CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Ditto...

kwhizz

Getting ready for the Engine install soon.….

kwhizz

Well..... Got the engine in and now that wide open engine compartment is getting full...… Mainly on the driver side....When Jeff had the car converted to 4 wheel disc brakes previously.....they used the space available with the SBC in place while changing from the floor pedal to the firewall mount power system.....So...… A couple of things popped up after getting the LS 3 in place...#1... I think we may have to change the power booster assy over to a Hydro-Boost system to gain needed space (Vacuum Booster and Coils are fighting for the same space) to provide the needed space and still provide Judy with the Braking she needs...…… #2...…. I installed a Holley 302-2 pan.....Thought there would be plenty of room...…. LOL....We will have to change the pan out to a 302-1...… (Centerlink hit's the -2 pan while going thru the steering range..... The -1 has an additional 1 1/2 clearance)…… The sump area is shorter on the -1 pan......Things you find out as the process continues.....Darn !!!!………. I'm making a new trans crossmember tomorrow so that with get the engine mounting completed...…Also it seems like there is going to be a major clearance issue with the driver side exhaust The next problem for another day...….. Two steps forward, one step back...…..

user 4737373

Looks like you’re chipping away at it Ken. Could you benefit from putting some offset in the engine location towards the passenger side? Are those cars factory configured with any engine/transmission offset, or were they mounted along the chassis centerline?

kwhizz

Yes…….. But I would have to move it a good inch + to have any effect...…..The mounts that were originally installed by the previous owner were offset to mount the engine towards the drivers side ????? But it's only 1/4"...…… That would be the easiest fix but then we would get into driveline issues...…..

user 4737373

Is the rear end pinion centered in the frame, or offset to one side or the other?

kwhizz

Centered and the frame has a X member so the yoke would need to be centered with the X member...…..

kwhizz

Todd I was at Frame-up Wheelworks today and he had a car in there with the Hooker Cast manifolds on it...….. I think they might work as they are designed to be very close to the block...…. Gonna try them....

user 4737373

They might work for you Ken, just be aware that there are a couple of different sets available now. The ones with the tightest tucked geometry are what were developed during the S10 truck development project, which are part number 71223026HKR...they give a lot more clearance on the driver side than the 8501HKR or 8502HKR manifolds do.

G Atsma

That should help in other apps with tight steering box fits, right?

user 4737373

Yes, it should.

kwhizz

Fantastic...…. You guy's are the "Best" !!!!!!!!!!

kwhizz

So.… The Pontiac has a "X" frame unlike Chevy's.... and with this conversion with the 4L70E being longer I had to make a new trans crossmember...….. The existing one was just a piece of 3/8" thick flat steel...…… Didn't like that so I wanted to make one out of "C" channel to resist the bowing from the weight...… I searched around the shop and couldn't find what I needed and didn't want to wait for a piece to be delivered so I found a piece of 2 1/2" 1/4" wall square tubing and ended up with what I wanted ….. LOL......Pic's will show the process...… Got it done and transferred the holes thru to the "X" member and Bingo...…. Finished.....

Made a quick sketch of where I wanted to end up

user 4737373

Well executed Ken, I like when things get worked out in a simple manner. Is the exhaust going to be routed through the oval holes in the X-bracing above the crossmember?

kwhizz

Thru the oval holes...…….. Gonna order the exhaust manifolds today ……….. Thanks again for your help !!!!!!

Ken

kwhizz

Swapped put the pans today...…. If you are doing a LS swap into a 55-57 Buick, Olds, or Pontiac the 302-1 Pan is the one you need...…. Fits perfect.....

user 4737373

Looks good in there...that pan still has a needed place in the Holley oil pan line up.

kwhizz

The pieces are falling together...…. After getting the Exhaust manifold issue resolved (hopefully)………. The next thing that could have become an issue was the power brake booster positioning...…. Was thinking of changing to a Hydra-Boost to get more room between the Coils and the vacuum booster...… But.... After taking some time to think about it I took the last coil off and the coils and bracket assy fit right on...…. So... I have to add some clearance in the booster mounting bracket and make a offset mount for the last coil...… Just saved Jeff and Judy a lot of $$$$…… And..... Another concern was the positioning of the upper control arms on the Pontiac suspension in relation to the front drive assy...…. I got all the dimensions from Donnie at Frame-up and made a cardboard template of the power steering pump position...…. Bingo.... Looks like a winner...…. (those famous last words)…..LOL.....Tomorrow the steering column will be permanently mounted to the firewall and the cable shifter will be installed in addition to getting the last coil repositioned.....

kwhizz

So.…… Jeff and Judy decided to go with a Hydra-Boost braking system ….. Good Choice !!!!!...… Ordered...… The exhaust on the drivers side was going to be a problem...… We ordered a set of Holley S-10 manifolds and when they came in.... I test fit them and due to the #605 steering box placement and the actual shape of the manifold it just wasn't going to work......I ended up trying the stock manifold again and noticed that if I ground of a portion of the steering box it would work...… we will be returning the Holley units as this odd combination just didn't work...….Spent the morning today pulling the steering box in and out grinding and fitting.....



Also I received the Hydra-Boost system, and while the person who installed the Swinging pedal assy did a great job....Guess what...…. It mounts with completely different bolt pattern..... LOL...…. I removed the old stuff and will be making a new mounting plate and reworking the firewall to suit.....It never ends...…. LOL

kwhizz

Today was a good day...…. No steps back.….LOL..... We are putting on a Holley front drive set-up...….Very well engineered kit..... But..... The hardest thing to do on a LS engine is to change the Harmonic Balancer...… Need I say any more..... Got that changed..... Installed the coils, Plug wires, passenger side exhaust, then installed the Holley system…… Waiting for the new power steering pump to show up for completion……. Here are some pic's from today