tilt inwards. That seems to have done the trick.
They do look cleaner by grinding the casting lines and heat shield mounts though.
One thing though, they did not clear the framerails, the drivers side hit and the passenger side barely cleared.
So I had them angle milled at the head flange face, milling about .200" from the bottom so the lower end would tilt inwards. That seems to have done the trick.
They do look cleaner by grinding the casting lines and heat shield mounts though.
#14
Staging Lane
Thread Starter
Also, thanks for the nice replies, I am enjoying this build a lot, these trucks are very special to me since my Dad had one of these, a 72 Super C-10 with a factory 402 BBC, just when I was learning how to drive, the memories inprinted on a young drivers mind are unforgettable, that truck was a tire frying king -at least that's how I remember it.
Too bad I will not be able to share this build with my Dad for now, I'll have to wait untill wee meet again at my Heavenly Fathers place to tell him about it.
However my build is not a full on resto like the ones I've seen here. This truck will be not only my daily driver but also the shop truck therefore it will not be detailed to the max.
I intend to keep it Rat style, both because I like the look and so as to be able to leave it at the parking lot and not worry whether someone is leaning on the shiny paint. It will wear a black suede outfit.
And since I do not have a grille, I even plan on doing a grille similar to the one on the Get Shorty project from Classic trucks and I love the pancaked hood. The only thing I will/would change is finer grille tubes or fins.
I just need to get it running first. That will probably happen tomorrow.
I will post it as soon as it happens.
Too bad I will not be able to share this build with my Dad for now, I'll have to wait untill wee meet again at my Heavenly Fathers place to tell him about it.
However my build is not a full on resto like the ones I've seen here. This truck will be not only my daily driver but also the shop truck therefore it will not be detailed to the max.
I intend to keep it Rat style, both because I like the look and so as to be able to leave it at the parking lot and not worry whether someone is leaning on the shiny paint. It will wear a black suede outfit.
And since I do not have a grille, I even plan on doing a grille similar to the one on the Get Shorty project from Classic trucks and I love the pancaked hood. The only thing I will/would change is finer grille tubes or fins.
I just need to get it running first. That will probably happen tomorrow.
I will post it as soon as it happens.
#15
Reply
I used Truck manifolds. These in particular are from my 02 6.0, but they are nearly identical to the 5.3 ones, at least exyternally since when seen side by side the 6.0's look to have slightly bigger holes, probably to mate with the 317 heads' D port.
One thing though, they did not clear the framerails, the drivers side hit and the passenger side barely cleared.
So I had them angle milled at the head flange face, milling about .200" from the bottom so the lower end would tilt inwards. That seems to have done the trick.
They do look cleaner by grinding the casting lines and heat shield mounts though.
One thing though, they did not clear the framerails, the drivers side hit and the passenger side barely cleared.
So I had them angle milled at the head flange face, milling about .200" from the bottom so the lower end would tilt inwards. That seems to have done the trick.
They do look cleaner by grinding the casting lines and heat shield mounts though.
#16
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Nice project, did you ever figure out if it was a 5.3 or 4.8, If not there is a tab on the head gasket that sticks out past the head and block which has the displacement etched on it, they are sometimes rusted and hard to read though. Saw it on another post will post a link if I can find it again.